Texas blues icon Johnny Winter passed away yesterday (July 16th) in his hotel room in Zurich, Switzerland. He was 70 years old. According to a posting on his Facebook page: "His wife, family and bandmates are all saddened by the loss of their loved one and one of the world's finest guitarists. An official statement with more details shall be issued at the appropriate time."

Winter enjoyed a celebrated career that dated back to the '60s and influenced countless of guitarists with his trademark mix of heavy rock and the blues.

BraveWords spoke to Johnny Winter in March and asked him about his new album and future plans. He briefly remarked: "We're just going to keep doing the same stuff until I die!"

About his new studio album, Step Back, due September 2 via Megaforce Records, Winter told us: "It's a great album - really good guests."

And those guests include: Aerosmith's Joe Perry, ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons, Eric Clapton, Ben Harper, Dr. John, Leslie West, Brian Setzer and Joe Bonnamassa. “If there's good people, other good musicians, people enjoy it. I just love it," Winter says. "(Step Back) is just to bring it to the people of today who haven't listened to the old music. It's better than anything they hear today."

 

Step Back tracklisting and guests:

"Unchain My Heart" - Johnny Winter

"Can't Hold Out (Talk To Me Baby)" - Johnny Winter with Ben Harper

"Don't Want No Woman" - Johnny Winter with Eric Clapton

"Killing Floor" - Johnny Winter with Paul Nelson

"Who Do You Love" - Johnny Winter

"Okie Dokie Stomp" - Johnny Winter with Brian Setzer

"Where Can You Be" - Johnny Winter with Billy Gibbons

"Sweet Sixteen" - Johnny Winter with Joe Bonamassa

"Death Letter" - Johnny Winter

"My Babe" - Johnny Winter with Jason Ricci

"Long Tall Sally" - Johnny Winter with Leslie West

"Mojo Hand" - Johnny Winter with Joe Perry

"Blue Monday" - Johnny Winter with Dr. John

BraveWords' Sweden-based photographer Mats Andersson has graciously put together the following tribute photos below. R.I.P. Johnny!