David.

I'm sorry to hear that about Johnny. The few times I hung out with him...including riding around in my car, to score an ounce of hash at 2 AM, after one of his Boston-area gigs, he was on top of his game. Very nice, funny, down-to-earth person, actually. Some of his backup band had a helluva lot more shitty "attitude" than he did.

However, unfortunately, a frequent side-effect of albinism is eventual blindness...so I can't say I'm surprised. As for the parasites: yeah, they're always looking for "stars" to feed upon...and sometimes, when one is spiraling downward, they can be a superficial "comfort". I'm glad he's still capable of drawing groupies, actually! Good for him.

Considering his REAL health problems, I think it would be cruel for y'all to be too judgmental.

At least the poor guy is still touring...whether he really wants to or not (I can relate!) and, perhaps, you could take a kinder approach and note that he didn't play TOO badly...for a friggin' near-blind man! (There is something about a bunch of hobbyist musicians ragging on The Real Deal I find kind of offensive, actually! I wonder how well YOU would do, in his shoes!)

Compassion: try it! You'll like it!

Ian,
Only Compassionate When It's Deserved

Johnny was always one of my hero's. Still is, although all reports are that he but a shell of the player he was. He was one of the few players from the 60's that never strayed very far from his roots. He was absolutely on fire with the Johnny Winter And. I wish there were more live recording of him and Derringer together. I think they are probably the most overlooked guitar duo of that era.

Johhny was probably the first guy I ever saw weild a National. And unlike many who couldn't keep them in tune (Keith on the Gimme Shelter DVD?) he KNEW what to do with it. Although he hasn't done too many acoustic tracks over the years, they are great and essential recordings.

quote:

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Originally posted by AZLBRAX:

Considering his REAL health problems, I think it would be cruel for y'all to be too judgmental.

At least the poor guy is still touring...whether he really wants to or not (I can relate!) and, perhaps, you could take a kinder approach and note that he didn't play TOO badly...for a friggin' near-blind man! (There is something about a bunch of hobbyist musicians ragging on The Real Deal I find kind of offensive, actually! I wonder how well YOU would do, in his shoes!)

Compassion: try it! You'll like it!

Ian,
Only Compassionate When It's Deserved

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I'm with Azlbrax on this one. (Never thought I'd say that!) Thanks, Ian.

No need for presumptuous speculation on internet message boards as Johnny's recent health problems have been well documented in various music publications including several recent interviews.

AZL,
I don't think I was being judgemental regarding his health problems. You're right... he still plays 1000 times better then I ever will. His slide playing was still fine, which is why I was surprised that he only played one song on slide.

It was the shock of seeing him in that state (as the last time I saw him he wasn't in that condition) coupled with the cheese-ola backing band and the parasitic hangers-on that disturbed me. If it was just Johnny by himself on his Gibson Firebird and a National, it would have been bliss. Just thinking of those parasites gets me upset. There should be someone there to help him like he helped Muddy in Muddy's latter days. A shame.

Ditto on the health problems. Can barely see, had to sit down through the set, only played slide on the encore.

But the band was tight, if a tad generic. I thought the harp player was really good. Don't know about the entourage.

Seeing him this summer was like watching a fighter that had stayed in the ring for too many years .
It was reall sad, especially for a die-hard fan like me.

If I was in his position, maybe I would be the same.
I can't imaging how hard it is for any entertainer or sports figure for that matter ...to give it up or even to cut back when your skills are going. Playing in front of people has to be the ultimate high and rush.Especially at Johnnys level for all these years.

There are some very fortunate people who play great right up till the day they leave us.
I saw BB king a while back.
Diabetic... sat on a chair the whole show. But played better than I had ever heard him.
My friend Albert collins had cancer so bad the last year of his life, but his playing remained strong.
It has to be really hard when your whole life and identity is based on finger skill and co-ordination, and those skills start to erode. I can't imagine.

I believe that Johnny's sitting during performance began after he had hip surgery. Howoever, he seems to be suffering from other afflications of late.

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Originally posted by JohnyBB:
Just old and blind. Sounds right for the blues

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But perhaps it doesn't feel quite right for Winter.........

Steinar