![]() ![]() “So, in his name,” he said, “I dedicate this album, Brother Johnny.” Not only did we learn to play music together, but because we were both albino, we shared a uniquely personal perspective on life different than anyone else’s…So much has happened to both of us since then, but one thing will always remain the same: that bond of brotherhood, of family, of music, and of love.” As Edgar says, “As kids, we were inseparable, much closer than average brothers. ![]() It has happened and, despite the pandemic presenting the usual difficulties, the result is a fitting and lasting memorial to one of the greatest blues guitarists to grace studio and stage. If it weren’t for him, you wouldn’t be where you are today. You owe that acknowledgement to your older brother. Edgar explains why it took longer than the record company wanted: over the following years as talk of a tribute album continued, my wife Monique, whose intuition I trust more than my own, said, “I think you have to make this album, both for Johnny, for yourself, and for the world. Johnny had just played the Cahors Blues Festival in France, then travelled to Switzerland where his next show was scheduled, but he passed away in his sleep at the hotel in Zurich. This latest album from Edgar, called lovingly, Brother Johnny features some of Johnny’s best-known originals and covers with a host of major stars who knew, or was inspired by Johnny, including Joe Bonamassa, Doyle Bramhall II, John McFee, Robben Ford, Billy Gibbons, Taylor Hawkins, Warren Haynes, Steve Lukather, Keb Mo, Bobby Rush, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Ringo Starr, Derek Trucks, Joe Walsh and Gregg Bissonette to name a few…now that is is a guest list to dream about! The project was first suggested to Edgar just after his brother passed away on July 16, 2014. (Edgar also introduced me to Ronnie Montrose as he was in the band at the time before going on to form Montrose and release some spectacular stuff too.) I loved the riff and sought out the album it was from…later I discovered he had a brother who played the guitar and I bought their live album Together: Edgar and Johnny Winter Live and as a result bought Johnny’s albums because he was a gifted guitarist and I was already a guitar mad teenager plus, he played the blues so well. I went to my first concert that year (Deep Purple at Newcastle City Hall, where my love of Nazareth was born as they were the superb support) and watched The Old Grey Whistle Test and Top of the Pops each week hoping for rock on the latter, but often having to settle for Pans People! Then this band appeared on the show, led by a white-haired bloke – Edgar Winter – with a keyboard slung around his neck he unleashed that monster instrumental. The first single ‘Johnny B.As an introduction to a musician, not many could beat the first time I heard a spectacular and different instrumental piece called Frankenstein: back in 1972 when it was released, I was already obsessed with heavy rock. “Quarto Valley Records is honoured to be releasing Edgar’s tribute to his brother Johnny” said founder and owner of Quarto Valley Records Bruce Quarto, before adding “The album is nothing short of a masterpiece. Joining Edgar on the inclusive project is an impressive array of renowned musicians who knew, or were inspired by Johnny, including Joe Bonamassa, Doyle Bramhall II, John McFee, Robben Ford, Billy Gibbons, David Grissom, Taylor Hawkins, Warren Haynes, Steve Lukather, Michael McDonald, Keb Mo, Doug Rappoport, Bobby Rush, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Ringo Starr, Derek Trucks, Waddy Wachtel, Joe Walsh, Phil X and Gregg Bissonette. It’s a tribute by his brother Edgar Winter. Quarto Valley Records proudly announces that the release of ‘ Brother Johnny’ will be Apand available on CD, vinyl and digitally across all platforms. ![]()
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