On Stage Interview
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ONON STSTAGEAGE INTERVIEWINTERVIEW “Music is very spiritual. It has the power to bring people together from all different backgrounds and walks of life,” -Edgar Winter By Glenn Swift s one of rock and roll’s most influential artists, Winter has achieved international success by combining a number of different musical genres: rock, jazz, blues and pop. An exceptional key- board player, brilliant saxophonist, pro- lific bassist and highly-skilled percus- sionist, Winter has recorded 20 albums and CDs during a spectacular record- ing career that has spanned nearly four decades. His numerous and diverse talents have entertained audi- ences on television and the motion pic- ture screen as well. In a nutshell, you could say that Edgar Winter has come as close as anyone in the modern era to “doing it all.” “I came from a very musical family,” said Winter. “My father had a barber Photo Provided shop quartet and played the saxo- phone, mom played classical piano, When barely into their teens, Johnny blues and would have to list Ray White Trash was immediately followed my grandfather played the fiddle, and began working with country guitarist, Charles as my greatest influence.” up with a live album, Roadwork, which my great grandfather was a trumpet Luther Naley, and Edgar took piano enjoyed spectacular commercial suc- player.” instruction from Hazel Bergman. After recording with a number of his cess. brother’s bands in the mid to late And then there’s Johnny. “Hazel was very liberal in her approach 1960s, Edgar was signed to his own Building upon the momentum of his and encouraged me to explore a num- Epic Records contract in 1970. His ini- first three albums, Winter then formed Considered by many to be one of the ber of different types of music. She tial release, Entrance, unveiled a new group – The Edgar Winter world’s greatest blues guitar virtuosos, also taught me music theory and how Winter’s uncanny ability to cross over Group, which included Dan Hartman, Edgar’s older brother was respectfully to write arrangements. Although my traditional musical boundaries and to guitar player extraordinaire Ronnie referred to by the late blues icon, eyesight has always been very poor do the unexpected. His rendition of Montrose and Chuck Ruff. Muddy Waters, as “my adopted son.” and has prevented me from being able “Tobacco Road” was especially hailed to sight read, the musical foundation I by critics and garnered Winter consid- “Growing up and playing with Johnny “Johnny and I grew up around music. received early on from Hazel has erable acclaim. in the early years spoiled me as far as In fact, one of my earliest memories is helped me enormously over the great guitar players go, and I was my brother and I each holding a years.” He followed up his groundbreaking blown away by Montrose the first time ukulele as dad taught us some album a year later with an extraordi- I heard him.” chords,” smiled Winter. Both boys learned quickly, and while nary compilation of fellow musicians still in high school, the two brothers from Texas and Lousiana. The album, The Edgar Winter Group produced a Needless to say, dad didn’t wait very from Beaumont, Texas began playing White Trash (named after the group) number of big-time hits of which the long to introduce his sons to the world at a number of local watering holes. was a powerful, emotionally-charged best known was the all-instrumental of music. rock masterpiece that immediately rock mantra, “Frankenstein.” The “Coming from southeastern Texas, we thrust Winter into the national spotlight. blockbuster song was the first to fea- “I was four and Johnny was seven,” were exposed to all the great R&B “I had been playing with most of the ture a synthesizer as the main instru- laughed Winter. “Our hands were too artists of the 1950s, as well as the dis- guys in White Trash since my high ment and eventually hit number one on small to play guitar.” tinctive sound of nearby New Orleans. school days. We cut our teeth together the charts. It has remained a rock and Like so many of the rock and rollers my on rock and roll.” roll anthem ever since. 8 LocalBuzzMag.com June/July ISSUE 2007 age, I was heavily influenced by the ONON STSTAGEAGE INTERVIEWINTERVIEW The Group’s first album, They Only “It’s hard for me to understand why Come Out at Night, which includes the some people only want to listen to one revolutionary tune, opened up a whole type of music…that’s so limiting. One new world of possibilities with regard of music’s great qualities is in its rich- to experimentation in sound. Over ness, its diversity.” three decades later, most Classic Rock gurus continue to regard it as one of Winter is currently working on a new the greatest rock albums of all time. album featuring a powerful new single, “Rebel Road.” Apart from being a The amazing album also contains great, hard driving rock and roll song, another rock mainstay, “Free Ride.” “Rebel Road” has personal meaning The song was a Top 15 single and fea- for Winter and reflects his disdain of tured another high-powered master on being labeled or categorized in any lead guitar, Rick Derringer. way. “I’ve always considered myself a bit of a rebel and this song symbolizes “I first heard Rick at Club Tarot in New my passion to venture out and explore York City. I was amazed at how much new horizons.” his style complimented mine. In fact, I was convinced he had to be from With regard to his upcoming concert at Texas or Louisiana,” cracked Winter. the Lyric Theatre in Stuart, Winter had this to say: “The Lyric is one of my top The two have practically formed a ten favorite places to play in the whole mutual admiration society ever since. country. It’s very intimate and the “Rick is definitely one of the finest play- acoustics are great. I’m also very ers ever to strap on a guitar,” said grateful for the appreciative audiences Winter. we get at the Lyric time and time again. The whole band feeds off their energy.” While the White Trash and Edgar Winter Group days may have been the As for what you can expect, Winter peak for Winter with regard to com- summed things up this way… mercial success and fame, the amaz- ing musician continues to promote his “Get ready to rock and roll!” music to audiences all over the world. Unsatisfied to simply ride the wave of Don’t miss out on the opportu- popular music stardom, Winter contin- nity to hear one of rock music’s ues to explore new opportunities for most legendary performers, the his boundless creativity. In fact, his one and only Edgar Winter. The music can be heard in no fewer than concert is scheduled for 7pm fifteen film and television projects. This on June 9th at the Lyric Theatre past year, Winter also toured with the likes of Rod Argent and Billy Squire in in historic downtown Stuart. For Ringo Starr’s highly-acclaimed All Star ticket information, call Band. 772-286-7827 or visit www.lyrictheatre.com. 9 LocalBuzzMag.com June/July ISSUE 2007 .