JOHNNY WINTER in 1975

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Synopsis: This review captures a performance by legendary blues guitarist Johnny Winter at Winterland, where he performed for both longtime fans and new followers, attracted by his younger brother Edgar's success. Despite a career resurgence after overcoming struggles with drugs, Winter still grapples with delivering the perfect show. Backed by a skilled band, he opened with a John Lennon-penned track and showcased new material from *John Dawson Winter III*, allowing his guitarist Floyd Radford the spotlight. While some extended blues jams slowed the set’s pace, Winter redeemed the performance with "Johnny B. Goode" and two encores, including the Rolling Stones' "Jumpin' Jack Flash." Despite the crowd's enthusiastic response, Winter rated his performance lower than his previous show in Sacramento, aiming for improvement in upcoming performances.

Read The Full Review: Johnny Winter Electrifies Winterland,

By Denise Kusel Staff Writer

John Dawson Winter III didn’t pull any surprises with his promised "new image" Sunday night.

It was just Johnny Winter and tight rock and roll that brought a sell-out crowd at the Long Beach Arena to its feet when he powered through "Boney Maroney," "Jumpin' Jack Flash," and a brilliant finale with "Rock Me Baby."

The guitar work of Randy Hobbs made it evident that Winter will be on the lookout for a new man for the second guitar spot. Hobbs was just that good. He played an exciting guitar and worked in some highly intricate riffs to show off his skills. Hobbs, who plays in a style reminiscent of Rick Derringer, is going places.

Meanwhile, John Dawson Winter isn’t exactly standing still, although he lacked the flamboyant approach he used in his Long Beach concert last year.

Wearing patched jeans, a black short-sleeve shirt, and lengths of red scarf, Winter encountered sound difficulties with a wayward monitor before settling into an excellent slide guitar solo in Bob Dylan’s "Highway 61" and then cooked into "Johnny B. Goode" with his band in hot pursuit.

A receptive audience demanded (and received) two encores. It wasn’t the pre-"Still Alive and Well" Johnny Winter, but his music had more purpose and was played with clearer direction than before... even if the intensity with which he punctuated his performance was down a notch or two.

The James Cotton Blues Band opened the show with its back-street Detroit boogie sound.

The band provided some good moments, but overall, suffered from a lack of creative exploration, preferring instead to travel well-worn paths.

Source & Full Article: 75-01-29 Long Beach Independent.pdf

This review covers Johnny Winter’s record-breaking performance at Winterland in San Francisco, where he impressed both longtime fans and newcomers. Despite past struggles with substance abuse, Winter delivered a high-energy set featuring songs from his new album John Dawson Winter III and classics like "Johnny B. Goode." Backed by a strong band, Winter captivated the audience, though he personally rated the show a modest seven out of ten, promising to push harder in future performances.

Read The Full Article: 2nd Johnny Winter Comeback 'Good'

Johnny Winter, making his annual New York pilgrimage at the Felt Forum on Tuesday, seemed changed only in appearance. Gone were the flowing caftans; now a top hat, somewhat battered, is the only sartorially bizarre effect. Remaining is the same screechy attack on the blues-rock form that has characterized the Texas musician since he burst charismatically onto the music scene in 1968.

He has survived (and Mr. Winter over the years has had many problems) more or less intact, perhaps leaning toward rock a little harder, laying back on the basic blues. But there was too much familiarity in his performance—the drive is the same, only the tempo changes; it just falls short of slickness. Mr. Winter also believes that his sound volume can clear a sinus just as surely as it can clog the Forum's aisles. His is an unruly, movable audience, doomed to boogie. It is an interesting effect when, for instance, his quartet lumbers into the rock oldie "Bony Moronie" with enough bass vibrations to make the producers of "Earthquake" envious, and the audience stomps happily around.

Supporting was James Cotton's Blues Band. He is a minor but genuine figure in the Chicago electric blues scene, and the exposure he gets with Mr. Winter is very worthwhile.

Source: 75-04-10 New York Times.pdf

By J. GREG ROBERTSON

Winter is still with us, thank heavens. Johnny Winter, that is.

Far down the comeback trail after a bout with drugs several years ago, the dynamic blues and rock star had ’em shouting for more Friday night at the Springfield Civic Center.

As perhaps the best blues electric guitar picker (Eric Clapton is an only occasional rival), Winter instills a fair amount of blues funk into his rock playing.

“Rock & Roll People,” Winter’s loud opening tribute to the young audience, obviously got him off on the right foot.

During his performance, the albino Texan brought out a cross-section of rock and roll hits: Larry Williams’ “Boney Maronie,” a long version of Bob Dylan’s “Highway 61,” Chuck Berry's “Johnny B. Goode,” and a wild encore rendition of the Rolling Stones’ ‘‘Jumpin’ Jack Flash.” Winter has retreated hits out of all of them.

But perhaps the most rewarding selection of the evening was a long, nearly-slow straight blues. Hunched forward with his fingers twitching lightly over the frets, he ground out a long instrumental solo and then added his deep, earthy vocal before his three able side-men joined in for the finish. (Just wishful thinking, I know, but it sure would be nice to hear Johnny Winter devote a night to the blues in a small club setting.)

Successfully setting the tone for the event, a Cornucopia-WHCN production, was blues harmonica player James Cotton and his four-man band.

Source & Full Article: 75-04-13 Hartford Courant.pdf

Featuring six big-name rock groups and two renown solo performers. the "Poe Ditch Music Festival" will be held June 1 at Bowling Green State University's Doyt L. Perry stadium.

Johnny Winter and Richie Havens will do their sole thing while groups on hand will be Golden Earring. Montrose, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Styx, Pure Prairie League and Outlaws. Gates at the fully equipped 30.000 seat. stadium open at 9:30 a.m. with the show beginning lat 11:30 a.m. rain or shine. Tickets cost $10 at the door or $8 in advance at the following Marion locations: The Toggery, Southland Mall.

Synopsis: BOWLING GREEN, Ohio (AP) — Angry rock fans set fire to the press box at Bowling Green State University's Doyt-Perry Stadium after a rainstorm forced the cancellation of headliner performances at the Poe Ditch Music Festival. The estimated 33,000 attendees became unruly when acts Johnny Winter and Golden Earring couldn’t perform, throwing bottles and starting a fire. Despite a strong security presence, the situation escalated. The event, which aimed to raise $35,000 for the university's athletic program, had otherwise gone smoothly until the weather disruption.

Read The Full Story On: Rock Fans Burn Press Box After Concert Cancellation