Johnny Winter, along with his brother Edgar Winter, were nurtured at an early age by their parents in musical pursuits. Both he and his brother, who were born with albinism, began performing at an early age. When he was ten-years old, Winter appeared on a local children's show, playing ukelele and singing Everly Brothers songs with his brother.
His recording career began at the age of fifteen, when his band Johnny and the Jammers released "School Day Blues" on a Houston record label. During this same period, he was able to see performances by classic blues artists such as Muddy Waters, B.B. King, and Bobby Bland. In the early days Winter would sometimes sit in with Roy Head and The Traits when they performed in the Beaumont, Texas area, and in 1967, Winter recorded a single with The Traits: "Tramp" backed with "Parchman Farm" (Universal Records 30496). In 1968, he released his first album The Progressive Blues Experiment, on Austin's Sonobeat Records.
Winter caught his biggest break in December 1968, when Mike Bloomfield, whom he met and jammed with in Chicago, invited him to sing and play a song during a Bloomfield and Al Kooper concert at the Fillmore East in New York. As it happened, representatives of Columbia Records (which had released the Top Ten Bloomfield/Kooper Super Session album) were at the concert. Winter played and sang B.B. King's "It's My Own Fault" to loud applause and, within a few days, was signed to reportedly what was then the largest advance in the history of the recording industry–$600,000.
Winter's first Columbia album, Johnny Winter was recorded and released in 1969. It featured the same backing musicians with whom he recorded The Progressive Blues Experiment, bassist Tommy Shannon and drummer Uncle John Turner, plus Edgar Winter on keyboards and saxophone, and (for his "Mean Mistreater") blues legends Willie Dixon on upright bass and Big Walter Horton on harmonica. The album featured a few selections that became Winter signature songs, including his composition "Dallas" (an acoustic blues, on which Winter played a steel-bodied, resonator guitar), John Lee "Sonny Boy" Williamson's "Good Morning Little School Girl", and B.B. King's "Be Careful With A Fool".
The album's success coincided with Imperial Records picking up The Progressive Blues Experiment for wider release. The same year, the Winter trio toured and performed at several rock festivals, including Woodstock. With brother Edgar added as a full member of the group, Winter also recorded his second album, Second Winter in Nashville in 1969. The two-record album, which only had three recorded sides (the fourth was blank), introduced a couple more staples of Winter's concerts, including Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode" and Bob Dylan's "Highway 61 Revisited".
In 1984, Winter began recording for several labels, including Alligator Records and Point Blank Records, where he has focused on blues-oriented material. He continues to perform live, including festivals throughout North America and Europe. Winter has headlined such prestigious events as the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Chicago Blues Festival, Swedish Rock Fest, Warren Haynes X-mas jam, and Europe’s Rockpalast. He also performed with the Allman Brothers at the Beacon Theater in Manhattan on the 40th anniversary of their debut. In 2007 and 2010, Winter performed at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festivals. Two guitar instructional DVDs have been produced by Cherry Lane Music and the Hal Leonard Corporation. The Gibson Guitar Company released the signature Johnny Winter Firebird guitar in a ceremony in Nashville with Slash presenting.
In 2004, Winter received a Grammy nomination for his I’m a Bluesman album. Backing him are guitarist Paul Nelson, bassist Scott Spray, and drummer Vito Liuzzi. Beginning in 2007, a series of live Winter albums titled the Live Bootleg Series and a live DVD have all entered the Top 10 Billboard Blues charts. In 2009, The Woodstock Experience album was released, which includes eight songs that Winter performed at the 1969 festival. Johnny Winter is signed to Megaforce Records, who will release a new studio album titled Roots on September 27, 2011. It will include Winter's interpretation of eleven early blues and rock 'n' roll classics and feature several guest artists.
Winter produced three Grammy Award-winning albums by Muddy Waters, Hard Again (1977), I'm Ready (1978), and Muddy "Mississippi" Waters – Live (1979). Several Winter albums were also nominated for Grammy Awards. In 1980, Winter was on the cover of the first issue of Guitar World and in 1988, he was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame.
Still Alive and Well
Johnny Winter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I think about the past it only brings me down
Everyone I thought was cool is six feet under ground
Make love in the grass while the sun is shining down
They tried to get me lots of times and now they're
It feels so good your long blond hair baby
Coming after you I got out and I'm here to say
When you're down low make me shake make the whole earth quake
Baby you can get out to I'm Still alive and well
So everyone will know
I'm still alive and well
I'm still alive and well every now and then its kind of hard
To tell I'm still alive and well
In Johnny Winter's song "Still Alive And Well," the lyrics speak to themes of looking back on the past and being grateful for the present. The singer wonders if listeners have ever taken a moment to consider who is still around, and how difficult it can be to grapple with the reality that many people they once revered have passed away. Despite this melancholy sentiment, the song takes a turn towards rejoicing in the present, with the singer extolling the pleasures of making love outside in the sunshine, reveling in the freedom that comes with having survived multiple attempts on their life.
