Passionate and talented, Paul was an incredible guitar player – a sentiment shared by friends of his like Buddy Guy and Warren Haynes. He collaborated with many musical greats and he was a relentless road dog, touring the world over… a few times. Paul served on the board of The Blues Foundation, and warmly embraced more generations into the blues, just like his heroes before him.
Perhaps among his most important accomplishments, Paul faithfully worked to enrich and preserve Johnny Winter’s legacy after the blues great’s own dramatic and unexpected death on tour, and was loyal in his continued care of Johnny’s widow Susan. Make no mistake, Paul was the most important part of cementing Johnny Winter’s unending mark on music.
I’m still shocked that I’m even having to write this today. Paul was a close friend for years. We listened to Johnny’s old records and he told me dozens of unforgettable stories from the road while we documented Johnny’s lifelong memorabilia, which we would eventually turn into Johnny Winter merch.
Among so many great memories, we once crawled around Woodstock, NY together and rocked out to a box of ancient, unheard Johnny Winter live bootleg tapes (straight from the board!) that I desperately hope don’t end up lost forever.
Paul was one of a kind, a bonafide statesman of the Blues; not an elder and he didn’t need to be. He’d seen and lived it all alongside the greatest bluesmen who ever lived, right where he belonged.
It was an absolute honor to call Paul a good friend, and to work together on Johnny Winter’s legacy.
Here’s Paul’s Merch, which benefits his estate.
You can learn more about Paul on his website.
See Johnny Winter and Paul on Letterman promoting Roots in 2011.
