Johnny Winter’s Southern Rock Twist On “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” Will Get You Dancing!

Old Grey Whistle Test, 1974

Texas blues legend Johnny Winter was never one to shy away from a challenge or an influence, and often embraced both – which is precisely what he did in 1974 when he performed his own rendition of the Rolling Stones’ classic, ‘Jumpin’ Jack Flash’. Appearing on the BBC’s Old Grey Whistle Test that year, Winter’s performance of ‘Jumpin’ Jack Flash’ is as technically skilled as it is an insane amount of fun, with Johnny dancing around in a shirt whose sleeves look like a cape before launching into a blistering guitar solo that puts Keith Richards to shame (sorry, Keef!).

In fact, Johnny’s unique, bluesy approach to rock and roll took one of the greatest songs written by the Rolling Stones and cranked it all the way up until it was impossible not to hear it and wonder, “Are you sure Johnny Winter didn’t write this?”

Fun Fact: In 1969, Johnny Winter beat Led Zeppelin’s record for the biggest record advance. Led Zeppelin held the record at $200,000, and Johnny smashed it with a whopping $600,000 record label advance.

Performances like this make us wonder exactly how it is that Johnny Winter hasn’t been inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. One of the most gifted, yet fiercely underrated guitarists in the last 50 years, Johnny had a knack for playing covers that eclipsed the originals – and this performance proves it!

+ Jumpin’ Jack Flash lyrics +

I was born in a cross-fire hurricane
And I howled at my ma in the driving rain

But it’s all right now, in fact, it’s a gas
But it’s all right, I’m jumping Jack flash
It’s a gas, gas, gas

I was raised by a toothless, bearded hag
I was schooled with a strap right across my back

But it’s all right now, in fact, it’s a gas
But it’s all right, I’m jumping Jack flash
It’s a gas, gas, gas

I was drowned, I was washed up and left for dead
I fell down to my feet and I saw they bled
I frowned at the crumbs of a crust of bread
I was crowned with a spike right through my head
Yeah, yeah, yeah

But it’s all right now, in fact, it’s a gas
But it’s all right, I’m jumping Jack flash
It’s a gas, gas, gas

Jumping Jack flash, it’s a gas
Jumping Jack flash, it’s a gas
Jumping Jack flash, it’s a gas
Jumping Jack flash, it’s a gas

Jumping Jack flash, it’s a gas
Jumping Jack flash, it’s a gas
Jumping Jack flash, it’s a gas
Jumping Jack flash, it’s a gas