Johnny Winter: The Formative Years (1965-1967) - Shaping a Blues Virtuoso

Johnny Winter: A Rising Star in the Texas Blues Scene (1965-1967)

In the mid-1960s, Johnny Winter was a young and ambitious blues guitarist carving his path in the vibrant music scene of Texas. His raw talent and dedication to the blues were evident from the start. In 1965, even before he turned 21, Winter's single "Gone For Bad" caught the attention of MGM Records, leading to a deal and a wider audience for his music.

Throughout 1966, Winter's star continued to rise. He played with various bands like The Black Plague and The Insight, honing his skills and expanding his repertoire. He even signed a contract with Clarity Music Company, signaling growing interest in his potential.

1967 marked a turning point. Winter returned to Houston and became a fixture at the Act III Club. He also delved deeper into recording, laying down tracks like "Take My Choice" with local bluesman Calvin Johnson. His recordings from this period, such as "Coming Up Fast" and "Living In The Blues," capture the raw energy and passion that would define his later career.

These years were formative for Johnny Winter. He was constantly performing, writing, and recording, building a foundation for the success that would come in the following decade. His dedication to the blues, his collaborative spirit, and his undeniable talent were all on display, hinting at the legendary status he would achieve.

Photo of Johnny Winter and It, Them, or Black Plague around 1965 (left to right): Norman Samaha, Edgar Winter, Isaac "Ikey" Payton Sweat, Johnny and Buzz Smith (organ)
Johnny Winter and "It", "Them", or "Black Plague" around 1965 (left to right): Norman Samaha, Edgar Winter, Isaac "Ikey" Payton Sweat, Johnny and Buzz Smith (organ)

Johnny Winter in 1965

Gone for Bad, released by Frolic/MGM Records
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The single "Gone for Bad" is one of the spotlight winners of the week, in Billboard 15 May 1965. Recorded 1965 Gulf Coast Studios, Beaumont Texas. Issued at the time on 45 by MGM.

On 24 July 1965, Billboard Magazine published an article that the masters of this record were sold to MGM. This article was called "MGM Buy Masters"

MGM Buys Masters NASHVILLE

Two masters have been purchased by MGM's new branch chief here, Jim Vienneau. The disks are "Keep On Dancing" by "The Gentry's" and "Gone for Bad" by Johnny Winter. With the addition of Vienneau as an executive able to bid on masters, competition for country disks stands to become even more aggressive.

On 21 August 1965 An advertisement in Billboard Magazine called "Still Looking, Glass? MGM's On Fire " to promote the following recordings: Roundabout Connie Francis MGM K-13389, Gone For Bad Johnny Winter MGM K-13380 , I'm Henry VIII, I Am Danny Davis And The Nashville Strings MGM K-13374, The Silence Roy Etzel MGM K-13381 , You're My Baby The Vacels Kama Sutra KA-200 , Stay Away From My Baby The Tulips MGM K-13375

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21 August 1965 - Billboard Magazine:

On 21 August 1965 An advertisement in Billboard Magazine called "Still Looking, Glass? MGM's On Fire " to promote the following recordings: Roundabout Connie Francis MGM K-13389, Gone For Bad Johnny Winter MGM K-13380 , I'm Henry VIII, I Am Danny Davis And The Nashville Strings MGM K-13374, The Silence Roy Etzel MGM K-13381 , You're My Baby The Vacels Kama Sutra KA-200 , Stay Away From My Baby The Tulips MGM K-13375.

21 August 1965 An advertisement in Billboard Magazine, mentioning Johnny Winter's new single: "Gone For Bad"
21 August 1965 An advertisement in Billboard Magazine, mentioning Johnny Winter's new single: "Gone For Bad"

Johnny Winter Leads The Great Believers at the Act III Club
Houston’s Legendary Quartet Featuring the Winter Brothers Takes the Stage Tuesday and Thursday through Saturday, with a Past Rooted in Black Plague and Amos Boynton and the ABCs

Johnny Winter, renowned for his electrifying guitar work, takes the lead for The Great Believers, performing live at the Act III Club every Tuesday, and from Thursday through Saturday. This Houston-based quartet, originally known as Amos Boynton and The ABCs, marks one of the earliest collaborations between Johnny and his brother Edgar Winter, following their previous stint together in the band Black Plague.

The Great Believers gained recognition with their release of the single "Comin' Up Fast (Part 1)/(Part 2)" under the Cascade 365 label. Additionally, they recorded "Easy Lovin' Girl," another composition by Johnny Winter, as the backing band for Texas legend Roy Head.

    The band lineup includes:
  • - Johnny Winter – Guitar, Vocals
  • - Edgar Winter – Keyboards
  • - Dave Russell – Bass
  • - Amos Boynton – Drums
Johnny Winter's band in the period 1965-66s at Sak's Boom Boom Room-Bossier City.
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Photo of From left to right: Isaac (Ikey) Sweat (bass), Buzzy Smith (piano, keyboards), Johnny Winter (guitar, vocals), Norman Samaha (drums), Edgar Winter (saxophone)s
From left to right: Isaac (Ikey) Sweat (bass), Buzzy Smith (piano, keyboards), Johnny Winter (guitar, vocals), Norman Samaha (drums), Edgar Winter (saxophone)s
The Great Believers
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Although assumed by some die-hard Johnny Winter collectors, Johnny Winter was NEVER a band member of "The Great Believers" (this has been confirmed by Dave Russell).

An unreleased recording, The Ballad of Bertha Glutz, is actually a different version of The Great Believers' Comin' Up Fast with different lyrics, vocals, and a much heavier fuzz guitar line. It was recorded in Tyler, Texas.

Songs written by Amos Boynton include The Ballad of Bertha Glutz and Tell Me.

