He looked like a ghost, played like the devil and lived like a rock star.
And he was the loudest guitarist I’ve ever heard in person (I’ve been to 400+ concerts).
Trailer for “Johnny Winter: Down and Dirty”
Watch “Johnny Winter: Down and Dirty”
I see a couple of places to watch it for free on YouTube.
Here’s one:
Here’s another:
It looks like you can rent it for $ on Amazon and Apple — check here for the latest streaming options: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/johnny-winter-down-and-dirty (though you won’t see the free YouTube options there).
Ratings:
- My Rating: 92/100
- IMDB Rating: 8.3/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: /100 (Users); /100 (Critics) (it’s a sin that no Rotten Tomatoes users or critics review this great doc — Johnny is a legend!)
Release Date: March 12, 2024
My Review of “Johnny Winter: Down and Dirty”
“Johnny Winter: Down and Dirty” is a 90-minute documentary directed by Greg Olliver (also known for “Lemmy” (Motorhead’s frontman) and “Turned Towards the Sun” (WWII)).
The film takes an up-close look at blues-rock legend Johnny Winter, chronicling his highs, lows, and everything in between.
His career spans over five decades.
Winter was a Texas-born guitar prodigy whose blistering solos and albino appearance made him one of the most distinctive figures in blues history.
Olliver follows Winter in his later years, capturing him on tour, in interviews, and reflecting on his past—the fame, the music, the heroin addiction, and the eventual attempt at redemption.
This isn’t a polished legacy piece; it’s raw, intimate, and, at times, heartbreaking.
You Can’t Make This Sh*t Up
- Johnny was so obsessed with the TV show “All in the Family” that he once said, “If it was on when I had to play, I wouldn’t play till it was over.”
- Johnny openly admitted to being hooked on heroin but always knew it would kill him. He believed only Ray Charles and Dr. John truly knew how to survive it.
- One night, Johnny was playing a club when someone tapped his bass player on the shoulder and asked to sit in. That person? Jimi Hendrix.
- Johnny was on methadone for over 20 years. In the ‘90s, he was sleeping 14 hours a day.
- His manager slowly weaned him off methadone by shaving his pills down bit by bit—without Johnny knowing. For two years, Johnny took what he thought was his regular dose, but by the end, it was just an empty pill. When they finally told him, he was stunned: he was off methadone.
- In Tokyo, Johnny—one of the greatest blues guitarists ever—decided to sing karaoke. His song of choice? “Georgia on My Mind” by Ray Charles.
More Highlights from the Doc
- Woodstock & Beyond – The doc covers Johnny’s legendary performance at Woodstock in 1969, where he shredded the stage just as the sun was rising. His wild white hair and fiery playing made him a standout.
- Producing Muddy Waters – Johnny idolized Muddy Waters and eventually got to produce three of his albums, including the Grammy-winning “Hard Again.”
- The Rolling Stones Connection – Keith Richards was a massive fan and even played with Johnny. Winter was once rumored to be a replacement for Mick Taylor in The Rolling Stones.
- Decline & Revival – After years of drug abuse and declining health, Johnny was almost a ghost of himself in the ‘90s. But with the help of his manager and friends, he slowly made a comeback.
Lesser-Known Details from the Doc
- Despite his blues-rock persona, Johnny was soft-spoken and had a gentle personality—unless he was holding a guitar.
- His hands were so uniquely shaped (long, thin fingers) that they became a part of his legendary playing style.
- He never fully recovered from his addictions, but he found ways to keep playing until the very end.
- Johnny’s personal philosophy on life? “I wouldn’t take anything back… except the heroin.”
Wrap Up
“Johnny Winter: Down and Dirty”is a portrait of an artist who lived through rock ‘n’ roll excess, suffered its consequences, and kept playing anyway.
Thanks for reading!
Rob Kelly, Chief Maniac, Daily Doc