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Impressed by his honesty, affinity for storytelling, philosophical approach to life and self-effacing sense of humour, I set up another interview for a Johnny Winter special on my WCCC radio show in Hartford so I could meet him in his tour bus after the show. When I first interviewed Johnny by phone in 1984, he had just released Guitar Slinger on Alligator Records and celebrated his 40th birthday by getting the Screamin’ Demon tattoo on his chest. I had to pick him up off the floor and out of the place − it was hilarious.” That was pretty much the end of the song. He leaned back to hit this note and the stool fell backwards, he fell into the drums and knocked them over on top of the drummer. He had his top hat on and his fringed jacket. I’ll sit on a stool and sing and you play guitar.’ So we got up and he sat on a stool. You’re too drunk, you can’t stand up, don’t do it.’ He said, ‘Come on, Pat, just one song. “We’re in there five minutes, and the band says, ‘We see Johnny Winter, let’s get him up to play a song!’ Johnny stands up, ‘Yeah!’ I pull him back in the chair and say, ‘Johnny, no. I’m too drunk − I can’t stand up,’” Rush recalls.

“We sat at a table at The Ivanhoe and Johnny leaned over and said, ‘Pat, promise me that you won’t let me get me get up and play.

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