Caught On Camera: Johnny Winter Jams “Rock And Roll, Hoochie Koo,” And It Rocks

Detroit Tube Works, 1971

As far as we’re concerned, Johnny Winter could have played the dictionary and it still would have sounded absolutely amazing. This footage features the Texas blues great having a jam session on the short-lived television show Detroit Tube Works in 1971 with his bass player Randy Hobbs, and over the course of Johnny’s 30 minute interview, he and Randy performed a stripped down version of ‘Rock And Roll, Hoochie Koo’ that puts even the most skilled full bands to shame!

He makes everything look so effortless; from the way he’s just casually sprawled in a chair backstage, hat tipped over one eye to the way he just seems to know the right places to add in a solo or two, Johnny looks more like we just caught him in the middle of a jam session at home on a Friday night rather than on live television.

Fun Fact: ‘Rock And Roll, Hoochie Koo’ was written by Rick Derringer in 1970 during his stint in Johnny’s band, Johnny Winter And.

One of music’s biggest unsung heroes, Johnny Winter proves in this impromptu jam session that he’s quite a fantastic slide and lead guitarist, and a pretty gifted blues singer to boot!

+ Rock And Roll, Hoochie Koo lyrics +

Couldn’t stop moving when it first took hold.
It was a warm spring night at the old town hall.
There was a group called ‘The Jokers’ they were layin’ it down.
Don’t ya know I’m never gonna lose that funky sound.

Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo (Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo)
Lordy mama, light my fuse (Light my fuse)
Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo (Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo)
Drop on out and spread the news.

Skeeters start a buzzin’ ’bout this time a year.
I’m goin’ ’round back, said she’d meet me there.
We were rollin’ in the grass that grows behind the barn.
When my ears started ringing like a fire alarm.

Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo (Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo)
Lordy mama, light my fuse (Light my fuse)
Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo (Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo)
Drop on out and spread the news.

Yeah, did somebody say keep on rockin’?

Hope you all know what I’m talkin’ about.
The way they wiggle that thing really knocks me out.
Gettin’ high all the time, hope you all are too.
C’mon little closer gonna do it to you.

Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo (Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo)
Lordy mama, light my fuse (Light my fuse)
Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo (Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo)
Drop on out and spread the news.

Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo (Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo)
Lordy mama, light my fuse (Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo)
Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo (Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo)
Jump on out and spread the news.
That I’m tired of payin’ dues (Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo)
Done said goodbye to all my blues (Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo)
Lordy mama, light my fuse.