Edgar Winter
Encyclopedia
Edgar Holland Winter is an American
musician. He is famous for being a multi-instrumentalist
. He is a highly skilled keyboardist
, saxophonist and percussionist. He often plays an instrument while singing. He was most successful in the 1970s with his band, The Edgar Winter Group, notably with their popular song, "Free Ride". He has albinism
.
are albino, and both were required to take special education classes in high school. Winter states, "In school I had a lot of friends. I wore a lot of white shirts to, like, blend in I guess. No one really gave me a hard time about being albino or taking special education classes. Then again, I wasn't really popular."
By the time Edgar Winter left his hometown of Beaumont, Texas, in the 1960s, he was already technically proficient in every aspect of music. A child prodigy who achieved international success early on, Edgar has found an audience in every major entertainment medium—music, film and television.
A prolific writer, Edgar's music encompasses many different genres, including rock, jazz, blues, and pop. From his critically acclaimed 1970 debut release, Entrance
, he has demonstrated his unique style and ability to cross the genre lines and do the unexpected. His early recording of "Tobacco Road
" is a powerful, emotionally devastating masterpiece that propelled him into the national spotlight. Edgar followed Entrance with two hit albums backed by his group White Trash, a group originally composed of musicians from Texas and Louisiana. White Trash enjoyed huge success, both with the 1971 release of the studio album, Edgar Winter's White Trash, and with 1972's follow-up live gold album, Roadwork
.
In late 1972, Winter brought together Dan Hartman
, Ronnie Montrose
and Chuck Ruff
to form The Edgar Winter Group, the legendary band that created such hits as the number one "Frankenstein" and the ever popular "Free Ride
". Released in 1973, They Only Come Out at Night
peaked at the number 3 position on the Billboard Hot 200 and stayed on the charts for an impressive 80 weeks. It was certified gold in April 1973 and double platinum in November 1986.
Winter invented the keyboard body strap early in his career, an innovation that allows him the freedom to move around on stage during his multi-instrument high-energy performances. He was also the first artist to feature a synthesizer
as the main instrument in a song. "Frankenstein" revolutionized rock and roll and opened up a whole new world of possibilities with experimentation and sound.
After They Only Come Out At Night, Winter released Shock Treatment, featuring guitarist Rick Derringer
in place of Ronnie Montrose
. Later albums included Jasmine Nightdreams
, The Edgar Winter Group with Rick Derringer, a live album, Together Live With Johnny Winter, Recycled, a reunion with White Trash, Standing On Rock, Mission Earth
, Live In Japan, Not A Kid Anymore, The Real Deal, and Winter Blues.
With over 20 albums and numerous collaborative efforts to his credit, Edgar Winter has not been satisfied to ride the wave of popular music stardom. Major national television and radio campaigns have relied on Winter's music to advertise their products. Winter has also made frequent television appearances, both to promote his music, and to give his opinions on everything from Politically Incorrect to a commercial with George Hamilton for Miller Lite beer. He has appeared in the film Netherworld, and the TV shows The Cape, Mysterious Ways, David Letterman
, and The Jimmy Kimmel Show.
Winter's music can be heard in no fewer than fifteen film and television projects, including Netherworld, Air America, My Cousin Vinny, Encino Man, Son In Law, What's Love Got to do With It, Wayne's World 2, Starkid, Wag the Dog, Knockabout Guys, Duets, Radio, The Simpsons, Queer as Folk, and Tupac Resurrection. Winter's hauntingly beautiful song "Dying to Live" is featured as "Runnin” (Dying To Live) in the film Tupac Resurrection, the biography on the life of rapper Tupac Shakur. Produced by Eminem, the song uses the vocal talents of the Notorious B.I.G., Tupac, and Edgar Winter himself. "Runnin" is on numerous Billboard charts. It peaked at number 5 on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles Sales chart, and the soundtrack CD was number 1 for 8 consecutive weeks.
