Rock & Roll

The Zoo Crew is spinning the electrifying "Rock & Roll" from Johnny Winter's 1973 album Still Alive and Well, a track that’s pure Texas boogie-blues fire for all the Zoo Freaks out there. This song, one of Winter’s originals, showcases his scorching slide guitar and gruff vocals, delivering a high-energy romp that feels like a love letter to the genre. According to reviews from the era, like one from That Devil Music, the track stands out for its Z.Z. Top-style swagger, with Winter’s fretwork electrifying the airwaves. It’s a lean, mean blues-rock machine, clocking in at just the right length to keep the vibe tight and explosive. Winter himself didn’t hype his own work much in interviews, but he once told Classic Rock Music Reporter in 2012 that he “loved every minute” of making music like this, reflecting his passion for the raw energy “Rock & Roll” exudes.

Another tidbit about “Rock & Roll” is its place in the context of Winter’s comeback. After battling heroin addiction and a three-year hiatus, Still Alive and Well was his defiant return, and this track embodies that resilience. As noted on Rate Your Music, the album carries a strong anti-drug message, and “Rock & Roll” feels like Winter proving he could still burn up the stage sober. The song’s production, helmed by Rick Derringer, who also contributed guitar to the album, gave it a polished yet gritty edge. Derringer’s influence is clear in the song’s tight structure, a departure from Winter’s earlier extended jams, as mentioned in a AllMusic review. For Zoo Freaks, this track is a reminder of Winter’s ability to channel personal triumph into blistering blues-rock that still resonates.

Johnny Winter’s journey to becoming a blues-rock legend began in Beaumont, Texas, where he was born on February 23, 1944. Born with albinism, alongside his younger brother Edgar, Winter was steeped in music from a young age, thanks to parents who encouraged his pursuits. As detailed on his official site, johnnywinter.com, he was picking up the guitar and soaking up influences from local radio, especially 1950s rock ‘n’ roll spun by DJ J.P. Richardson (The Big Bopper). By his teens, Winter was gigging in local bands, cutting singles for small Texas labels like Dart and KRCO as early as 1959. His raw talent caught attention, but it was a 1968 Rolling Stone article, calling him a “130lb cross-eyed albino with long fleecy hair” playing “gutsiest fluid blues guitar,” that sparked a bidding war. Columbia Records signed him for a then-record-breaking $600,000, launching his debut album Johnny Winter in 1969, per Wikipedia.

Winter’s early years were defined by his trio with bassist Tommy Shannon (later of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Double Trouble) and drummer Uncle John Turner. Their 1968 album The Progressive Blues Experiment was a raw, straight blues affair that set the stage for his explosive Columbia debut. As noted on johnnywinter.com, Winter’s blend of Robert Johnson-style country blues and electric slide guitar made him a bridge between British blues-rock and American Southern rock. His high-energy performances, like his 1969 Woodstock set, cemented his reputation as a guitar hero. Despite struggles with addiction in the early ‘70s, Winter’s comeback with Still Alive and Well showed his unrelenting drive, a trait that carried him through decades of touring and recording until his death in 2014.

For Zoo Freaks wanting to dive deeper, Johnny Winter’s legacy lives on through his official website, where you can find his discography and biography. His Facebook page keeps the flame alive with posts about his music and tributes, while the Johnny Winter Fans Facebook group is a vibrant spot for fans to share stories and rare photos. On Instagram, you’ll find vintage shots and updates, though Winter himself wasn’t active on social media before his passing. His X account shares occasional posts about his albums and influence. For fan-driven content, check out johnnywinter.net, a site packed with news and merch, or Johnny Winter’s Sanctuary for vinyl collectors. These spaces keep the spirit of Winter’s blues-rock alive for all the Zoo Freaks out there.