Winger (band)

Last updated

Winger
Winger 2007.jpg
Winger in 2007.
L–R: John Roth, Kip Winger, Reb Beach.
Background information
OriginNew York City, U.S.
Genres
Years active
  • 1987–1994
  • 2001–2003
  • 2006–present
Labels
Members
Past membersCenk Eroglu
Website wingertheband.com

Winger is an American rock band formed in New York City in 1987. Winger gained popularity during the late 1980s and early 1990s with two platinum albums, Winger and In the Heart of the Young , along with charting singles "Seventeen", "Headed for a Heartbreak" and "Miles Away". In 1990, the band was nominated for an American Music Award for "Best New Heavy Metal Band". [4] As the music scene changed in the early to mid-1990s due to the popularity of grunge, their success faded following their third release, 1993's Pull . [1] Winger disbanded less than a year later in 1994.

Contents

In 2001, the band reunited and have since conducted several successful tours. In 2006, the band's 1993 touring lineup (minus Paul Taylor but including John Roth) reunited to record the band's first studio album in over 13 years, IV , and toured in support of the album into 2008. In 2009, the band released their fifth album, Karma , followed by Better Days Comin' in 2014. Their most recent album, Seven , came out in 2023.

History

1980: Early use of the name Winger

The first release under the name Winger was a Denver Rainbow Music Hall live recording of the song "Wizard of the Key" on the KAZY Thunder on the Mountain compilation in 1980. [5] The lineup featured brothers Kip, Nate, and Paul Winger and their friend Peter Fletcher (later a member of L.A.'s Pigmy Love Circus). Members Paul and Kip met while recording and touring for Alice Cooper. [6]

1987–1994: Main career and breakup

The band's debut album, Winger , was released on August 10, 1988, on Atlantic Records. [7] The record was a success, achieving platinum status in the United States, and gold status in Japan and Canada. On February 11, 1989, the album peaked at number 21 on the Billboard 200, [8] and was in various places on the chart for 63 weeks. [9] Radio and MTV hits from the album included "Madalaine", "Seventeen", "Headed for a Heartbreak" and "Hungry". [7] In 1990, the band was nominated for an American Music Award for "Best New Heavy Metal Band".

Shortly after that tour, Winger released its second album In the Heart of the Young , [7] which went 1-and-1/2 platinum in the U.S. and gold in Japan. Hit radio tracks and MTV videos included "Can't Get Enuff", "Miles Away" and "Easy Come Easy Go".

Winger followed the release of its second album with a 13-month world tour, playing over 230 dates with Kiss, Scorpions, ZZ Top, Extreme and Slaughter. Paul Taylor left the band after the tour, citing exhaustion after years of touring. [10] Their third studio album, Pull , produced by Mike Shipley, was recorded in 1992/1993 as a three-piece band. [7] It was originally to be called Blind Revolution Mad, after the opening song. Reportedly Kip Winger, anticipating that critics would dismiss the album out of hand, renamed it Pull as a tongue-in-cheek reference to the CD being used by critics as a skeet shooting target. The album was not as successful as the previous albums saleswise, but gained solid reviews. On the following tour, John Roth was called in to replace Paul Taylor on rhythm guitar. [7] The album coincided with the rise of grunge, which swept aside the brand of melodic pop-metal that Winger represented. [7]

In the 1990s, Winger was subject to mockery from MTV's animated series Beavis and Butt-Head . [11] Series creator Mike Judge later revealed that he had been incorrectly informed that Kip Winger had asked the network not to make jokes about the band on the series, which led to further jokes about the band, but later learned from Winger himself that he had never made any such stipulation. [12] Stewart, an early character from the TV show, wore a Winger t-shirt during the show's original run on MTV during the 1990s as well both of its revivals in 2011 and 2022. Characterized as a wimp who looked up to Beavis and Butt-head, he wore the t-shirt in an attempt to emulate the duo, whose t-shirts had the logos of AC/DC and Metallica.

After disbanding in 1994, bassist/lead vocalist Kip Winger went on to a solo career, while guitarist Reb Beach went on to touring projects with artists Dokken and Alice Cooper, and has held a permanent guitar spot in Whitesnake since 2002. The band's other members pursued or resumed careers as session musicians.

2000–2019: Reunion

Winger performing in 2006 Winger @ Nosturi 7.jpg
Winger performing in 2006

In 2001, it was announced that all original members of the band would return to the studio to record the song "On the Inside" for The Very Best of Winger . In 2002, all five members embarked on a reunion tour of the U.S. and Canada on a bill with Poison. According to Kip Winger, in a 2008 interview with rock and roll comic C.C. Banana, it was important to include all five members because "it was the big, long-awaited reunion so I wanted to include everybody who had ever been in the band." [13] In 2003, it was confirmed that activity had been halted due to Reb Beach's touring commitment with Whitesnake as well as his solo album "Masquerade" and involvement with The Mob.

