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 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.
Billboard Magazine published an article that the masters of this record were sold to MGM.
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.
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.
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 Buddha Records as "early Johnny Winter" tracks sometime between 1967 and 1969. Buddha 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.
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).
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
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
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
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.
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. 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.