They say you shouldn't meet your heroes but I met Johnny twice and he was one of the nicest people I ever met. He loved his fans and he always gave it his all onstage. He was a national treasure. RIP Johnny

I saw him live and he was on fire! I've seen a million more "modern artists" come along who can barely play an instrument and they get all kinds of acclaim and cushy lives. Johnny Winter was a blazing, hard-rocking rock-and-roll god who whipped thousands of people into a frenzy when he played. . The man paid serious dues and delivered hardass, timeless rock and blues. Didn't mean to preach - I'm just an old music lover who's seen a lot over the years, and Johnny Winter's no poser.

The great Johnny Winter. RIP

An honest and humble man RIP

Young people just do not know how lucky we are to have had the Winter Brothers in our lifetime.I hope that they will because they are our roots.

Johnny is still the top of my list for Blues. I had the honor of seeing him in the 60s. Hands down the best Rock/Blues concert I have ever been to. Admire the genius and talent.

50 years ago this evening I saw Johnny Winter in concert at the Long Beach auditorium. My brother took me there. It was my first rock concert. What a great memory. Johnny's brother Edgar was also there.

The Johnny Winter band with Randy Joe Hobbs and Richard Hughes was one of the very best line-ups he had.

I met Johnny a few times in the early 80's. Each time I showed up with @ least 10 albums for him to sign. (this was before E -Bay) And my intention was nothing more than having a hero sign something that is/was special to me= never to be sold. Anyway Johnny always was super nice and when I asked him the first time "Johnny could you please sign these?" he replied "I sure as hell will!" : D

What a HUGE TALENT..

so humble and honest

I have just about everything that Johnny Winter ever recorded thank you for the music Johnny and the good memories

THE BRST blues/rock guitar player! He. Sas honest,humble & real. We miss you Johnny!

Johnny Winter...bless his heart

Honest as it gets...Rest in Peace, dear Johnny....

This man is so full of character, his playing truly shows it.

the live version of Highway 61......incredible...maniacal slide playing...a true legend

Thanks Johnny! You were always a great friend to Randy Jo Hobbs. We miss you too!

Randy Jo Hobbs was a monster bassist in his prime. Randy Jo & Johnny are jamming in heaven. RIP.

It's wonderful to hear a recovery success story AND to hear Johnny Winter tell it like it is.

We miss Uncle Johnny so much down here in SouthEast Texas. We’ll never forget about you. RIP

The guy that got me on the guitar. Hearing the Firebird going through an MXR Phaser on "Captured Live" changed my life forever....Keep rockin' Johnny, the world needs your guitar.......

he was one in my lifetime I will never forget .RIP ....

Had the honor of seeing JW twice. First time at the Trocadero 1986 in Philly. Arrived 4 hours late but tore the place up. Next at the Roxy Northampton . At that time sitting and playing the years of whatever taking a toll,but none the less JW played on. Been a fan since the 70's ,made me want to play guitar like him. What a guitar player, RIP JW ,your music lives on.

I’m a native Texan and listen to his music all the time.

I saw Johnny and Edgar on the same bill not long after Woodstock, in October 69. It was backstage after the show and the two of them were so modest and friendly. Completely unaffected by the attention they were getting.

His music will live on forever. R.I.P.

NOW THIS IS THE BEST EVER BLUES GUITARIST!

Love Johnny. A true original.

I saw Johnny Live in 1986 and he played about 6 songs . Each one went for 10 + minutes. Lots of lead breaks !! :-) and he was still full of energy then. He never got off methadone but towards the end of his career his health declined and his fire went out. At his peak he was bleeding great !

He's a very humble man. Great guitarist too.

Nobody will. Ever. Follow. This. Brilliant. Guy. One. Of my fav'. Guitarists. We. Lost a. Fine man . RIP.

It took me almost 3 weeks to detox off of methadone, never want to do that again. When I finally woke up in bed one morning I knew I had finally went to sleep, God spoke to me and said"Do you want to go back to Egypt?" I said "No way" I'm all yours Jesus! Been serving Him ever since going on 7 years. Set free from 27 long years of a lie from the pit of hell, cause who the Son sets Free is Free INDEED! Blessings to all!

Johnny was a BADAZZ not at just slide either he could shred the blues and very gracefully I might add ! Like Blackmore said the best blues player of his time ! Very Influential !

Saw johnny up real close,and knew instantly watching his long fingers that he was an absolute master,especially when he played the Firebird,pretty loud also

Feel ya brother,,,CLEAN & SOBER 35 years, lived in a 1/2 way house for a year till I was sure after watching 9 outta 10 left the place CRASH & BURN ,,HARD!!1. I grew up with you man. 11y/o JOHNNY WINTER AND LIVE ALBUM,,,can you say BLEW MY MIND into millions of R&R BLUES BITS! WEOW If I could only have one ALBUM it would be the entire cut collection of that AND TOUR from which the ALBUM was made , You fellers ROCKED MY WORLD Randy, RICK & JOHNNY!! Course lotsa older HIPPIES that helped us grow up quick bk in late 60 early 70 God Bless you Man. I cannot wait to to see you , Mudd and the entire GANG again in HEAVEN Man. PEACE My Brother, I still AIR GUITAR like I was 11 y/o ,,dance like a fool too, everytime I kick out your JAMS MAN! PEACE MAN

When I first heard " Be Careful with a Fool" that was it! The several times I saw him live are cherished memories. His version of "No Time to Live" was stunning.

