State Live Music

Though he'd been making music since 1959 and had recorded for regional labels for years, not many people knew about Texas guitarist Johnny Winter until Rolling Stone magazine lauded him in a 1968 feature. His blues-drenched, self-titled Columbia debut (on which Willie Dixon guested) was released the next year, followed by the hard rocking Second Winter and Johnny Winter And...Live. During the late 70's, Winter's alliance with Muddy Waters marked a de-emphasis of the 'rock' side of the blues-rock equation, and by 1983's Grammy-nominated Guitar Slinger, Winter's roots were in full evidence. Long considered one of the most accomplished guitarists (slide and otherwise) around, Winter was inducted into the Blue's Foundation's Hall of Fame in 1986.