The lyrics of Comin' Up Fast were written by Dave Russell.

The Great Believers also recorded another "Johnny Winter?" composition, Easy Lovin' Girl, backing Roy Head.

    Band Members:
  • Amos Boynton – Drums
  • Dave Russell – Keyboards, vocals
  • Eddie – Lead guitar
  • Harold Fulton – Organ, keyboards
  • Isaac "Ikey" Payton Sweat – Bass
Dave Russell recalls:

Roy Ames had the music masters to Comin' Up Fast, and Russell's lyrics were overdubbed at Walt Andrus Studios, located on South Broadway in southeast Houston, Texas. Johnny Winter's guitar leads were featured on the master.

The Ballad of Bertha Glutz was deemed by Roy Ames to be "crap," so he had Russell rewrite the lyrics to fit the music. (I secretly think Roy must have lifted the master from Huey Meaux's library, had Russell rewrite the Bertha Glutz tune, and was going to release Comin' Up Fast as an original song.) Huey Meaux apparently owned the master of the Bertha Glutz tracks (including Russell's vocals, which featured Fulton and Isaac "Ikey" Payton Sweat on backup vocals) and reclaimed them from Roy Ames.

Huey owned a lot of these remixes, including the Roy Head version of Easy Lovin' Girl and several others. He sold several tapes to Buddah Records as "early Johnny Winter" tracks sometime between 1967 and 1969. Buddah Records eventually released an album called Early Johnny Winter*, which was out of print by the early '80s. My guess is they discovered it was, in fact, NOT Johnny Winter singing on these tracks and ceased distribution.

Bad News b/w Out of Sight (Buddah Records) - Record Information

Notes: This DJ copy is marked "NOT FOR SALE" and features tracks taken from the LP "First Winter" (BDS 7513). The record was produced by Huey P. Meaux, a prominent figure in the Texas music scene known for shaping the careers of numerous artists. Meaux's production style often blended Southern rock, blues, and swamp pop, giving the record a distinctive edge.

Song:
Bad News 2:47 "DUAL 45"
Performer(s):
Johnny Winter
Record Company:
Buddah Records
Catalognr:
BDA 168, NOT FOR SALE

Photo Side: Bad News

Song:
Out of Sight 2:05 "DUAL 45"
Performer(s):
Johnny Winter
Record Company:
Buddah Records
Catalognr:
BDA 168, NOT FOR SALE

Photo Side: Out of Sight

The Great Believers Band:
NOTE: Johnny Winter was NEVER part of the Great Believers, this may have been invented by Roy C. Ames to increase the market value of the Believers records.

Johnny Winter plays lead guitar for: The Great Believers playing Tuesdays, and Thurs thru Sat in a club called the "Act III Club"

Originally known as this Houston-based quartet (The Great Believers) was an early outing for the Winter Brothers who had previously played together in Black Plague. The recorded the single: Comin' Up Fast (Part 1)/(Part 2)(Cascade 365)

The Great Believers also recorded another Johnny Winter composition, Easy Lovin' Girl, backing Roy Head.

Compilation appearances include: Comin' Up Fast (Part 1) on Mindrocker, Vol. 4 (LP) and Acid Visions (LP); Comin' Up Fast (Part 1) and Easy Lovin' Girl on Acid Visions - The Complete Collection Vol. 1 (3-CD).

    The Great Believers band-members:
  • Johnny Winter - Guitar, Vocals
  • Edgar Winter - Keyboards
  • Dave Russell - Bass
  • Amos Boynton - Drums

 

Johnny Winter in 1966

On Sunday's during 1966 Johnny Winter performed at the Colosseum (source: Port Arthur News February 1966)

During March 1966 Johnny Winter played with his band "The Black Plague" and Bobby Wheeler

Bands in which Johnny played during 1966 are:
  • Insight, recordings: Cascade Records: "Out of Sight", "Please Come Home for Christmas" See: Cascade Records
  • “Texas Guitar Slim”, recordings: "Broke and Lonely" , "Crying in my Heart" both records on the “Diamond Records” label. Moon-lite Records: “Crazy Baby”
12 March 1966 - The Port Arthur News:

An announcement: Direct from Whiskey a Go-Go: Johnny Winter and the Black Plagues featuring Bobby Wheeler "Teardrops on your letter" with a special Floor Show Live Go-Go girls: Black Cat

10 August 1966 – Contract with Clarity Music Company (Roy C. Ames):

On Sunday, 10 August 1966 Johnny signs a contract with Clarity Music Company (Roy C. Ames) to record the song: Town Crier . Note: The song "Town Crier" was never recorded by Johnny Winter

Johnny Winter in 1967

After touring the Southwest for 2-3 years, returned to Houston and became the house band at the Act III Club.

Recorded "Take My Choice" wit local (Houston) bluesman Calvin "Loudmouth" Johnson.

Recorded "Coming Up Fast" 1967 Pasadena Sound Studios. A short version edited down to less than three minutes, was released at the on the Cascade label, only a few hundred 45s were pressed, which are today much sought after collector's items. See the 7" Singles here

Recorded "Living In The Blues" and "Birds Can't Row Boats " 1967 Andros Studios Houston, first released 1969.

January 1967 recorded "I Wonder If I Care" Pasadena Sounds studios, Pasadena Texas, released on album 1969.

2 February 1967 Recorded "Don't drink Whiskey" Recording Service Studios, Pasadena Texas.

For a short period band leader of "The Traits" and released the single: Tramp on the Universal Record Label . Most likely he performed on "Tramp" which was recorded during the brief period in 1967 when Johnny Winter was the leader of "The Traits" and it was released under the group name, in a pressing of 300 45s on the Universal label.