About two months ago, I had the pleasure of seeing one of my all-time favorite musicians, the legendary blues guitarist Johnny Winter. He had just celebrated his 70th birthday with a guest-laden concert at BB King’s, and was planning to release a new album, Step Back, later this year. Unfortunately, Johnny Winter was found dead in his hotel room last night, in Zurich, Switzerland.

The blues guitarist came from humble beginnings in Texas, and rose to popularity with his down-home blues music. Despite having albinism, Winter’s playing was fierce and full-of-energy. At the peak of his career, Winter was a performer at the Woodstock Festival. After some issues with drugs, it was Johnny’s brother Edgar Winter who revitalized Johnny. Within a year, he was working with one of the all-time greats, Muddy Waters. Together, Muddy and Johnny won three Grammys for best blues album from 1977-1979.

Here’s the title track from their 1978 release, I’m Ready:

You can read more about Muddy Waters and Johnny Winter’s collaboration here.

Winter rode out the rest of his career doing what he loved… playing the blues. Constantly touring and releasing new albums, Winter never stopped being a blues musician. While the albinism left him mostly blind and rather frail, nothing could stop Johnny Winter from playing his guitar.

And my god, how that man could play! After his crew guided him onstage and placed a guitar in his lap, Winter would tear the crowd a new one. Fast, thunderous tones with every lick, coupled with heartfelt, raw vocals. He was an unstoppable phenom, living a rich and accomplished life.

You can check out his performance at his 70th birthday party at BB King’s below:

RIP Johnny Winter (1944-2014), you will be missed.

-David Melamed (@DMelamz)