Ask Gary: reports
A long time ago, even before lie was really together, music-wise, Johnny Winter was described by Mike Bloomfield as the "greatest white blues artist in the world."
THAT WAS IN 1965, a lifetime ago measuring by the longevity of most musicians' success. Today Johnny is truly an artistic genius who enjoys the envy and admiration of blues artists the world over.However until very recently he had been something less than a success financially. Then all of a sudden every major record label dealing in blues began bidding for his services.
COLUMBIA RECORDS won the bidding derby with an offer of $500,000, a bid to make most pro-football team owners look like cheapskates. Things were looking up for the Texas musician.
In a hurry to get a return on its investment, Columbia started cutting records like there was to be no tomorrow. An LP is scheduled for release early this month.
COLUMBIAS Promotion department bought full page ads in trade magazines, screaming the praises of the heretofore unheralded Winter, and extolling the virtues of his forthcoming album with phrases like "Columbia presents Johnny Winter, a white flame ignited by black blues." (from an ad in Billboard on April).
Before Columbia could get the success bandwagon mov ing with any speed. Jerry Wexler of Atlantic Records poured sugar in the gas tank.
IT TURNS out that Wexler and Atlantic purchased a recording contract on Winter from a Texan named Roy Ames for $50.000. They contend this is the only valid contract because it pre-dates Johnny's contract with Columbia.
IN AN INTERVIEW with Rolling Stone mag, Johnny declared his contract with Ames is no longer valid because: Ames failed to pick up his 1969 option to renew. He also asserted that Ames failed to record him since 1966. although the contract stipulated that a certain amount of material was to be recorded, but not necessarily released, every year. Furthermore, said Johnny, he was never paid royalties or union scale session fees for the single and tapes he did make for Ames in 1966.
Both Columbia and Atlantic have stated they will release material by Winter. However Atlantic will release only the material on the tapes it received from Ames.
WINTER, WHO TURNED Atlantic down when they originally approached him, says he'll never record exclusively for Atlantic. He told Rolling Stone, "I'd never honor that contract with Roy Ames because it's not a good one."Somebody should tell Johnny that never is an awfully long time
Source: 69-05-06 Elryia OH Chronicle Telegram #1
