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Johnny Winter was an American blues guitarist and singer, born on February 23, 1944, in Beaumont, Texas, and he passed away on July 16, 2014, in Zurich, Switzerland. Afflicted with albinism, he was legally blind, with limited eyesight, yet he forged an iconic career in music. Throughout his life, he struggled with alcoholism and drug use. Winter began his musical journey with the clarinet and ukulele, ultimately choosing the guitar by the age of eleven. A musical prodigy, he immersed himself in blues and rock 'n' roll while growing up in Beaumont. As a teenager, he frequently hitchhiked to Louisiana to perform in small nightclubs. After a brief time in college, he decided to dedicate himself fully to music. In 1969, Winter signed a five-year contract with Columbia Records worth $300,000, marking a significant milestone in his career. Prior to this, he had recorded one album (and two if 'First Winter' is considered an album) and many singles, both under his name and as a sideman. His work has been extensively repackaged and compiled. In 1988, he was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame. He was the older brother of another musician.

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