Great guy honest RIP

Always loved johnny winter,great person and guitar player cool voice too.

I grew up in the 60’s&70’s in Houston. JW, ZZ Top and Freddie King were the best.

He's one of the greats, and his dobro and slide playin' gives me chills. Stay well and healthy Johnny , there's a lot of love comin at ya. God bless you.

There is no original American music ever recorded of a higher caliber than the studio albums Johnny winter did with muddy waters - hard again, king bee, and I’m ready. Just listening to muddy calling to Johnny in the middle of the songs you can hear the respect that muddy had for Johnny and that’s saying a hell of a lot. Listen to those muddy waters records and you will fall in love with the best music ever made... Chicago blues with roots in the Mississippi delta. I’m 49 started playing guitar at 13 and wow how I wish I’d discovered old school blues sooner not to even mention these muddyJohnny treasures

johnny gold fingers yu've been one of the first LP record i ve bought. something new to my teenage ears i still listen to your incredible performances and love to see you performing on this ytoube channels RIP i will always think about you

I had already gathered a pile of Beatles and Stones records when my cousin turned me on to Johnny's 2nd album. I was 11 years old and have loved the blues since then. Thanks Johnny for playing like you meant it.

This is one of those guys who should never die!!

greatest guitar player in the world, gone through heaven and hell, still impressing me deeply. be careful with a fool seems to be the theme of his life.

God Bless you Johnny.... I sure miss Randy Jo

Randy was my first cousin and we grew up together. I loved him like a brother. I miss you man, RIP..........

Alvin Lee & Johnny Winter my 2 all time favorite guitarists....can you imagine if they collaborated musically? WHEWIE, HOT DAMN BOY

Pretty much the white guy that always made the Blues so much better. One great performer.

one of the all time greats- anyone can get hooked- happens all the time-doesn't mean anything bad about anyone it just some how happens.

i remember 40 years ago... with my rca victor playing johnny winter in the driveway full blast.... seen him a couple of times.... he is my hero - always will be

The poor guy... all those fans coming around to bother him... that's really tough - all those handshakes and autographs. It's a shame JW has always viewed his fans as a nuisance and showed indifference rather than respect. If it weren't for those pesky fans where would he be? Thanks for giving us an interview Johnny, appreciate all your one line answers.

He blistered the living shit out of his guitar. Dude could play with any one

This is a great series of interviews. Johnny very candid here..

Share your thoughtsOpening... Johnny...I've seen you 6 times and loved every minute. You were the best! YOU knew how to rock...and YOU knew how to play the best blues. Nobody was/is better! We will miss you. You were absolutely incredible! I never heard you make a mistake. Every time I saw you...after the show...I said to myself..."Wow...how can a guitar player be that good...you were unbelievable...absolutely unbelievable." You showed the world how blues is supposed to be played." You are truly a "blues God!"

I wish these segments were longer there’s way too short 💔😪💔Randy Jo Hobbs /Johnny Winter Rest In Peace ☮️

Winter is a legend, and always rallied for the blues genre he loves, giving proper composing credits , helping out "his' heroes like Muddy Waters etc. Unlike the Jimmy Pages of the biz that stole from them without giving proper credit = them getting paid. There's those that "give back", and those that take. Johnny certainly has given back.

Saw him at the old Wollman Rink in Central Park, NYC 1982. Even outside he was great.

A very original and interesting guitar player. not so much his speed but the variety!

LOVE YOU JOHNNY!

Randy Jo Hobbs i among the best bass players of all time. Listen to the bass line on Jumpin'Jack Flash from the "And Live" album.

In 1969 whrn Johnny Winter's first album came out, it was a sensation. I loved it! Through the years, look what this poor man must have endured. You can see the destruction on his face. Such a pure talent, too. And now, he doesn't write anymore--he's thinking about getting back into it. Damn, the ravages of heroin.........and depression. I still love him, though.

still alive and well

I well miss him badly he was awesome blues man .I saw him in Vegas it was killer he will be truly missed love you dude

My dad turned me onto Johnny it is a gift that never dies

Back in the 70s he came into a club my buddy was working at. He asked my buddy to go out and get him three bags of dope before he was going to play! Boy that man could play!

johnny , i love u man . u are the last of the greatest blues man still around. saw u at the palladium in 92? i was the ahole yelling slip and slide. peace be with u man stay sober for us all and u

Johnny's the best!