On July 16, 2005, it was announced that Kip Winger would perform as the lead singer for the Alan Parsons Live Project at the Common Ground Music Festival in Lansing, Michigan. [14] [15] In May 2006, it was confirmed that Winger had reformed without one of its original members Paul Taylor, to record another album and tour Europe. The album, IV, was released in Europe in October and the nine-country "Winger IV Tour" ran in the last two weeks of the same month.

On February 25, 2008, the band performed in Providence, Rhode Island, as part of a benefit for survivors of the Station nightclub fire. The concert, along with other artists was debuted on VH1 Classic on March 23, 2008. In late 2009, it was confirmed that Winger would record a fifth album Karma , with a tour to support it.

Winger released their sixth studio album titled, Better Days Comin' in April 2014, after teasers were published on Kip Winger's website and on the official Winger Facebook page as well.

2020–present

As of 2023, Winger continues to tour theaters and clubs across the United States. According to a 2021 interview with guitarist Reb Beach, Winger's seventh album was in the recording process. [16] [17] On March 10, 2023, they announced a new album, Seven , releasing on May 5, and released a new single from the album, "Proud Desperado". [18]

Style and influences

Kip Winger, in description of the band's musical ability and style, said, "Our band was known to musicians, and a lot of musicians showed up to see me play — watching, trying to figure out how I'm playing. We were like the 'hair band' [version of] Dream Theater." [11]

Members

Timeline

Winger (band)

Discography

Studio albums

Notes

  1. ↑ Howie Simon has filled-in for Roth live sporadically since 2022.
  2. ↑ Though he was an official band member from 2006 until 2009 and appeared on the 2006 album IV, Eroglu was absent for most live shows during 2007.
  3. ↑ Donnie Wayne Smith filled-in for Roth live sporadically between 2014 and 2019.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whitesnake</span> British hard rock band

Whitesnake are an English hard rock band formed in London in 1978. The group was originally put together as the backing band for singer David Coverdale, who had recently left Deep Purple. Though the band quickly developed into their own entity, Coverdale is the only constant member throughout their history.

Glam metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that features pop-influenced hooks and guitar riffs, upbeat rock anthems, and slow power ballads. It borrows heavily from the fashion and image of 1970s glam rock.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Coverdale</span> English rock musician

David Coverdale is an English singer and songwriter best known as the founder and lead singer of hard rock band Whitesnake. He was also the lead singer of Deep Purple from 1973 to 1976, after which he released two solo studio albums White Snake and Northwinds before forming Whitesnake in 1978.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kip Winger</span> American rock musician

Charles Frederick Kip Winger is an American singer and bass guitarist, active as a member of the rock band Winger, an orchestral composer, and a solo artist. He initially gained notability as a member of Alice Cooper's band, contributing bass to his Constrictor (1986) and Raise Your Fist and Yell (1987) albums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Sykes</span> British guitarist

John James Sykes is an English guitarist, best known as a member of Whitesnake, Thin Lizzy and Tygers of Pan Tang. He has also fronted the hard rock group Blue Murder and released several solo albums.

<i>In the Heart of the Young</i> 1990 studio album by Winger

In the Heart of the Young is the second studio album by the American rock band Winger. It was released by Atlantic Records in 1990. Beau Hill produced the album. Although coming out at the decline of the glam metal scene in the U.S., the release was a commercial success, prompting additional touring by the group. It was the last album with guitarist/keyboardist Paul Taylor until 2023's Seven.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reb Beach</span> American guitarist (born 1963)

Richard Earl "Reb" Beach Jr. is an American rock guitarist. He is a member of the bands Winger and Whitesnake.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andy Timmons</span> American guitarist (born 1963)

Andy Timmons is an American guitarist who has played in the bands Taylor Bay Band, Danger Danger, Pawn Kings, and Andy Timmons Band (ATB). He has also released several solo albums and has worked as a session guitarist.

<i>Pull</i> (Winger album) 1993 studio album by Winger

Pull is the third studio album by American rock band Winger. The album was released in 1993 by Atlantic Records.

<i>The Very Best of Winger</i> 2001 greatest hits album by Winger

The Very Best of Winger is a compilation album of material from the American rock band Winger, released by the label Atlantic Records and the company Rhino Entertainment in October 2001.

<i>IV</i> (Winger album) 2006 studio album by Winger

IV is the fourth studio album by American rock band Winger, and the first after their 1993 album Pull.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seventeen (Winger song)</span> 1989 single by Winger

"Seventeen" is a single by American rock band Winger from their debut album Winger. Released in 1989, the song charted at No. 26 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was named the 87th best hard rock song of all time by VH1.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Can't Get Enuff</span> 1990 single by Winger

"Can't Get Enuff" is a single by American rock band Winger from their 1990 album In the Heart of the Young.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Easy Come Easy Go (Winger song)</span> 1990 single by Winger

"Easy Come Easy Go" is a song by American rock band Winger from their second studio album, In the Heart of the Young. Released in 1990, the single charted at number 41. According to frontman Kip Winger, the song was a late addition to the track listing, written because it was felt that there were not enough rock songs on the album. "Can't Get Enuff" came about the same way.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timothy Drury</span> American musician

