Johnny Winter's 1983: A Year of Tours and Lineup Changes

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On 6 April 1983, legendary blues-rock guitarist Johnny Winter took to the stage at Massey Hall in Toronto, delivering a high-energy performance that has since become a significant moment in his extensive touring career. At this point, Winter was already renowned for his fiery guitar work and distinctive blues style, and the Toronto concert reflected the raw, electrifying energy that had come to define his live shows. This page offers a detailed look at the April 1983 concert, showcasing the setlist, band lineup, and photo gallery of Winter’s show.

Visit the Photo Gallery of the Toronto show

A Review of the Johnny Winter Concert in Neunkirchen:

Youngest Blues Veteran

A disappointing reunion with guitarist Johnny Winter at the Hemmerleinhalle

The day fades. Johnny Winter arrives. And he does so always when you least expect it. Just before you’re about to forget him entirely, he forcefully reminds you: Still alive and well! As the saying goes, those who are written off live the longest. The ruthless mechanisms of the rock business, where album releases and tours alternate as regularly as the ebb and flow of tides, no longer concern the nearly 40-year-old albino. He has long withdrawn from the constant cycle, which, as is well known, doesn’t exactly hinder the creation of a legend. His fans remain loyal to him. The audience turnout for Johnny Winter’s lightning visit to Germany was surprisingly large, and the Hemmerleinhalle in Neunkirchen am Brand, one of the three tour stops, was half full.

However, one had to be a die-hard blues fan to enjoy this reunion and the hellish sound. The initially enthusiastic audience grew increasingly indifferent to the relentless auditory assault. Johnny Winter, who (like many others) has often been labeled the “best white blues musician,” is undeniably something: the youngest blues veteran in the world. These days, the weak singer and strong guitarist mostly just repeats himself, much like many old black blues musicians. But he still impressively rides the indestructible blues formula and initially astonishes with his energetic playing.

Although Johnny Winter moves very little on stage, as a guitarist, he still operates at high voltage in the tradition of B.B. King and Jimi Hendrix. In a trio setup (with Jon Paris on bass), the concentrated load of blues & boogie strongly resembles "ZZ Top." Or perhaps the other way around.

The rendition of the rock classic "Jumpin' Jack Flash" was mostly loud and rather uninspired. Despite the outrageous volume, one could still get a sense of Winter's former greatness, but this was certainly not a shining moment for the blues-rock guitarist. His musical achievements have always varied significantly since the early 1960s: another Winter is sure to come.

By the way, the opening act featured a new Nuremberg rock band called Streetlife, led by guitarist Rudi Madsius. They pick up where Cry Freedom left off—though with more power. So far, it doesn’t sound bad. But it’s not particularly good either.

Steffen Radlmaier

Jüngster Blues-Veteran

Ein enttäuschendes Wiederhören mit dem Gitarristen Johnny Winter in der Hemmerleinhalle

Der Tag geht. Johnny Winter kommt. Und zwar immer dann, wenn man am wenigsten mit ihm rechnet. Kurz bevor man ihn endgültig ver- gessen hat, meldet er sich energisch in Erinne- rung zurück: Still alive and well! Totgesagte leben bekanntlich am längsten. Um die unbarmherzi- gen Mechanismen des Rock-Geschäfts, nach de- nen sich Plattenproduktionen und Tourneen so regelmäßig abwechseln wie Ebbe und Flut, küm- mert sich der fast 40jährige Albino schon lange nicht mehr. Er macht sich rar, was bekanntlich der Legendenbildung nicht gerade hinderlich ist. Seine Fans halten ihm jedenfalls in Treue fest die Stange. Die Publikumsresonanz bei Johnny Win- ters Blitzbesuch in der Bundesrepublik ist er- staunlich groß und die Hemmerleinhalle in Neun- kirchen am Brand, eine der drei Tournee-Stati- nen, war zur Hälfte gefüllt.

Allerdings mußte man schon ein beinharter Blues-Fan sein, um an dem Wiederhören und dem Höllen-Sound Gefallen zu finden. Das anfangs begeisterte Publikum reagierte auf das pausen- lose Trommelfellfeuer denn auch zunehmend teilnahmslos. Johnny Winter, der (wie manch an- derer auch) wiederholt das Prädikat "bester wei- ßer Bluesmusiker" verliehen bekam, ist eines ganz sicher: der jüngste Blues-Veteran der Welt. Inzwischen zitiert sich der schwache Sänger und starke Gitarrist nämlich nur noch selbst, wie viele alte, schwarze Blues-Musiker. Dabei reitet er im- mer noch erstaunlich fingerfertig auf dem unver- wüstlichen Blues-Schema herum und verblüfft zunächst durch sein energiegeladenes Spiel.

Johnny Winter bewegt sich zwar auf der Bühne sehr wenig, doch als Gitarrist steht er nach wie vor unter Hochspannung in der Tradition eines B. B. King und eines Jimi Hendrix. In der Trio-Besetzung (am Baß Jon Paris) erinnert die geballte Ladung Blues & Boogie nun stark an "ZZ Top". Oder umgekehrt.

Die Version des Rock-Oldie "Jumpin' Jack Flash" war allerdings hauptsächlich laut und we- nig inspiriert. Obwohl man trotz der unverschäm- ten Lautstärke eine Ahnung von Winters einsti- ger Größe bekam, war dies sicherlich keine Stern- stunde des Blues-Rock-Gitarristen. Doch dessen musikalische Leistungen waren seit Anfang der sechziger Jahre immer sehr unterschiedlich: Der nächste Winter kommt bestimmt.

Übrigens spielte im Vorprogramm eine neue Nürnberger Rock-Formation namens"Streetlife" um den Gitarristen Rudi Madsius, die dort weiter macht, wo "Cry Freedom" aufgehört hat. Aller- dings mit mehr Power. Das klingt bis jetzt nicht schlecht. Aber auch nicht besonders gut.

STEFFEN RADLMAIER

Based on Johnny Winter's performances throughout 1983, a typical setlist would include a mix of blues standards, rock covers, and slide guitar jams that showcase his technical prowess. The core setlist for 1983 would typically consist of the following tracks:

1. Hideaway – A regular opener, showcasing his blues guitar skills.

2. Messin' With The Kid or Crossroads – Alternated as early staples.

3. Unseen Eye – Appearing frequently in the setlist.

4. Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo – One of Johnny’s signature rock numbers, often paired with a drum solo by Moe Potts.

5. Slide Medley (usually including Mean Town Blues , I Can’t Be Satisfied , and Rollin' And Tumblin' in some concerts) – A feature of his slide guitar work.

6. Bony Moronie – A rock standard, usually accompanied by a drum solo.

7. Highway 61 Revisited – A Bob Dylan cover that frequently closed the main set.

8. Johnny B. Goode – This Chuck Berry classic was often performed toward the end.

9. It’s All Over Now – A common encore.

10. Jumpin’ Jack Flash – Another popular encore, especially in Europe.

Occasional additions or variations:

- Help Me , Killing Floor , and Black Cat Bone often appeared in the mid-set.

- Songs like Sweet Papa John , Mother Earth , and Red House featured at select shows.

- His setlists sometimes included extra encores like Wildwood Flower or Okie Dokie Stomp , particularly in Europe.

This blend of blues and rock classics highlighted Winter's versatility and enduring influence as a performer during the year.