"You know, I'm touring constantly, I'm not just some weekend warrior; I don't do long six month world tours anymore but I'm always ready to play," said a laughing Edgar Winter as he discussed his recent show with Eric Burdon & the Animals at the historic Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, NJ.
With over 20 albums and multiple collaborative efforts, as well as movie and television credits on his resume; Winter has touched generations of fans for more than five decades. The man who broke out with "Tobacco Road" and gave us classics such as"Frankenstein" and "Free Ride," who has worked with some of the music industries greatest names; shows no signs of slowing down and definitely not anytime soon. "You'll never hear Edgar Winter talking about a farewell tour," he stated emphatically . "Don't forget, I've been around since the inception of Rock 'N' Roll and it has been a great life. Heck, it's just fun and I am in it to the end and let me just say while we're here, I appreciate everyone who has followed me over my career and the years; I can't thank them enough."
Growing up in Beaumont, Texas, Edgar and his late brother Johnny were making music from a very young age and continued to do so right up until Johnny's recent passing. During his set, Edgar often performs songs which he and Johnny liked to play together or he will perform some of his favorite Johnny Winter selections; saving his favorites for the encore. "When we lost Johnny, it was unexpected and very difficult to accept," explained a suddenly somber Edgar. "Things were starting to go good again for Johnny, he was getting himself back in shape; we were planning on a tour together. I love to play songs of his or ours that we used to play together when we were kids and I try to play them towards the end of the set; the encore is usually things he loved like "Jumpin' Jack Flash" or our friend Rick Derringer's "Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo."
Winter's energy at this stage of his career is still a petal to the metal, all out assault on his audiences; almost defying them to sit still. Yet, before he hits the stage or on the tour bus or in a hotel room; Winter reaches within himself to center and relieve his few anxieties by engaging in various activities. "I like to meditate before I go on stage, it calms me and helps me focus on what's at hand but once the show is over; well let's just say we have lots of free time. We have time, especially on the road so I like to write poetry and short stories. Not too many people know that about me or should I say, expect that from me but I do. One day I'd love to publish them, I've got a title for them too; "Songs That Never Were," he proudly said with a laugh which by now was becoming more prevalent as he seemed to enjoy revealing this side of himself. "I find that writing poetry is very liberating as opposed to songwriting; I feel I can get more personal and I find it very inspirational."
Poetry, short stories and thoughts of a tongue in cheek shot at Broadway all tend to amuse and add to the man that is Edgar Winter. "I'm writing a book but I've also thought about writing a Broadway version of "Frankenstein." I've kicked around the idea of calling it "Frank and Stein," it would be total social satire; I think it would be fun to do. I've also thought about doing a symphonic version of "Frankenstein," you know, with an orchestra behind it like many bands have done; it's my favorite song to play. I'm always looking for new things and ways of doing things."
Some of those "New things" that he speaks of involve his set lists and how he approaches his audiences. "Music keeps us young," he stated matter of factually. "It is a great thing to see that fans of all ages come to my shows. This is why I don't always do things the same way; I like to switch things up and I'm always experimenting with sequence of songs to see the effects that playing certain songs at certain points have on the audiences. I love playing "Frankenstein" and I love playing "Free Ride," it has sentimental value to me; I always think of Dan Hartman who wrote it. My band keeps me going too, I love my band and I couldn't be happier or more lucky to have them with me. Doug Rappoport on guitar is phenomenal, KoKo Powell who played with Spencer Davis on bass and Jason Carpenter on drums; it's a lot of fun playing with them whenever we take the stage."
The recent Red Bank show was one of several which Winter is doing with Eric Burdon & the Animals and some other classic rockers have made appearances on this tour as well. Kansas, Robby Krieger and Cheap Trick have shared the bill and upcoming appearances include Todd Rundgren & The Zombies and a stop at Daryl's House come this fall. "I've done a number of shows lately with Eric and it's really fun to jam with him. I usually get to go up with them during "House of The Rising Sun" and "Spill The Wine" and gee, the Animals had so many hits that they're a lot of fun to watch too. I usually hang around after my set and watch the next band. I like to be on first, get the crowd going then hang out. The good thing about touring with the Animals is that there are no egos involved and I never mind going on first."
Currently, Winter and the band are on a few week hiatus before the tour re-boots in New England then to the upper mid-west, then out west and eventually returning to the Northeast with a show in New York and one back here in New Jersey at the Newton Theater
To find out more about Edgar Winter and the current tour, please go to www.edgarwinter.com.
That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!
Join us for McCarter at the Museum - renowned performing artists in one-night only events at the Princeton University Art Museum.
Jason Robert Brown is a four-time Tony Award-winning composer and lyricist of The Last Five Years, Parade, Songs for a New World, 13, The Bridges of Madison County, Honeymoon In Vegas and The Connector, has performed as a soloist or with his band in venues around the world, including sold-out shows at the London Palladium and Carnegie Hall. His albums as a singer-songwriter include Wearing Someone Else’s Clothes and How We React and How We Recover on Ghostlight, and Coming From Inside the House and Live In Concert with Stephen Sondheim on Concord.
With Special Guest Tony nominee Betsy Wolfe. Tony Award-nominated actress Betsy Wolfe is currently starring as Audrey in the acclaimed Off-Broadway production of Little Shop of Horrors, following her recent Broadway run as Madeline Ashton in the hit musical Death Becomes Her. She previously originated the title role in Joy, the new musical inspired by inventor Joy Mangano, and earned a 2023 Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her celebrated performance as Anne Hathaway in & Juliet. Other Broadway credits include starring as Jenna in Waitress, Cordelia in the acclaimed revival of Falsettos, Bullets Over Broadway, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Everyday Rapture, and 110 in the Shade, as well as her critically acclaimed performance as Cathy in the Off-Broadway revival of The Last Five Years. Wolfe made her Metropolitan Opera debut in Die Fledermaus and has appeared as a guest artist with more than 65 symphony, pops, and philharmonic orchestras worldwide, including the New York Philharmonic and BBC Symphony Orchestra, with performances at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. Her screen credits include First One In, Estella Scrooge, CBS’s Instinct, and the film adaptation of The Last Five Years. Wolfe is also the co-founder of BroadwayEvolved, the acclaimed musical theatre training program she launched in 2018 to train and mentor the next generation of theatre artists.
A limited number of early access tickets for McCarter Director’s Circle members and members of the Museum’s Partner Circle are available, on sale Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 12:00 PM. General public on sale begins Friday, September 18, 2026 at 12:00 PM.
Please be aware there is no public drop-off or parking at the Museum. For visitors with mobility needs, please contact the Museum at least three business days in advance of your visit to request special access to the Museum via Elm Drive. Call 609-258-3788 and select option 1 to speak to a visitor services staff member, or email Louise Barrett at [email protected].
