Johnny Winter

Deezer-I was really happy to read some great interviews about Johnny feeling better and getting rid of the jerk that was stealing his money and supplying him with drugs, etc.  We are seeing him in September with Edgar and Rick Derringer.  At first I thought I'd have to sell my tickets because of a conflict, but it worked out.  I'm sure we'll hear how he was at Crossroads.

Speaking of Johnny, just found this. Very sad.

From Austin Anerican Statesman

Legendary blues drummer ‘Uncle John’ Turner dies

Thursday, July 26, 2007, 07:04 AM

From Mark Murray:

B.B King once exclaimed, “Man, I can set my watch to your time!”

Legendary Texas blues drummer “Uncle John” Turner died Thursday, July 26th, in Austin, Texas from complications related to hepatitis C. He was 62 years old.

Born in Port Arthur, Texas, Uncle John was a childhood friend of another southeast Texas native, Johnny Winter. While playing drums with Winter in 1968, Turner convinced him to try a full-blown blues band format and sent for his friend Tommy Shannon to play bass. Success quickly followed, and the trio went on to record what many consider to be three of Johnny Winter’s finest albums: “The Progressive Blues Experiment,” “Johnny Winter,” and “Second Winter.” With fourth member Edgar Winter, they played Woodstock in 1969, as well as numerous other festivals and shows around the world.

After splitting with Johnny Winter in 1970, Uncle John moved to Austin, where he and Shannon formed Krackerjack, a band featuring a young Stevie Ray Vaughan on guitar. Throughout his long career, Turner played or recorded with many great artists, including B.B. King, Jimi Hendrix, Freddie King, Muddy Waters, and Lightnin’ Hopkins.

During the 80s and 90s, Turner continued to shape Austin’s blues scene, playing with guitarist Alan Haynes and with Appa Perry’s Blues Power. A great friend and mentor to young blues artists during this time, Turner helped launch the careers of many Austin musicians, including Gary Clark, Jr., Erin Jaimes, Mike Keller, Eve Monsees, and Carolyn Wonderland.

In November of 2006, Uncle John Turner was reunited with Johnny Winter and Tommy Shannon during Winter’s show at Austin’s La Zona Rosa nightclub. It was the trio’s first live performance together in more than 20 years, and it proved to be a very special night for everyone lucky enough to witness the sold-out event.

A benefit concert planned for Uncle John Turner at Antone’s nightclub in Austin on August 1st will go on as scheduled. Johnny Winter, Tommy Shannon, and other friends and former band mates are among the performers scheduled to appear. Event profits will be used to offset medical bills and final arrangements, as well as to assist talented young blues artists. Additional information is posted online at www.uncathon.com. Along with a guestbook for messages for Uncle John’s friends and family, information regarding donations and other pertinent details may also be found there. An additional memorial event is being planned; details are forthcoming.

Uncle John Turner is survived by his wife Morgan.

Johnny is playing at the House of Blues in New Orleans 10/11/07. I'm supposed to be working nights for a shutdown but I'm going even if I have to call in.

Sorry to hear about "Uncle John" Turner, I was born and raised in Port Arthur and had seen him play with Johnny before a long time ago. Johnny is getting around better these days, he had a hip replacement a couple of years ago so he doesn't have to sit down to play any more. I saw him a few years back at the Janis Joplin birthday bash in Port Arthur and he wasn't able to get around very well back then.

You mentioned Antones in Austin is giving a benefit, hopefully they will have a good turnout so "Uncle John's" bills can be payed off. I know that Clifford Antone was a huge fan of the blues until the day he died. He was also from Port Arthur and died last May from a heart attack at the age of 56. It's a shame we all have to grow old but it's a fact of life that none of us will be around forever.

Paul

Captured Live at the San Diego Sports Arena & the Oakland Coliseum 1976, still one my favorite collections of Johnny's. I was in Oakland for the show which Edgar & White Trash and Johnny, featuring 17 or 18 yr. old Floyd Radford accompanying Johnny on guitar, opened for Lynyrd Skynyrd. Shred were ya' there, if you don't remember I understand. It was a hazy memory for me, thank God Johnny released it to revive my memories of that Day On The Green.

                                                                                                       Think Green,

                                                                                                       J Dawg

DAWG, didnt miss any of the "Days on the Green", you'd get there at 2am. park on the otherside of the freeway, start partying, tore up by the time the gates opened at 10am. Always 7-10 performers, some of the biggest names in the world too!........ Float home at night looking like Colonel Klink and popeye.......What are we still doing alive!!! Wish i could turn back the clock.....on second thought probably not a good idea, if you know were I'm coming from.

Shred

Well, after seeing Johnny at Crossroads (internet anyway), I am absolutely stoked about seeing him this Friday.