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Kurt Winter
Kurt Winter.png
Kurt Winter with The Guess Who in 1970
Background information
Born (1946-04-02)April 2, 1946
Origin Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Died December 14, 1997(1997-12-14) (aged 51)
Genres Rock, Hard rock, Pop rock
Occupation(s) Guitarist, songwriter
Instruments
  • Guitar
Associated acts Gettysbyrg Address
The Fifth
Brother
The Guess Who

Kurt Frank Winter (born April 2, 1946 – died December 14, 1997) was a talented Canadian guitarist and songwriter. He is most famous for being a member of the popular rock band The Guess Who.

Who Was Kurt Winter?

Kurt Winter was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He went to Daniel McIntyre Collegiate Institute for his schooling. From a young age, Kurt loved music and became a skilled guitarist.

Kurt's Early Music Career

In the mid-1960s, Kurt played in several rock bands in his hometown of Winnipeg. He often worked with bassist Bill Wallace and drummer Vance Schmidt. These three musicians later formed a band called Brother in 1969.

Brother was a band that knew The Guess Who. Even though Brother only played together for a short time, it was special. All three members, Kurt Winter, Bill Wallace, and Vance Schmidt, later joined The Guess Who.

Joining The Guess Who

In 1970, the guitarist Randy Bachman left The Guess Who. The band's leader, Burton Cummings, asked Kurt Winter to join. Another guitarist, Greg Leskiw, also joined at the same time.

Kurt Winter played with The Guess Who for four years. During this time, he became one of the band's main songwriters. He often wrote songs with Burton Cummings. Together, they created many popular songs for the band.

Albums with The Guess Who

Kurt Winter helped create six studio albums with The Guess Who. These albums were very successful. In 1974, Kurt left The Guess Who. Domenic Troiano took his place as the band's guitarist.

Life After The Guess Who

After leaving The Guess Who, Kurt Winter briefly rejoined a version of the band in 1977–78. This group was led by bassist Jim Kale. Kurt also helped with an album called Guess Who's Back.

After this, Kurt Winter decided to stop working in the music business. He lived in Winnipeg for the rest of his life. Burton Cummings, his former bandmate, asked Kurt to write songs for his solo albums in the 1990s. However, Kurt chose to stay away from music.

Kurt Winter passed away on December 14, 1997, at the age of 51. His old school, Daniel McIntyre Collegiate Institute, started a scholarship in his name in 1998. This scholarship helps students who love music. Burton Cummings also wrote a song called "Kurt's Song" on his 2008 album, Above the Ground, to remember his friend. Cummings said Kurt was "one of my fondest writing partners."

Kurt Winter's Music Albums

Kurt Winter played on many albums with The Guess Who. Here are some of the albums he was part of:

  • 1970 Share the Land
  • 1971 The Best of The Guess Who
  • 1971 So Long, Bannatyne
  • 1972 Rockin'
  • 1972 Live at the Paramount
  • 1973 Artificial Paradise
  • 1973 #10
  • 1973 The Best of The Guess Who Volume II
  • 1974 Road Food
  • 1978 Guess Who's Back

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