BLUE SKY Records

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Blue Sky Records was a record label established in the 1970s, closely associated with Johnny Winter and his work. Initially set up as a subsidiary of Columbia Records (CBS), Blue Sky was intended to provide a dedicated platform for the blues and rock musicians that Johnny Winter was championing. Although Winter was not the official founder, his influence and involvement were instrumental in its creation, and he was its most prominent artist, helping define the label’s musical direction and identity.

Blue Sky Records primarily focused on blues-rock, a genre that Johnny Winter was known for revitalizing during this period. The label became a home for artists who embodied a raw, unfiltered rock and blues sound. Winter himself released several key albums through Blue Sky, including Still Alive and Well (1973), Saints & Sinners (1974), and John Dawson Winter III (1974), which were significant to his career and brought considerable attention to the label. His involvement added credibility to Blue Sky, establishing it as a haven for authentic blues and rock talent.

Aside from Johnny Winter, Blue Sky Records also signed his brother Edgar Winter, another influential artist in the blues-rock and rock fusion scenes. Edgar released successful albums under the label, such as They Only Come Out at Night (1972), which included his hit “Frankenstein.” Additionally, legendary blues musician Muddy Waters recorded three Grammy-winning albums with Blue Sky in the late 1970s (Hard Again, I’m Ready, and King Bee), all produced by Johnny Winter. This collaboration with Waters added prestige to Blue Sky, solidifying its reputation in blues music.

Blue Sky Records ceased operations in the early 1980s, largely due to shifts in the music industry and changes in CBS’s strategic direction. However, its impact on blues and rock remains noteworthy, with Johnny Winter’s contributions to the label leaving a lasting legacy. Today, Blue Sky Records is remembered for its role in Johnny Winter’s career, its contributions to the blues revival of the 1970s, and its commitment to the raw energy of blues-rock music.

Photo of Johnny Winter - https://vinyl-records.nl/johnny-winter/biography/index.html

JOHNNY WINTER: Raised On Rock b/w Stranger 7" Vinyl Record
Raised on Rock's Front Cover
Raised on Rock's Front Cover The artwork captures Johnny Winter mid-performance, dressed in a blue shirt, his iconic long blond hair flowing down as he holds his guitar with intensity. The photo portrays him immersed in his music, a typical stance for Winter, whose expressive performances are a hallmark of his style. The design keeps it simple yet effective, with a bold, yellow-orange font for the title “RAISED ON ROCK” and “JOHNNY WINTER” in contrasting colors, making his name stand out prominently. The overall aesthetic emphasizes Winter’s powerful presence as a rock and blues icon, resonating with the gritty, unfiltered energy that defined much of his career.

The image shows the cover art for Johnny Winter’s single “Raised on Rock” with the B-side titled “Stranger.” It’s released under the Blue Sky record label, as seen from the label logo in the upper left corner.

The artwork captures Johnny Winter mid-performance, dressed in a blue shirt, his iconic long blond hair flowing down as he holds his guitar with intensity. The photo portrays him immersed in his music, a typical stance for Winter, whose expressive performances are a hallmark of his style. The design keeps it simple yet effective, with a bold, yellow-orange font for the title “RAISED ON ROCK” and “JOHNNY WINTER” in contrasting colors, making his name stand out prominently. The overall aesthetic emphasizes Winter’s powerful presence as a rock and blues icon, resonating with the gritty, unfiltered energy that defined much of his career.

Raised on Rock's Back Cover
Raised on Rock's Back Cover This image features the cover for Johnny Winter’s album John Dawson Winter III, as indicated by the title on the right side of the cover. The design has a formal and elegant tone, showing Winter in a sophisticated black tuxedo with a white shirt and bow tie, a departure from his usual rock-and-roll attire. His pose is contemplative, with one hand in his pocket, giving him a poised and refined look.

This image features the cover for Johnny Winter’s album John Dawson Winter III, as indicated by the title on the right side of the cover. The design has a formal and elegant tone, showing Winter in a sophisticated black tuxedo with a white shirt and bow tie, a departure from his usual rock-and-roll attire. His pose is contemplative, with one hand in his pocket, giving him a poised and refined look.

The label Blue Sky is displayed in the upper left corner, while “LANGSPIELPLATTE” (meaning “long-playing record” in German) is prominently placed at the top, suggesting this is a German release. The catalogue number “EPC 80 586” appears at the bottom right, completing the look of a vinyl release marketed in Europe.

The design captures a different side of Winter, emphasizing a polished, almost classical image. This sophisticated presentation contrasts with his raw musical style, suggesting versatility in both his artistic persona and appeal.

Raised On Rock (Mark Jones)

Blue Sky record label for Johnny Winter’s single Raised on Rock, catalogue number SKY S 3092, made in Germany with production credits to Shelly Yakus, released in 1975 under John Dawson Winter III album.
Blue Sky record label for Johnny Winter’s 1975 single “Raised on Rock,” produced by Shelly Yakus and released in Germany as part of the John Dawson Winter III album.

Music Genre:

Rock, Blues Rock

Band-Name/Performers:

JOHNNY WINTER

Record Label Information

SKY S 3092

Blue Sky
Urheber- und Leistungsschutzrechte, ausser zum privaten Gebrauch, bleiben vorbehalten

GEMA
Single 1
2:57

SKY S 3092
Stereo Germany
Screen Gems-Columbia Music Inc. /
Marks Music Inc.
(P) 1975
45 RPM

RAISED ON ROCK
(Mark Jones)
Produced by Shelly Yakus
From the LP CBS 80 586
JOHN DAWSON WINTER III
JOHNNY WINTER
Made in Germany
CBS INC. / STEREO / GERMANY CBS SCHALLPLATTEN-GMBH, 2000 HAMBURG 19 / ALL RIGHTS OF THE PRODUCER AND OF THE OWNER OF THE WORK REPRODUCED RESERVED. UNAUTHORIZED COPYING, HIRING, LENDING, PUBLIC PERFORMANCE AND BROADCASTING OF THIS RECORD PROHIBITED.

Stranger (J. Winter)

Blue Sky record label for Johnny Winter’s single Stranger, catalogue number SKY S 3092, made in Germany with production credits to Shelly Yakus, released in 1975 under John Dawson Winter III album.
Blue Sky record label for Johnny Winter’s 1975 single “Stranger,” produced by Shelly Yakus and released in Germany as part of the John Dawson Winter III album.

Music Genre:

Rock, Blues Rock

Band-Name/Performers:

JOHNNY WINTER

Record Label Information

SKY S 3092

GEMA
Side 2

2:54

SKY S 3092
Stereo Germany
Winter Blues Music Inc.
(P) 1975
45 RPM

STRANGER
(J. Winter)
Produced by Shelly Yakus
From the LP CBS 80 586
JOHN DAWSON WINTER III
JOHNNY WINTER
Made in Germany
CBS INC. / STEREO / GERMANY CBS SCHALLPLATTEN-GMBH, 2000 HAMBURG 19 / ALL RIGHTS OF THE PRODUCER AND OF THE OWNER OF THE WORK REPRODUCED RESERVED. UNAUTHORIZED COPYING, HIRING, LENDING, PUBLIC PERFORMANCE AND BROADCASTING OF THIS RECORD PROHIBITED.