Scene and Heard

The definitive Johnny Winter documentary is finally in production! Filmmaker Greg Olliver, whose credits include co-directing and producing the critically acclaimed documentary ‘Lemmy’, will be shadowing the storied bluesman worldwide throughout 2012, with a theatrical release planned for 2013.

“Still one of the world’s premiere electric guitarists” (New Yorker), Johnny Winter continues to perform over 120 shows / year worldwide and was recently a guest on Letterman, profiled on NPR, and named one of Rolling Stone’s Top 100 Guitarists of All Time.  On his latest album ‘Roots’ (Megaforce), a tribute to his blues heroes, Winter “shows yet again that wailing the blues effectively demands sizzling focus and a wagonload of knowledge” (Wall Street Journal).

“I grew up in Texas listening to the blues, so making a film with Johnny is a dream come true for me,” says Olliver.  “And since there aren’t many blues icons left out there, I feel very honored to be working with him.  His is a story that needs to be told!”

A torchbearer for the blues, Johnny revived the careers of Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker by producing their Grammy-winning comeback albums.  His friend John Lennon wrote “Rock and Roll People” in his honor, and he’s performed at Woodstock and in bands with Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin.   Johnny’s record deal with Columbia Records in the late 60s is considered the largest of its time.

Greg Olliver’s film ‘Lemmy’ has earned Gold status in the United States, UK and Germany, and aired on VH1 and in theaters across the US.

The Johnny Winter documentary will be filmed throughout 2012 and produced by Olliver’s company, Secret Weapon Films, with a completion goal and theatrical release planned for 2013.