Winter's CD and DVD, titled, "Live At The Galaxy" was recorded live at the Galaxy Theatre for Classic Pictures in 2003. It features the songs, "Keep Playing That Rock and Roll", "Turn On Your Love Light", "Free Ride", "Texas", "Show Your Love", "New Orleans", "Frankenstein" and "Tobacco Road". In addition, the DVD includes a 30 Minute Documentary, "Edgar Winter: The Man and His Music".
. He has appeared in at least seven issues of the Church of Scientology
magazine Celebrity between 1995 and 2005, which list the Scientology courses that he has completed.
Winter also produced, arranged, and performed on the album Mission Earth
(1986). This album's words and music were written by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard
. Hubbard is said to have left detailed instructions and audio tapes for the musicians and producers to follow when making the album. Winter described Mission Earth as "both a return to rock’s primal roots and yet highly experimental." Winter wrote, "Ron's technical insight of the recording process was outstanding." Winter also described Hubbard's delineation of counter-rhythm in rock as something "which was nothing short of phenomenal, particularly in as much as it had then been entirely unexplored and only later heard in the African-based rhythms of Paul Simon
's work, some five years after Ron’s analysis."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
musician. He is famous for being a multi-instrumentalist
Multi-instrumentalist
A multi-instrumentalist is a musician who plays a number of different instruments.The Bachelor of Music degree usually requires a second instrument to be learned , but people who double on another instrument are not usually seen as multi-instrumentalists.-Classical music:Music written for Symphony...
. He is a highly skilled keyboardist
Keyboardist
A keyboardist is a musician who plays keyboard instruments. Until the early 1960s musicians who played keyboards were generally classified as either pianists or organists. Since the mid-1960s, a plethora of new musical instruments with keyboards have come into common usage, requiring a more...
, saxophonist and percussionist. He often plays an instrument while singing. He was most successful in the 1970s with his band, The Edgar Winter Group, notably with their popular song, "Free Ride". He has albinism
Albinism
Albinism is a congenital disorder characterized by the complete or partial absence of pigment in the skin, hair and eyes due to absence or defect of an enzyme involved in the production of melanin...
.
Biography
Winter was born to John Winter II and Edith Winter on December 28, 1946, it was cold -winter-, in Beaumont, Texas. Both he and his brother JohnnyJohnny Winter
John Dawson "Johnny" Winter III is an American blues guitarist, singer, and producer. Best known for his late 1960s and 1970s high-energy blues-rock albums and live performances, Winter also produced three Grammy Award-winning albums for blues legend Muddy Waters...
are albino, and both were required to take special education classes in high school. Winter states, "In school I had a lot of friends. I wore a lot of white shirts to, like, blend in I guess. No one really gave me a hard time about being albino or taking special education classes. Then again, I wasn't really popular."
By the time Edgar Winter left his hometown of Beaumont, Texas, in the 1960s, he was already technically proficient in every aspect of music. A child prodigy who achieved international success early on, Edgar has found an audience in every major entertainment medium—music, film and television.
A prolific writer, Edgar's music encompasses many different genres, including rock, jazz, blues, and pop. From his critically acclaimed 1970 debut release, Entrance
Entrance (album)
-Track listing:All songs written by Edgar and Johnny Winter except where noted.#"Entrance" - 3:31#"Where Have You Gone" - 2:39#"Rise to Fall" - 4:04#"Fire and Ice" - 6:38#"Hung Up" - 3:14#"Back in the Blues" - 2:17#"Re-Entrance" - 2:29...
, he has demonstrated his unique style and ability to cross the genre lines and do the unexpected. His early recording of "Tobacco Road
Tobacco Road
Tobacco Road refers to the tobacco-producing area of North Carolina and is often used when referring to sports played among rival North Carolina universities...
