Edgar Winter

Edgar Holland Winter (born December 28, 1946 in Beaumont, Texas) is an American musician, songwriter, and record producer. He is known for being a multi-instrumentalist — keyboardist, guitarist, saxophonist and percussionist — as well as a singer. His success peaked in the 1970s with his band, The Edgar Winter Group, and their popular songs “Frankenstein” and “Free Ride”.

Winter’s music encompasses many different genres, including rock, jazz, blues, and pop. From his critically acclaimed 1970 debut release, Entrance, he has demonstrated his unique style and ability to cross the genre lines and do the unexpected. His early recording of “Tobacco Road” propelled him into the national spotlight. Edgar followed Entrance with two hit albums backed by his group White Trash, a group originally composed of musicians from Texas and Louisiana. White Trash, with Winter and Jerry Lacroix both on lead vocals and sax, enjoyed huge success, with the 1971 release of the studio album Edgar Winter’s White Trash, and with 1972’s follow-up live gold album (partially recorded at New York’s Apollo Theater) Roadwork.

In late 1972, Winter brought together Dan Hartman, Ronnie Montrose and Chuck Ruff to form The Edgar Winter Group, who created such hits as the number one “Frankenstein” and “Free Ride” (with lead vocals by its writer Hartman). Released in November 1972, They Only Come Out at Night peaked at the number 3 position on the Billboard Hot 200 and stayed on the charts for 80 weeks. It was certified gold in April 1973 by the RIAA, and double platinum in November 1986.

Winter invented the keyboard body strap early in his career, an innovation that allows him the freedom to move around on stage during his multi-instrument high-energy performances.

After “They Only Come Out at Night”, Winter released “Shock Treatment”, featuring guitarist Rick Derringer in place of Ronnie Montrose. That album contained Winter’s third and final Top 40 single “River’s Risin'”, again sung by Hartman. Later albums included “Jasmine Nightdreams”, “The Edgar Winter Group with Rick Derringer”, “Together Live with Johnny Winter”, “Recycled”, a reunion with White Trash, “Standing on Rock”, “Mission Earth”, “Live in Japan”, “Not a Kid Anymore”, “The Real Deal”, “Winter Blues” and “Rebel Road”.

Winter also kept busy doing session work, playing sax on Meat Loaf’s “All Revved Up With No Place to Go”, Dan Hartman’s solo hit “Instant Replay”, Tina Turner’s “Simply the Best” and David Lee Roth’s remake of “Just A Gigolo”, as well as appearing on material by Rick Derringer, Johnny Winter, Ronnie Montrose, Todd Rundgren, Michael McDonald and many others.

Major national television and radio campaigns have used Winter’s music to advertise their products. Winter has also made frequent television appearances, both to promote his music, and to give his opinions on everything from Politically Incorrect to a commercial with George Hamilton for Miller Lite beer. He has appeared in the film Netherworld, and the TV shows The Cape, Mysterious Ways, David Letterman, and Jimmy Kimmel Live!.

Winter’s music has been used in many film and television projects, including Netherworld, Air America, Dazed and Confused, My Cousin Vinny, Encino Man, Son in Law, What’s Love Got to do With It, Wayne’s World 2, Starkid, Wag the Dog, Knockabout Guys, Duets, Radio, The Simpsons, Queer as Folk, and Tupac Resurrection.