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

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In 1983, Johnny Winter marked several key milestones in his career. Early in the year, he embarked on a Canadian tour, captivating audiences across the country. Shortly after, there was a significant lineup change with the departure of drummer Bobby Torello, who was replaced by Moe Pots. Later in the year, Winter further solidified his international presence with an extensive European tour, expanding his reach and reinforcing his reputation as a powerhouse in the blues and rock scene.

Photo of Johnny Winter In Paris concert 1983 - https://vinyl-records.nl/

Wednesday, 6 April 1983: Massey Hall, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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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

Johnny Winter "Captured Live"
Wednesday, 19 October 1983: Hemmerleinhalle, Neunkirchen

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 He has long withdrawn from the constant cycle, which, as is well known, doesn’t exactly hinder the creation of a legend.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

Photo of Poster for the Johnny Winter and Special Guests concert, 19 October 1983 , Hemmerleinhalle, Neunkirchen, Germany.
Poster for the Johnny Winter and Special Guests concert, 19 October 1983 , Hemmerleinhalle, Neunkirchen, Germany.
A review of the Johnny Winter concert in Neunkirchen:
Original Review in German

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

Johnny Winter's 1983 Setlist: A Dynamic Blend of Blues and Rock Classics

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.

APPENDIX: Johnny Winter 1983 Tour Dates

Johnny Winter Index 1980-1989

Johnny Winter in 1980
Johnny Winter in 1980 album front cover vinyl lp album https://vinyl-records.nl/johnny-winter/biography/index.html

In 1980, Johnny Winter was in the prime of his career, performing across various venues and festivals. Notably, he played at the Loreley Festival in Germany, showcasing his signature blend of blues and rock. His typical setlist during this period included covers of blues standards like Freddie King's "Hideaway" and rock classics such as Bob Dylan’s "Highway 61 Revisited." Winter's live performances captivated audiences with his powerful guitar skills and energetic presence. His 1980 tour spanned multiple cities in the U.S. and Europe, leaving a lasting impression on fans.

Read About Johnny Winter in 1980
Johnny Winter in 1981
Johnny Winter in 1981 album front cover vinyl lp album https://vinyl-records.nl

In 1981, Johnny Winter demonstrated his resilience and independence within the music industry. He formed his own record label, Mad Albino, to release the album *Whoopin'* after facing a lack of interest from other labels. He also reunited with Uncle John Turner for a mini-tour and performed at notable events such as the Chicago Blues Festival. This year highlights his ability to navigate the blues scene on his own terms while continuing to collaborate with influential figures like Muddy Waters.

Read About Johnny Winter in 1981
Johnny Winter in 1982
Johnny Winter in 1982 album front cover vinyl lp album https://vinyl-records.nl

In 1982, Johnny Winter continued to cement his reputation as a blues-rock legend, primarily through his live performances, though he did not release a new album that year. His high-energy concerts showcased his fiery slide guitar skills and his dedication to the blues genre. Winter's setlists featured classic rock and blues covers, along with his signature tracks, keeping him a revered figure in the music scene despite the absence of new studio work.

Read About Johnny Winter in 1982
Johnny Winter in 1983
Johnny Winter in 1983 album front cover vinyl lp album https://vinyl-records.nl

In 1983, Johnny Winter marked several key milestones in his career. Early in the year, he embarked on a Canadian tour, captivating audiences across the country. Shortly after, there was a significant lineup change with the departure of drummer Bobby Torello, who was replaced by Moe Potts. Later in the year, Winter further solidified his international presence with an extensive European tour, expanding his reach and reinforcing his reputation as a powerhouse in the blues and rock scene.

Read About Johnny Winter in 1983
Johnny Winter in 1984
Johnny Winter in 1984 album front cover vinyl lp album https://vinyl-records.nl

In 1984, Johnny Winter's career was marked by several key milestones. These include the release of his album "Guitar Slinger" , which further cemented his reputation as a leading blues guitarist. He embarked on an extensive European tour, showcasing his dynamic performances across various countries. Winter concluded the year with a successful Canadian tour, continuing his momentum and solidifying his global presence in the blues and rock music scene.

Read About Johnny Winter in 1984
Johnny Winter in 1985
Johnny Winter in 1985 album front cover vinyl lp album https://vinyl-records.nl

In 1985, Johnny Winter achieved significant milestones in his illustrious career. His album Serious Business earned a Grammy nomination for "Best Traditional Blues Recording," affirming his status as one of the foremost blues artists of his era. Another notable highlight was his participation in the Guitar All Star Jam, where he delivered a standout performance of "When You Got a Good Friend," showcasing his signature guitar prowess.

Read About Johnny Winter in 1985
Johnny Winter in 1986

Unfortunately I lost the 1986 files

Johnny Winter in 1987
Johnny Winter in 1987 album front cover vinyl lp album https://vinyl-records.nl

In 1987, blues guitarist Johnny Winter embarked on his "3rd Degree Tour" across Europe, with Dr. John the Nighttripper as a special guest. The tour featured performances across multiple cities, with setlists showcasing a mix of Winter's classic blues and boogie hits, such as "Third Degree," "Mojo Boogie," and "Johnny B. Goode." The band consisted of Tom Compton on drums and Jon Paris on bass. Winter remained committed to his blues roots despite commercial pressures to modernize. Notable performances included stops in Helsinki, Vienna, and Munich, with the tour receiving widespread acclaim for its raw energy and authentic blues sound.

Read About Johnny Winter in 1987
Johnny Winter in 1988
Johnny Winter in 1988 album front cover vinyl lp album https://vinyl-records.nl

In 1988, Johnny Winter embarked on a prolific year marked by the release of his album Winter of '88, which showcased his enduring guitar prowess. Produced by Terry Manning, the album blended Winter's signature raw blues sound with a modern edge, appealing to both long-time fans and new listeners. His tour supporting the album took him to numerous venues across the United States, with notable international performances, including headlining the Blues Festival at Piazza Duomo in Pistoia, Italy, on 1 July and concerts across Canada in September. Winter's concerts, such as at the Milan Blues Festival and the Diamond Club in Toronto, exemplified his commitment to live performance, further cementing his legendary status in the blues-rock genre. Throughout the year, Winter continued to captivate audiences with his fierce guitar skills and unwavering dedication to the blues, drawing both young and old fans alike.

Read About Johnny Winter in 1988
Johnny Winter in 1989
Johnny Winter in 1989 album front cover vinyl lp album https://vinyl-records.nl

In 1989, Johnny Winter's career was marked by an extensive and dynamic tour schedule that highlighted his enduring prowess as a blues guitarist. The year kicked off with the "Winter of '88/'89" tour, with performances across Europe, including memorable shows in Hamburg, Stuttgart, and Vienna. Winter, accompanied by Jon Paris on bass and Tom Compton on drums, delivered intense performances filled with sharp guitar riffs and a powerful, raw blues sound. Despite mainly playing blues standards, Winter breathed new life into each piece, captivating audiences with his fiery guitar solos.

Read About Johnny Winter in 1989