Monday, 20 January 1997: The Rave, Milwaukee
Wednesday, 22 January 1997 - Chicago IL - House of Blues
I attended Johnny Winter's concerts at The Rave in Milwaukee on 20 January and at the House of Blues in Chicago on 22 January. The attendance was fantastic, with the House of Blues sold out. Rick Derringer was touring with Johnny and opened the show with his trio. Derringer’s set was predominantly blues, but he included “Still Alive and Well,” “Hang On Sloopy,” and “Rock-N-Roll Hoochie Koo.” I was particularly impressed with Rick’s performance; it was clear he had been influenced by touring with Johnny Winter, as I noticed a lot of Johnny’s signature licks in his playing.
Johnny performed with his usual trio, showcasing material from his last two Point Blank CDs on his Erlewine Lazer guitar. He also played two slide numbers on his Firebird, a guitar almost as big as Johnny himself. While his performance in Chicago was slightly better, his health and playing were visibly compromised at both shows. As a longtime fan, having seen him perform over a dozen times in the past 20 years, I consider him the greatest living blues guitarist. His influence on my own playing, and the joy I derive from his music, is something I will always cherish.
However, many have remarked on Johnny’s frail appearance and declining health, which was evident during these concerts. His performance was a mere shadow of his former self, and it was painful to witness, knowing the heights of brilliance he can achieve when in good form. We left the shows with mixed emotions, almost wishing we hadn’t seen him like this, out of respect for his true virtuosity. He still managed to perform, which deserves our respect, but he appeared to be in significant pain, possibly struggling with painkillers. The stiffness in his movements reminded me of when I had a herniated spinal disk, with no movement of the hips—perhaps he is suffering from a similar issue.
Another unfortunate aspect of these concerts was the number of younger attendees, mostly in their twenties, who were seeing Johnny for the first time after hearing their older guitar heroes praise him. These new listeners left unimpressed, wondering what all the fuss was about. While we know Johnny is a living legend, whose recordings define blues guitar playing, it is unfortunate that these newcomers did not experience him at his best. It might have been better for them to appreciate his greatness through his recordings rather than witness him in a compromised state.
My friends and I sincerely hope Johnny’s health improves and that he can return to form in future performances. Even if he has "passed his peak," we are deeply grateful for all he has given to music and for the legacy that will live on through his recordings. He is a true living legend and deserves our utmost respect.
Gary Casper, 26 January 1997
