Album Information:
Album ID: 10077
About The Edgar Winter Group:
The Edgar Winter Group is a rock band formed in 1972 by multi-instrumentalist Edgar Winter. Originally from Beaumont, Texas, Winter was born on December 28, 1946, and grew up playing a variety of instruments, including piano, guitar, saxophone, and drums.
Winter began his musical career in the mid-1960s, performing in various bands and as a session musician. In 1970, he released his first album, Entrance, which was a mix of rock, blues, and jazz. The album was critically acclaimed and helped establish Winter as a rising young talent.
After touring extensively in the early 1970s, Winter formed The Edgar Winter Group in 1972. The band's first album, They Only Come Out at Night, was released later that year and featured the hit single 'Frankenstein,' which reached No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 charts. The album also featured the hit songs 'Free Ride' and 'Undercover Man.'
Over the next few years, The Edgar Winter Group released a string of successful albums, including Shock Treatment (1974), Jasmine Nightdreams (1975), and Together: Edgar Winter and Johnny Winter Live (1976), which was a collaboration with his brother, blues-rock guitarist Johnny Winter.
In addition to his work with The Edgar Winter Group, Winter also collaborated with other notable musicians, including Rick Derringer, Ronnie Montrose, and David Bowie. He also continued to release solo albums throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
Winter's music is known for its eclectic blend of rock, blues, jazz, and pop, and his distinctive keyboard and saxophone playing. His live performances were also renowned for their energetic and theatrical nature, with Winter frequently wearing flamboyant costumes and incorporating pyrotechnics and other special effects into his shows.
Today, The Edgar Winter Group continues to be an influential and beloved rock band, with a legacy that spans over four decades. Their music has been featured in numerous movies and TV shows, and 'Frankenstein' and 'Free Ride' remain classic rock radio staples.
About the album They Only Come Out At Night:
'They Only Come Out At Night' is a classic rock album by The Edgar Winter Group, released in 1972. The album is named after the song of the same name, which is the album's opening track. The album consists of nine tracks, with a mix of rock, pop, and blues genres. The album's cover features a creepy illustration of a wolf howling at the moon, which sets the tone for the album's eerie and haunting themes.
The album's standout track is undoubtedly 'Frankenstein,' which features a catchy synthesizer riff and a powerful guitar solo. The song became a hit and has been a staple on classic rock radio for decades. Another popular track on the album is 'Free Ride,' which features a catchy melody and upbeat rhythm. The song is still a favorite amongst fans and has been used in numerous movies and TV shows.
Other notable tracks on the album include 'Undercover Man,' which features a bluesy guitar solo, and 'Alta Mira,' which has a Latin-inspired sound. The album ends with the instrumental track 'Rock 'n' Roll Boogie Woogie Blues,' which features a piano solo by Edgar Winter.
Overall, 'They Only Come Out At Night' is a classic rock album that showcases the talent and versatility of The Edgar Winter Group. The album's mix of rock, pop, and blues, paired with Edgar Winter's keyboard and saxophone skills, make it a must-listen for any classic rock fan.
Members:
The Edgar Winter Group was a rock band that was formed in 1972 by singer/songwriter Edgar Winter. The band went through several lineup changes during its existence. Here are the key members of the band and their biographies:
1. Edgar Winter - Born on December 28, 1946, in Beaumont, Texas, Edgar is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter. He started playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the saxophone, keyboard, and drums. He is best known for his hit single 'Frankenstein,' which was released in 1973. Winter has released over 20 albums throughout his career and has collaborated with many notable musicians.
2. Ronnie Montrose - Born on November 29, 1947, in Denver, Colorado, Ronnie was a guitarist and songwriter. He started playing the guitar at the age of 10 and formed his first band, Montrose, in 1973. He joined the Edgar Winter Group in 1974 and played on the band's hit album 'They Only Come Out at Night.' Montrose went on to have a successful solo career and worked with bands such as Van Morrison and Sammy Hagar.
3. Dan Hartman - Born on December 8, 1950, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Dan was a singer, songwriter, and musician. He joined the Edgar Winter Group in 1974 and played bass guitar and keyboards. Hartman wrote several of the band's hit songs, including 'Free Ride' and 'Hangin' Around.' He later had a successful solo career and wrote and produced music for many other artists, including Tina Turner and James Brown.