Winter......eterno 🎸🔥☮️🙏...de Argentina 🇦🇷✌️👏...noviembre 2020

pyannaguy your comment rocks J.W. is in my opinion one of the best guitar players ever! yes there are other great guitar players but with different styles. J.W. plays a no holds barred style of rock and roll unlike any ever seen,the closest I thought anyone came to being anywhere as good was Stevie Ray Vaughn. J.W. is coming in Oct. to a small bar where I live in Jacksonville Beach Florida and this place barely holds 200 people.Cant wait ,so rock and roll people!!

Glad your clean bro keep up the good work. We are proud of you.

pyannaguy.......your exactly right ...i never got into his music....but he could damn sure play an instrument....today .........singer songwriter's are not around ....the best rock came from the 60's and the 70's....and yes i was there too......i want to apologize to you and the other fans....rock on!

Thanks for this interview. Its the only time Ive ever heard Johnny talk about Randy Joe Hobbs.:)

Johnny, I too am a recovering Heroin addict. I stopped using in the year 2000 and have not touched it since . We have something incommon perhaps we could help each other out. I know all the drum parts from 1st Johnny Winter all the way to."CAPTURED LIVE". I have played with so many bands. My wish is to play in a band with you. My style of playing is perfect with your type of high energy Texas style blues. Mescalero aka Gary Storm. You will not be disapointed

Johnny rules

Nice to see you healthy.Opened for you back in the day at "My Fathers Place" in Roslyn,Long Island,N.Y. Loved those Gibson Firebirds.PEACE&LOVE,FRANKIE CARR

Not to undermine your authority (I teach guitar as well) but all he's playing is the blues, straight up. Kids, learn the blues scale in all positions on the neck, play to a metronome (or with a decent drummer/bassist) and you can play like johnny. that being said i love johnny winter. it's the personal style that he superimposes on the blues that make him 'him'.

Fans would literally throw drugs at you and if you had a habit, all you needed was a backstage pass, drugs were cheep and the best. Randy was so sweet, he didn't stand a chance. All in all.... The fans killed him. So sad, so very sad. R.I.P.Randy.

johnny, jimi, and i all have something in common other than the fact that we all play the blues...we love winwood...or in jimi's case loved. hey those johnny shows and albums were great. glad i got to be there sometimes. give thanx

Johnny's one kind and gentle man,and in those day's it was part of the,60's,70,80,90,..shit I could go on and on,but he is sill alive and well,God bless America,and Johnny too.

Absolutely. He is unique. When you start getting down to who is who in guitar playing. It takes a great person to leave a mark. Just play a cd of a guitar great, being a guitarist You & i can almost guess who is playing. That's leaving a mark.

My hero , my only hero

Sometimes there’s that one guy that you don’t realize is using That’s a hard thing to cover up on stage

like peter green with johnny winter there was about a 6 to 8 month window in the seventies (1970 for Greeny) where no one and i mean NO ONE including Allman (as much as i dont want to admit it), Hendrix, Page, Clapton , Beck, Garcia, Santana,.etc. could touch this guys playing. He was absolutely on fire and untouchable for a few brief months. Ask any of the rockers still alive and were around back then and they are likely to agree. Right before Green went schizo he was a complete master of his craft also. I got some Winter and Green stuff recorded when they were on top of the mountain and it still gives me shivers up my spine. Scary shit indeed.

Excellent comeback! Good luck.

In SE Texas in the 70’s heroin was a problem. Very unfortunate that people I knew got on the shit and suffered because of it.

Es war einer der Besten Bluesmusiker aller Zeiten.

Legend

This guy has been my hero for 35 years at least!

a great one here. seen johnny many times

SOBER!! Go, Johnny ,Go!!

Wish He would wear dark glasses...he hurts my eyes squintin' like that...Go Johnny

man its kinda sad for me to see his right eye shut. But Johnny Winter's a hell of a guitar player. A Legend.

Bla Bla Bla I have been playing over 30 years and have been teaching guitar for about 10 of those years. I know what kind of a player he is. Just worried about his health and what the deal with his eye was. I have learned a lot by watching and learning from players like him . Got a chance to see him way back and saw him in 2003. My favorite track he does is "Mad dog". Very tasteful guitarist. All i can say to you is Keep practicing and you will get better.

Best blues axe grinder ever! R.I.P.

I agree with this comment : Winter in a guitar legend...GREAT

with all due respect to Kirk Hammett and the rest of that band and its history...it really put it all in perspective when Jimmy page and Jeff Beck were on stage with metallica and some other newer talent...the blues guys just hung back let the notes fly all over the place. a great study indeed!

@DarthKazi Interesting, & congrats on your own kicking. I 'd heard a lttle bit re. Kratom some yrs. back but had completely forgotten about it by the time I was ready to quit opiates. I expect I won't need a Kratom cure myself, as I'm now cured(slow taper worked well),but might try it recreationally. I'm not good at resisting habituation the 1st time around,but am good at kicking stuff & not being tempted to resume habits again (e.g. tobacco, alcohol, poppy habits all history - touch wood!).

Is life so hard even the best of us cannot resist the allure of drugs? Is that momentary release from reality worth the heartbreak and lost lives? If history provides the answer, then for the very best and most vulnerable, from Lady Day to Bird and now Johnny, the answer is yes.