" is a powerful, emotionally devastating masterpiece that propelled him into the national spotlight. Edgar followed Entrance with two hit albums backed by his group White Trash, a group originally composed of musicians from Texas and Louisiana. White Trash enjoyed huge success, both with the 1971 release of the studio album, Edgar Winter's White Trash, and with 1972's follow-up live gold album, Roadwork
Roadwork (album)
Roadwork is a live album by vocalist/keyboardist/saxophonist Edgar Winter and his band White Trash, a powerful revue famous for their fusion of funk, gospel, R&B, and rock 'n' roll. It was released as a double LP in 1972...
.
In late 1972, Winter brought together Dan Hartman
Dan Hartman
Daniel Earl "Dan" Hartman was an American singer, songwriter and record producer, best known for such songs as: "Free Ride", "I Can Dream About You", "Instant Replay", "Love Sensation", and "Relight My Fire", all of which had world-wide success.-Career:Born in Pennsylvania's capital, Harrisburg,...
, Ronnie Montrose
Ronnie Montrose
Ronnie Montrose, is an Amercian rock guitarist who has headed his own bands as well as performing with a variety of musicians, including Sammy Hagar, Herbie Hancock, Van Morrison, The Beau Brummels, Boz Scaggs, Beaver & Krause, Gary Wright, Tony Williams, The Neville Brothers, Dan Hartman, Edgar...
and Chuck Ruff
Chuck ruff (musician)
Chuck Ruff was an American rock drummer well known for his work with Edgar Winter on the popular instrumental "Frankenstein".-Biography:...
to form The Edgar Winter Group, the legendary band that created such hits as the number one "Frankenstein" and the ever popular "Free Ride
Free Ride (song)
Free Ride is a song written by Dan Hartman and performed by The Edgar Winter Group. The single, engineered by Jim Reeves, was a top 20 U.S. hit in 1973, hitting number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. The song is sometimes mistakenly attributed to The Doobie Brothers or Boston, perhaps because of...
". Released in 1973, They Only Come Out at Night
They Only Come Out at Night
*They Only Come Out at Night is the fourth studio album by The Edgar Winter Group. It went to No. 3 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart, eventually sold two million copies, and features two of the band's biggest hits, "Frankenstein" and "Free Ride" .In 2006, the album was reissued on Super Audio CD...
peaked at the number 3 position on the Billboard Hot 200 and stayed on the charts for an impressive 80 weeks. It was certified gold in April 1973 and double platinum in November 1986.
Winter invented the keyboard body strap early in his career, an innovation that allows him the freedom to move around on stage during his multi-instrument high-energy performances. He was also the first artist to feature a synthesizer
Synthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
as the main instrument in a song. "Frankenstein" revolutionized rock and roll and opened up a whole new world of possibilities with experimentation and sound.
After They Only Come Out At Night, Winter released Shock Treatment, featuring guitarist Rick Derringer
Rick Derringer
Rick Derringer is an American guitarist, vocalist, and entertainer.-1960s:When he was seventeen years old, his band The McCoys recorded "Hang on Sloopy" in the summer of 1965, which became the number one song in America before "Yesterday" by The Beatles knocked it out of the top spot. The song was...
in place of Ronnie Montrose
Ronnie Montrose
Ronnie Montrose, is an Amercian rock guitarist who has headed his own bands as well as performing with a variety of musicians, including Sammy Hagar, Herbie Hancock, Van Morrison, The Beau Brummels, Boz Scaggs, Beaver & Krause, Gary Wright, Tony Williams, The Neville Brothers, Dan Hartman, Edgar...
. Later albums included Jasmine Nightdreams
Jasmine Nightdreams
-Track listing:#"One Day Tomorrow" – 3:13 #"Little Brother" – 4:08 #"Hello Mellow Feelin'" – 2:47 #"Tell Me In A Whisper" – 3:25 #"Shuffle-Low" – 4:19...
, The Edgar Winter Group with Rick Derringer, a live album, Together Live With Johnny Winter, Recycled, a reunion with White Trash, Standing On Rock, Mission Earth
Mission Earth (album)
- See also :* Space Jazz* The Road to Freedom...
, Live In Japan, Not A Kid Anymore, The Real Deal, and Winter Blues.