4. Chuck Ruff - Born on May 16, 1951, in Monterey, California, Chuck was a drummer and songwriter. He joined the Edgar Winter Group in 1974 and played on the band's hit album 'They Only Come Out at Night.' Ruff later worked with other musicians such as Sammy Hagar and Bob Weir.
5. Rick Derringer - Born on August 5, 1947, in Fort Recovery, Ohio, Rick was a guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He joined the Edgar Winter Group in 1975 and played on the band's hit album 'Shock Treatment.' Derringer went on to have a successful solo career and worked with many notable musicians such as Alice Cooper and Kiss.
Track List for They Only Come Out At Night:
1. 'Hangin' Around' (3:02): The album opens with an upbeat rocker, driven by the group's signature thick organ sound and Winter's wailing saxophone.
2. 'When It Comes' (3:18): This track features a catchy chorus and some intricate guitar work from Ronnie Montrose, who provides a strong backbone to the song alongside the rhythm section.
3. 'Alta Mira' (3:18): A standout instrumental piece, 'Alta Mira' showcases the band's instrumental chops. The piece starts off slowly before building up to a frenetic, progressive rock-inspired finale.
4. 'Free Ride' (3:07): Perhaps the most well-known song from the album, 'Free Ride' is a classic rock staple. The track features a simple, infectious riff that eventually gives way to a harmonized vocal refrain.
5. 'Undercover Man' (3:50): 'Undercover Man' is a mid-tempo rocker with a memorable chorus and some great organ work from Winter. The song also features a bluesy guitar solo and a dynamic drum solo in the middle.
6. 'Round & Round' (4:01): A darker track than some of the others, 'Round & Round' features lyrics about the cyclical nature of life over a driving guitar riff and some atmospheric sound effects.
7. 'Rock 'N' Roll Boogie Woogie Blues' (3:28): As the title suggests, this track brings together elements of rock, boogie-woogie, and blues into a rollicking jam. The song features some impressive piano work from Winter and a fun call-and-response section between the vocals and guitars.
8. 'Autumn' (3:00): 'Autumn' is a short, mellow instrumental piece that showcases Winter's mastery of the keyboard. The slowed-down pace provides a nice breather after some of the more uptempo tracks on the album.
9. 'We All Had a Real Good Time' (3:07): The album closes out with another classic rocker. 'We All Had a Real Good Time' features a sing-along chorus and some great guitar solos from Montrose. The song also features a great horn section that adds another layer of energy to the track.
Overall, They Only Come Out At Night is a fantastic album that showcases The Edgar Winter Group's unique blend of rock, blues, and funk. The album's standout tracks ('Free Ride' and 'Alta Mira') have become classic rock staples, but the deep cuts are just as enjoyable and deserving of attention.
Discography for The Edgar Winter Group:
Here is the complete discography for The Edgar Winter Group in chronological order:
Albums:
- Entrance (1970)
- Edgar Winter's White Trash (1971)
- Roadwork (1972)
- They Only Come Out at Night (1972)
- Shock Treatment (1974)
- Jasmine Nightdreams (1975)
- The Edgar Winter Group with Rick Derringer (1975)
- Together: Edgar Winter and Johnny Winter Live (1976)
- Recycled (1977)
- Standing on Rock (1981)
- Mission Earth (1986)
- Not a Kid Anymore (1994)
- The Real Deal (1996)
- Live in Japan (1998)
- Winter Blues (2005)
- Rebel Road (2008)
Singles:
- 'Frankenstein' b/w 'Hangin' Around' (1972)
- 'Free Ride' b/w 'When It Comes' (1973)
- 'River's Risin' b/w 'Rock 'n' Roll Boogie Woogie Blues' (1974)
- 'Save the Planet' b/w 'Rock 'n' Roll Woman' (1974)
- 'Easy Street' b/w 'Diamond Eyes' (1975)
- 'It's Your Life to Live' b/w 'Someone Take My Heart Away' (1976)
- 'Above and Beyond' b/w 'People Music' (1976)
- 'Hometown Blues' b/w 'Indian Summer' (1977)
- 'One Day Tomorrow' b/w 'I've Had Enough' (1978)
- 'I'm Not a Kid Anymore' b/w 'New Man' (1994)
Other Releases:
- 'Alta Mira' (instrumental) on the soundtrack album to the movie 'Our Time' (1974)
- 'This Old Heart' and 'Animal' on the soundtrack album to the movie 'Skatetown, U.S.A.' (1979)