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Last update: 00-00-99 |
In Tribute to Kurt Winter
******************Guitarist for the Guess Who*********************
___________________aPRIL 2, 1947 - dECEMBER 14, 1997____________
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A site dedicated to Kurt (Frank) Winter, songwriter and guitarist. Herein you will find a bio, discography, music tabs, wavs, midis, images, and links to all available info on the "Walrus" currently available on the WWW. |
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As Kurt probably best represented the free-wheeling, fun-loving, rock and roll spirit of the Guess Who, this site will strive to support that spirit in content and style. All fans, friends, and others interested in the Great One are hereby Welcome! |
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Kurt winter at long Beach, Ca., 1973
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When Burton Cummings, Gary Peterson, and Jim Kale kicked Randy Bachman out of the Guess Who at the peak of their popularity (following their #1 "American Woman" single), the band was at a turning point. Without half of their writing and all of their guitar work, a decision to go forward meant finding a suitable replacement - a guitarist and writer of considerable talent. This they found in two young veterans of the Winnipeg music scene - Greg Leskiw and Kurt "the Walrus" Winter. Greg had come from a group called "Wild Rice", and Kurt left behind "Brother". Both were writers and guitarists, and Greg was a vocalist as well. However, Greg's talents aside, Kurt was to emerge as a powerful voice in the songcrafting and sound of the group as a whole for the next 7 albums. In fact, it's arguable that Kurt possibly "saved" the Guess Who by providing some of the powerhouse hits on "Share The Land" to not only sustain their success but to propel their craft and sound upward and onward (Burton Cummings' talents notwithstanding). |
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But beyond whatever credit may or may not be due him, one common conclusion is echoed by all: He was a great guitarist. When he first joined the group, his wardrobe consisted of a sweatshirt and striped pants(seen here), and not much else. He wasn't a snappy dresser like Gary. He didn't engage in on-stage grandstanding like Burt. He just concentrated on his sound, often studiously observing his own chubby fingers on the fretboard. On the Share the Land tour, I barely noticed him, as he was almost behind the equipment, or facing it rather than the audience. Just more concerned about the sound than the celebrity. I'm glad he was. That concert was what really got to me - this outfit could put on a live show and recreate the studio sound in a live experience. |
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If you were lucky enough to have seen the Guess Who back when Kurt was in attendance, you probably haven't forgotten it. He was able to produce some remarkable guitar work that not only reproduced choice licks from the studio albums, but added live enhancements which made the performance all the more special. I was fortunate enough to see him play with the band on 4 different occasions; from those events I was able to save some concert photos, one really awful-sounding bootlegged tape, and lots of great memories. |
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Although Kurt may be gone in body, his music still lives on in spirit over the airwaves and in our collective souls. Feel free to check out my concert photo collection, sounds, memorabilia, etc., on the other pages; if it has to do with Kurt I'll probably have something about it. Concert Photos................................ Notes on his passing Concert sound bites.................................... Album photos Lyrics ...........................................................Kurt's Guitars Guitar Tablature ........................................ Discography Midi's..................................................... A Remembrance Guess Who Links............................................ GuestBook Garnet Logo.................................................. Group Shots |
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E-Mail me at [email protected] |
For more information on the Guess Who, check out my GUESS WHO CLEARINGHOUSE page - just about everything and anything on the 'net having to do with the Guess Who - past, present and future ! |
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