“I had anticipated the tour to be very emotional, perhaps sad, and possibly difficult, but playing those songs turned out to be a great source of strength and comfort to me. Goode', 'Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo', and 'Jumpin' Jack Flash', dedicating the end of the set to Johnny. The first night, after playing 'Frankenstein', I closed the show with 'Johnny B. But much to my surprise, the promoters begged me to go on with the tour as planned, asking me to headline. It wasn’t until after I completed the Rock ‘N’ Blues Fest, a tour we were meant to do together with our respective bands, that the idea of a tribute record started to take form.”Įdgar explains, “I had naturally expected the whole thing to be canceled. But I was totally devastated and the timing just didn't feel right to me. He had traveled to Switzerland where his next show was scheduled, but he passed away in his sleep at the hotel in Zurich before he ever got the chance.Įdgar reflects, “Many people immediately started trying to convince me to do a Johnny Winter tribute album. Johnny had just played the Cahors Blues Festival in France, which was destined to become his last show. The project has been years in the making, Edgar was first approached about it just after his brother passed away on July 16, 2014. The guitar-driven album celebrates the expansive styles Johnny was known for - the 17 tracks were carefully curated by Edgar and producer Ross Hogarth to represent Johnny’s evolution as an artist, honoring his great legacy while also incorporating a personal tribute from brother to brother, and for which Edgar penned two new songs.

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. The album is a powerful sonic journey, traveling the course of Johnny’s musical life, impeccably directed, as only his brother Edgar could. Quarto Valley Records has announced the Aprelease of Brother Johnny, a tribute to the legendary blues guitarist created by his brother Edgar Winter.

Johnny winter roll with me