Johnny Winter obit

JOHNNY WINTER, the Texan blues guitarist and singer, died yesterday in a Zurich hotel room during a European tour. He was 70. Early in his career, Winter drew attention for his virtuosity, striking looks—he was albino with flowing white hair—and the unprecedented $600k advance he received from Columbia in 1968. Winter performed at Woodstock, scored a hit single in 1970 with "Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo" and produced three albums for his hero Muddy Waters, winning a Grammy for each. Johnny was the older brother of singer/keyboard player Edgar Winter, and he could play his ass off (see above). (7/17a)