The song's emphasis on remaining strong in the face of adversity is underscored by its chorus. The repeated refrain of "I'm still alive and well" serves as a declaration of resilience and survival, while acknowledging the challenges that come with staying afloat in a world where so much can go wrong. The song's bridge also touches on the idea of finding solace in another person, with the singer urging a loved one to make them "shake" and "make the whole earth quake" as a way of reaffirming their connection.
Overall, "Still Alive And Well" by Johnny Winter is a powerful statement of survival and resilience, with lyrics that speak to the struggles associated with coming through difficult times and finding joy in the present moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Did you ever look to see who is left around?
Have you ever taken a moment to reflect and see who from the past is still alive?
When I think about the past it only brings me down
Reflecting on the past often just leads to feelings of sadness and depression.
Everyone I thought was cool is six feet under ground
Those individuals I admired and respected in the past have all passed away.
Make love in the grass while the sun is shining down
Enjoy life's simple pleasures, like making love in the grass on a sunny day.
They tried to get me lots of times and now they're
There were many attempts to bring me down, but now those individuals are nowhere to be found.
It feels so good your long blond hair baby
There is a feeling of pleasure and satisfaction when in the presence of one's loved one.
Coming after you I got out and I'm here to say
There were attempts to harm or capture me, but I managed to escape and now I am voicing my survival.
When you're down low make me shake make the whole earth quake
Even when feeling low or down, there is still an energy and passion that can make a big impact.
Baby you can get out to I'm Still alive and well
My loved one, you too can escape harm and survive. I am proof of that.
So everyone will know
I want everyone to be aware of my survival and perseverance.
I'm still alive and well
I am still here, thriving and living life to its fullest.
I'm still alive and well every now and then its kind of hard
Although I am still alive and well, there are moments when it can be challenging to maintain that state.
To tell I'm still alive and well
It can be difficult to convey to others that I am still alive and well, but I am determined to make it known.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RICK DERRINGER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
johnny zell
Did you ever look to see who is left around?
Everyone I thought was cool is six feet under ground
They tried to get me lots of times and now they're
Coming after you I got out and I'm here to say
Baby you can get out too
I'm still alive and well
I'm still alive and well every now and then its kind of hard
To tell I'm still alive and well
When I think about the past it only brings me down
Make love in the grass while the sun is shining down so everyone will know
I'm still alive and well
I'm still alive and well every now and then its kind of hard
To tell I'm still alive and well
SuperSpectre1
My cancer theme song..Im in remission.When I looked at my bald head in the mirror, I said.."I'm still alive an well" Thanks my brother Johnny!!
bruce long
Yo bro, I lost the most important person in my life to breast cancer at 33. I'm a cancer survivor. Long live and prosper, and godspeed. Love ya and you aren't alone.
gibsonexplorer
@SuperSpectre1 hell ya!!
Bradley Achord
I'm fighting too, brother! 💪👊👍
SuperSpectre1
@860Ε ** I don't understand But THANKYOU?
Tony Nottonson
I literally stood in awe with my jaw dropped watching Johnny play in ‘85 at the Fillmore West. Had to laugh when I realized my own facial expression at the time. No other player ever had that effect on me. Johnny Winter rules heaven’s band.
Dan Koning
@Tony Nottonson // I just now saw your reply. Though you are correct in saying it's a "fundamental," it's also a truth which I was once unaware of, and one that the vast majority are blind too right now unlike JW. The choice is yours as to how you amend your comment. though the wise thing to do is to consider what I've said with the understanding that it reflects Biblical truth, and not merely something I've said. If you're interested in learning more I can/will help you. Truth is a stubborn thing.
Tony Nottonson
Correction: I’m no authority on heaven. That was just a guess. But, if there is a source of all the love and life as we know it, and souls who move on somehow share a peaceful existence there, and get to make music together, Johnny rules that place.
Tony Nottonson
@Dan Koning I apologize for referring to one of your religion’s fundamental concepts and proclaiming something about it as though I’m certain it’s true. I think I can edit as an amends.
Dan Koning
In the 70s early 80s I loved/lived the music of both Winter brothers. YT just put this in my suggestions after watching a related guitar build video, so I looked up their bio(s)/Wiki pages to read up on their lives outside of music to see if there were any changes with them like with me. While reading it became clear that something more important than guitars/music was missing; something that Johnny now fully understands.
As I read it became clear that JW had no interest in, or relationship with Jesus Christ; sadly the very moment he died, Johnny stepped onto a stage that he'd never leave, to play and sing for an audience that's never seen or satisfied, and one that never applauds, no matter who you are, or how much $$$ and fame you once had. You said: "Johnny Winter rules heaven’s band."
Tony the Bible clearly says: "You shall know them by their fruits" [Matt 7 v16]; sadly JW's life was void of any sign of "fruit" relating to Biblical Christianity meaning Johnny does not "rule heavens band." In fact he left this earth w/o forgiveness which is only possible by being right with God by faith apart from "religions good works/deeds;" you? It's something that Johnny would give anything for just 1 more chance to do.