With over 20 albums and numerous collaborative efforts to his credit, Edgar Winter has not been satisfied to ride the wave of popular music stardom. Major national television and radio campaigns have relied on Winter's music to advertise their products. Winter has also made frequent television appearances, both to promote his music, and to give his opinions on everything from Politically Incorrect to a commercial with George Hamilton for Miller Lite beer. He has appeared in the film Netherworld, and the TV shows The Cape, Mysterious Ways, David Letterman
David Letterman
David Michael Letterman is an American television host and comedian. He hosts the late night television talk show, Late Show with David Letterman, broadcast on CBS. Letterman has been a fixture on late night television since the 1982 debut of Late Night with David Letterman on NBC...
, and The Jimmy Kimmel Show.
Winter's music can be heard in no fewer than fifteen film and television projects, including Netherworld, Air America, My Cousin Vinny, Encino Man, Son In Law, What's Love Got to do With It, Wayne's World 2, Starkid, Wag the Dog, Knockabout Guys, Duets, Radio, The Simpsons, Queer as Folk, and Tupac Resurrection. Winter's hauntingly beautiful song "Dying to Live" is featured as "Runnin” (Dying To Live) in the film Tupac Resurrection, the biography on the life of rapper Tupac Shakur. Produced by Eminem, the song uses the vocal talents of the Notorious B.I.G., Tupac, and Edgar Winter himself. "Runnin" is on numerous Billboard charts. It peaked at number 5 on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles Sales chart, and the soundtrack CD was number 1 for 8 consecutive weeks.
Winter's CD and DVD, titled, "Live At The Galaxy" was recorded live at the Galaxy Theatre for Classic Pictures in 2003. It features the songs, "Keep Playing That Rock and Roll", "Turn On Your Love Light", "Free Ride", "Texas", "Show Your Love", "New Orleans", "Frankenstein" and "Tobacco Road". In addition, the DVD includes a 30 Minute Documentary, "Edgar Winter: The Man and His Music".
Scientologist
Winter is a ScientologistScientology
Scientology is a body of beliefs and related practices created by science fiction and fantasy author L. Ron Hubbard , starting in 1952, as a successor to his earlier self-help system, Dianetics...
. He has appeared in at least seven issues of the Church of Scientology
Church of Scientology
The Church of Scientology is an organization devoted to the practice and the promotion of the Scientology belief system. The Church of Scientology International is the Church of Scientology's parent organization, and is responsible for the overall ecclesiastical management, dissemination and...
magazine Celebrity between 1995 and 2005, which list the Scientology courses that he has completed.
Winter also produced, arranged, and performed on the album Mission Earth
Mission Earth (album)
- See also :* Space Jazz* The Road to Freedom...
(1986). This album's words and music were written by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard
L. Ron Hubbard
Lafayette Ronald Hubbard , better known as L. Ron Hubbard , was an American pulp fiction author and religious leader who founded the Church of Scientology...
. Hubbard is said to have left detailed instructions and audio tapes for the musicians and producers to follow when making the album. Winter described Mission Earth as "both a return to rock’s primal roots and yet highly experimental." Winter wrote, "Ron's technical insight of the recording process was outstanding." Winter also described Hubbard's delineation of counter-rhythm in rock as something "which was nothing short of phenomenal, particularly in as much as it had then been entirely unexplored and only later heard in the African-based rhythms of Paul Simon
Paul Simon
Paul Frederic Simon is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist.Simon is best known for his success, beginning in 1965, as part of the duo Simon & Garfunkel, with musical partner Art Garfunkel. Simon wrote most of the pair's songs, including three that reached number one on the US singles...
's work, some five years after Ron’s analysis."
Studio and live albums
- EntranceEntrance (album)-Track listing:All songs written by Edgar and Johnny Winter except where noted.#"Entrance" - 3:31#"Where Have You Gone" - 2:39#"Rise to Fall" - 4:04#"Fire and Ice" - 6:38#"Hung Up" - 3:14#"Back in the Blues" - 2:17#"Re-Entrance" - 2:29...