Timothy Drury is an American composer, keyboardist, guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter. His breakthrough came in 1989 when Don Henley invited him to join The End of the Innocence tour as his pianist, keyboardist and backup vocalist. A few years later, he was back on tour playing keyboard, guitar and singing backup vocals with the Eagles for their "Hell Freezes Over" reunion, a tour that lasted from 1994 to 2000. He toured for seven years with the rock band Whitesnake, and with a friendly departure in September 2010, he left the band to pursue a solo career. As a composer, lyricist and songwriter, Drury has several co-writes to his credit, including music with guitarist Don Felder, formerly with the Eagles, songs with Henley and Scott F. Crago, and with Stevie Nicks and Crago. His father is the late James Drury, best known for his starring role in the TV series, The Virginian.

Paul Taylor, formerly credited as Paul Horowitz, is an American musician, who is best known as the keyboardist/guitarist for the hard rock band Winger. Although he is perhaps most frequently associated with Winger, Taylor has also played with numerous other prominent musicians, including future Sammy Hagar and Boston guitarist Gary Pihl, Eric Martin, Aldo Nova, Steve Perry of Journey, Alice Cooper and Tommy Shaw.

<i>Karma</i> (Winger album) 2009 studio album by Winger

Karma is the fifth studio album by American rock band Winger. It was released on October 16, 2009, in Europe and October 27, 2009, in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Roth (musician)</span> American guitarist (born 1967)

John Roth is an American guitarist, best known for his work with the rock bands Winger, Black Oak Arkansas, and Giant. He has been touring and recording with national acts since the mid-1980s.

<i>Better Days Comin</i> 2014 studio album by Winger

Better Days Comin' is the sixth studio album by American rock band Winger. It was released on April 23, 2014, debuting at #21 on the Top Current Rock Albums Chart and #85 on the Billboard 200.

<i>Seven</i> (Winger album) 2023 studio album by Winger

Seven is the seventh studio album by American rock band Winger. It marks the return of guitarist/keyboardist Paul Taylor to the band since 1990's In the Heart of the Young. The album was preceded by the lead single "Proud Desperado". The band will tour the UK in May and the US in June 2023 in support of the album.

References

  1. 1 2 Stephen Thomas Erlewine. "Winger - Biography". AllMusic . Retrieved December 22, 2009.
  2. ↑ "'I Never Expected Any of It': Kip Winger on His Classical Grammy Nomination". Billboard .
  3. ↑ Huey, Steve. "Winger - Winger review". AllMusic . Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Winger Is Coming With The 'Karma', Samples Online". Sleaze Roxx. September 8, 2009. Archived from the original on March 29, 2012. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
  5. ↑ "KAZY: Thunder on the Mountain LP 1980". TheCorroseum.org. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  6. ↑ BraveWords. "WINGER Keyboardist / Guitarist PAUL TAYLOR Talks Early Version Of In The Heart Of The Young Album - "The Label Heard It And Were Like 'What's This?'"". bravewords.com. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Colin Larkin, ed. (1995). The Guinness Who's Who of Heavy Metal (Second ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 390. ISBN   0-85112-656-1.
  8. ↑ "Winger Album & Song Chart History". Billboard.com. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
  9. ↑ "Winger Album & Song Chart History". Billboard.com. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
  10. ↑ "Paul Taylor: 1990s". paultaylormusic.com. Archived from the original on February 23, 2008. Retrieved August 4, 2008.
  11. 1 2 "Kip Winger Interview at Heavy Metal and Power Metal Portal". Archived from the original on February 12, 2006.
  12. ↑ Gallo, Phil (August 1, 2011). "'Beavis and Butt-head' to Return With Fewer Music Videos Due to Licensing Constraints". Billboard.biz. Retrieved December 9, 2012.
  13. ↑ "Metal Sludge Rewind with Kip Winger". Ccbanana.com. Archived from the original on January 1, 2009. Retrieved January 1, 2009.
  14. ↑ "Alan Parsons official website". Alanparsonsmusic.com. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
  15. ↑ "Common Ground Music Festival | Lansing, MI". Commongroundfest.com. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
  16. ↑ "Reb Beach (Whitesnake, Winger, Black Swan, guitarist) Interview – PariahRocks.com". The Hard, Heavy & Hair Show - PariahRocks.com. April 17, 2021. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  17. ↑ "Those who know me well know how much I LOVE Winger. This repost just made my entire day! Thank you so, so much for the shout out guys… Can't wait to hear the new album!!!😍😍💗 @wingertheband @kipwinger #jazzcover #downincognito #kipwinger #winger #hairband #smoothjazz #jazzvocals #voiceactorswhosing". instagram.com. Kari Wahlgren.
  18. ↑ "WINGER to Release 'Seven' Album in May; 'Proud Desperado' Music Video Now Available". March 10, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.