I saw Johnny Winter in 1980 at a less than half full Santa Cruz Civic. I was up front with my elbows on the stage. I actually went because a college classmate told me I should. Like many, I knew of Johnny, but I hadn’t experienced his live music before.
He came on to the music scene strong as a young blues prodigy, so he didn’t really sneak up on people, but if it’s possible, he goes down as one of the most underrated guitarists ever.
I don’t know how to aptly describe the performance I witnessed, other than to say I could not get out of my mind how I felt for those who elected not to be there. Something very rare and indelibly special happened.
Here is a link from a few years after that without his signature Gibson Firebird, rendering a hall shaking rock and roll staple with innate ease and purpose.