Surprisingly, American blues guitarist and vocalist Johnny winter, known for his virtuoso guitar solos and harsh voice, was found dead in a hotel room on the outskirts of Zurich, Swiss police said Thursday. He was 70 years old and along with his brother Edgar, a well-known blues musician, he was a devotee of the African-American blues tradition and began performing in his teens. The causes of his death are currently unknown.
Johnny, whose appearance was distinctive because he and his brother were both albinos, rose to fame in 1968, when Rolling Stone magazine called him the hottest musician outside of Janis Joplin. In 1969, he performed at the Newport Jazz Festival, where he performed with BB King, one of his musical idols, and at Woodstock. He also produced records for his idol, Muddy Waters, in the 70s. Among Winter's best-known songs was "Still Alive and Well," which he recorded after recovering from his heroin addiction in the 70s.
A new Winter album, featuring guests Eric Clapton and Ben Harper, will be released on September 2. A collection of his main themes from the 60s came out this year, filled with tributes from other artists who said it had been a key influence on their careers. In an interview with the New York Times earlier this year, Winter said she enjoyed touring and working with younger musicians.
“I think a lot about the legacy, I hope that in the end they will remember me as a good man of blues. That's all I want".
Winter was found dead overnight in a hotel room on the outskirts of Zurich, according to a police spokeswoman. The prosecutor has ordered an autopsy because the cause of death is not clear, although it is ruled out that third parties were involved. Early investigations pointed to a drug-related incident.
Via | EFE