As a lifelong worshiper of Johnny Winter, my in depth indoctrination to Muddy came through the Grammy winning collaborations of Muddy and Johnny in the late 70s. With James Cotton, Pinetop Perkins, Bob Margolin, these guys updated and created some rich, timeless blues that I still listen to every chance I get. Johnny and Muddy loved each other, and I still love them both!
A chance to see Muddy was like going to heaven. I’d those moments a few times. Muddy was @ the very edge, only Sinatra matched him in my experience in terms of having the audience in the palm of his hand! The best show was at the Red Rail, Nanuet, NY 1975 or so. For the record the Red Rail was the greatest Road House EVER. So an early in the week night event with a packed house, 200+, hot summer evening. This is a 1 room place with a 2 foot stage, barely big enough to hold the band. 3 long sets later, Mud smiling all the while, every song finishing to a standing ovation while everyone danced the night away. Easily a Top 10 All Time Night for me…
I saw him 4 times and said hello to him once. He was THE MAN! The Rolling Stones and Clapton would not be still playing if it wasn't for McKinley Morganfield!
Great read....again, Alan. You know, I know this is about Muddy, but I can't help but ask, why Johnny has never gotten his just dues by the mainstream R&R (read that HoF) world. I mean, he was the first cover of Guitar World and was unquestionably one the the best blues and slide guitarists of all time imho. Never saw Muddy, but I saw Johnny countless times, and he picked a lot like Muddy, with a thumb pick and fingers. He even produced 3 of Muddy's records in his heyday. Last time I saw him was on a co-bill with Gov't Mule in Bowling Green, Ky, and Warren and the Mule boys literally had to help get him get out to the stage where he sat down and just ripped it for the entire show on that Lazer guitar he favored in the later days (no head stock) . If Johnny Winter isn't a worthy HOF'er and the Black Eyed Peas are, there's something obviously broken with that place imo. Just saying.
Yeah. It's pretty meaningless. Now, it means a lot to the people in it, and especially to the less mainstream artists in blues, r&B etc. But I hate to ever cite it when I write about bands. I mean, Little Feat isn't in there and I think they have more of a claim than Johnny, just based on their catalog.
I am happy the place exists as a Museum and educates people about Bob Wills and Moby Grape and a million other crucial but not well known artists. As an actual HOF? Pretty silly.
Yep, and you're right, the Feat? I mean, get real! But, they're both in the HoF in our hearts and minds, and that's what counts to me. Probably the only band I've seen more than JW is Little Feat! Once I listened to Waiting For Columbus, I was a lifer. Two great shows coming up in Franklin, Tn in Oct, TTB and the Feat on the same bill. And that's right on the heels of Gov't Mule the week before in BG, Ky. Yee hah, I can't wait!
Yeah. And you can make an argument that JW isn’t rock, wasn’t mainstream enough, whatever. But Feat? It’s just a narrow taste band. But Jann is out and I do think it’s improved. zevon finally in
He was beyond amazing. What a presence. What a voice. Hello also seemed to be very nice. He really took care of buddy guy. He was a cool cat. Timeless classic tunes
As a lifelong worshiper of Johnny Winter, my in depth indoctrination to Muddy came through the Grammy winning collaborations of Muddy and Johnny in the late 70s. With James Cotton, Pinetop Perkins, Bob Margolin, these guys updated and created some rich, timeless blues that I still listen to every chance I get. Johnny and Muddy loved each other, and I still love them both!
Up close, Great Southeast Music Hall, Atlanta. 1977. "Great" hall, for sure.
A chance to see Muddy was like going to heaven. I’d those moments a few times. Muddy was @ the very edge, only Sinatra matched him in my experience in terms of having the audience in the palm of his hand! The best show was at the Red Rail, Nanuet, NY 1975 or so. For the record the Red Rail was the greatest Road House EVER. So an early in the week night event with a packed house, 200+, hot summer evening. This is a 1 room place with a 2 foot stage, barely big enough to hold the band. 3 long sets later, Mud smiling all the while, every song finishing to a standing ovation while everyone danced the night away. Easily a Top 10 All Time Night for me…
Pj/ Oradell, NJ
Amazing. Thanks.
Muddy,Wolf,& BB are The Three Kings of the blues and are probably the 3 best musicians that ever lived!
I saw him 4 times and said hello to him once. He was THE MAN! The Rolling Stones and Clapton would not be still playing if it wasn't for McKinley Morganfield!
I saw and heard Muddy many times, took photos, etc.
Great read....again, Alan. You know, I know this is about Muddy, but I can't help but ask, why Johnny has never gotten his just dues by the mainstream R&R (read that HoF) world. I mean, he was the first cover of Guitar World and was unquestionably one the the best blues and slide guitarists of all time imho. Never saw Muddy, but I saw Johnny countless times, and he picked a lot like Muddy, with a thumb pick and fingers. He even produced 3 of Muddy's records in his heyday. Last time I saw him was on a co-bill with Gov't Mule in Bowling Green, Ky, and Warren and the Mule boys literally had to help get him get out to the stage where he sat down and just ripped it for the entire show on that Lazer guitar he favored in the later days (no head stock) . If Johnny Winter isn't a worthy HOF'er and the Black Eyed Peas are, there's something obviously broken with that place imo. Just saying.
Yeah. It's pretty meaningless. Now, it means a lot to the people in it, and especially to the less mainstream artists in blues, r&B etc. But I hate to ever cite it when I write about bands. I mean, Little Feat isn't in there and I think they have more of a claim than Johnny, just based on their catalog.
I am happy the place exists as a Museum and educates people about Bob Wills and Moby Grape and a million other crucial but not well known artists. As an actual HOF? Pretty silly.
Yep, and you're right, the Feat? I mean, get real! But, they're both in the HoF in our hearts and minds, and that's what counts to me. Probably the only band I've seen more than JW is Little Feat! Once I listened to Waiting For Columbus, I was a lifer. Two great shows coming up in Franklin, Tn in Oct, TTB and the Feat on the same bill. And that's right on the heels of Gov't Mule the week before in BG, Ky. Yee hah, I can't wait!
Yeah. And you can make an argument that JW isn’t rock, wasn’t mainstream enough, whatever. But Feat? It’s just a narrow taste band. But Jann is out and I do think it’s improved. zevon finally in
He was beyond amazing. What a presence. What a voice. Hello also seemed to be very nice. He really took care of buddy guy. He was a cool cat. Timeless classic tunes
Love these stories.