Still a close friend, Johnny was staying at his house in Chicago when Dennis’s first son was born. In 1963, Johnny joined Dennis in Chicago, where he played with Dennis's band The Gents for four months before returning to Texas. A member of Johnny and the Jammers, Dennis played on several of Johnny's early singles, including "School Day Blues"/"You Know I Love You," his 1959 debut single on Dart Records. Dennis is Johnny's childhood friend, and the son of Seymour Drugan, a jazz musician who taught Johnny jazz chords during three months of lessons in 1958. I interviewed bassist Dennis Drugan from his home outside of Chicago. He talked about the afternoon a drunken Janis Joplin showed up at Johnny's hotel room, the casual and naïve way band members regarded Johnny's heroin use during that time frame, and the abrupt manner in which Johnny Winter And was dissolved. Bobby explained the dynamics between Johnny and then manager Steve Paul, tour manager Teddy Slatus, as well as Rick Derringer and bassist Randy Hobbs. He shared his memories of playing the Royal Albert Hall on Johnny's 27th birthday, the gig at the Boston Tea Party where they learned of Hendrix's death, and later huddled in a hotel room to write "21st Century Man" in honor of their fallen friend. Extremely forthcoming and candid, Bobby regaled me with tales of that band including the wild gigs that led to the recording of Johnny Winter And Live, Johnny's only gold album. The dynamic drummer that powered Johnny Winter And, Bobby was only 19 years old when he joined Johnny's band. I conducted several lengthy interviews with drummer Bobby Caldwell from his home in Florida. He also shares Johnny's irreverent greeting whenever he saw the then 19-year-old guitarist who became and remains a good friend. He talks about the funky private plane that almost ended their lives, and a wild array of shows from the Saints and Sinners tour, including the ones recorded for the King Biscuit Flower Hour. He shared his insights on how Johnny felt about any guitar player who tried to upstage him, and how his wild guitar playing on stage got him fired time and time again. Doug moved into the band's communal house in fall 1973 and played with Johnny through the end of the Saints and Sinners tour in June 1974.ĭoug was dividing his time between the East and West Coast when I interviewed him. He played "I Love Everybody" from Second Winter and immediately got the job. The following year, Doug was thrilled to be one of the eight guitarists auditioning for the slot of Johnny's second guitarist. Doug was playing in Cobalt when Johnny spotted drummer Richard Hughes, who he hired in 1972. At 16, he formed a Johnny Winter cover band called Cobalt. When guitar player Doug Brockie was 15 and 16, Johnny was his Robert Johnson.
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