(1970) - Edgar Winter's White TrashEdgar Winter's White Trash (album)Edgar Winter's White Trash is the second studio album by Edgar Winter, and his first with his group White Trash. The album reached 111 on the Billboard charts, and produced the single "Keep Playin' That Rock and Roll" that went to No.70 on Billboard's Top 100.-Track listing:#"Give It Everything You...
(1971) - RoadworkRoadwork (album)Roadwork is a live album by vocalist/keyboardist/saxophonist Edgar Winter and his band White Trash, a powerful revue famous for their fusion of funk, gospel, R&B, and rock 'n' roll. It was released as a double LP in 1972...
(1972) - They Only Come Out at NightThey Only Come Out at Night*They Only Come Out at Night is the fourth studio album by The Edgar Winter Group. It went to No. 3 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart, eventually sold two million copies, and features two of the band's biggest hits, "Frankenstein" and "Free Ride" .In 2006, the album was reissued on Super Audio CD...
(1972) - Shock Treatment (1974)
- Jasmine NightdreamsJasmine Nightdreams-Track listing:#"One Day Tomorrow" – 3:13 #"Little Brother" – 4:08 #"Hello Mellow Feelin'" – 2:47 #"Tell Me In A Whisper" – 3:25 #"Shuffle-Low" – 4:19...
(1975) - The Edgar Winter Group With Rick Derringer (1975)
- TogetherTogether: Edgar Winter and Johnny Winter LiveTogether: Edgar Winter and Johnny Winter Live is a 1976 album by brothers Johnny Winter and Edgar Winter.-Track listing:#"Harlem Shuffle"#"Soul Man"#"You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'"...
(1976) - Recycled (1977)
- The Edgar Winter Album (1979)
- Standing on Rock (1981)
- Mission EarthMission Earth (album)- See also :* Space Jazz* The Road to Freedom...
(1986) - Not a Kid Anymore (1994)
- The Real Deal (1996)
- Live in Japan (1998) (With Rick Derringer)
- Winter Blues (1999)
- Edgar Winter (2002)
- Jazzin' the Blues (2004)
- Rebel RoadRebel Road (album)Rebel Road is an album by vocalist/saxophonist Edgar Winter. It was released on July 8, 2008 by Airline Records. The album features lead and solo guitar work by Slash on the single "Rebel Road", vocals and harmonica by Clint Black on "The Power of Positive Drinking" and "On the Horns of a Dilemma",...
(2008)
Producer
- Open FireOpen Fire (Ronnie Montrose album)Open Fire was the first instrumental album from Ronnie Montrose which explored jazz, rock and acoustic concepts in the vein of Blow by Blow by Jeff Beck. Ronnie dropped hints in previous Montrose albums that he was heading in this direction. Songs like "Whaler" and "One And a Half" from Warner...
by Ronnie MontroseRonnie MontroseRonnie Montrose, is an Amercian rock guitarist who has headed his own bands as well as performing with a variety of musicians, including Sammy Hagar, Herbie Hancock, Van Morrison, The Beau Brummels, Boz Scaggs, Beaver & Krause, Gary Wright, Tony Williams, The Neville Brothers, Dan Hartman, Edgar...
- (1978) producer, pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, harpsichordHarpsichordA harpsichord is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It produces sound by plucking a string when a key is pressed.In the narrow sense, "harpsichord" designates only the large wing-shaped instruments in which the strings are perpendicular to the keyboard... - Crazy from the HeatCrazy from the Heat (EP)Crazy from the Heat is a 1985 EP by David Lee Roth, his debut solo release. It was released while he was still a member of Van Halen. All four songs on the EP are cover versions, with Roth's version of the Beach Boys hit "California Girls" peaking at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100, which was the same...
(1985) (David Lee RothDavid Lee RothDavid Lee Roth is an American rock vocalist, songwriter, actor, author, and former radio personality. Roth was ranked nineteenth by Hit Parader on their list of the 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Singers of All Time....
Session Work)