Johnny Winter, born in Beaumont, Texas, had a musician father who nurtured his musical talents. Johnny, as well as his brother Edgar, were performing as early as age 10.
As a child, Winter dreamed of playing with the blues guitarist Muddy Waters. His first recording, at age 15, was called “School Day Blues”. Around this time, he was also able to see live performances from blues artists such as Muddy Waters, BB King, and Bobby Bland.
His first album, “The Progressive Blues Experiment” on an Austin, Texas label includes covers from a number of blues artists, including B.B. King (“It’s My Own Fault”), Sonny Boy Williamson II (“Help Me”), and Slim Harpo (“I Got Love If You Want It”). Muddy Waters (“Rollin and Tumblin), and Howling Wolf (Forty Four), as well as his own compositions.
On Winter’s first Columbia album, Johnny Winter, he featured several blues musicians, bassist and composer, Willie Dixon, and Big Walter Horton on harmonica. His signature songs “Good Morning Little School Girl” (Sonny Boy Williamson) and “Be Careful With a Fool” (BB King) also appear on this album.
In 1974, he fulfilled his childhood dream of playing with Muddy Waters at the Blues Summit in Chicago concert. Winter later went on to produce several albums for Waters – “Hard Again”, “I’m Ready”, and “Muddy “Mississippi” Waters – Live”.
