Welcome to the WINGER page at AOROCK.co.uk
Winger was formed by Kip Winger, who hit the big time in rock early in his career. He managed to get a record deal after playing Alice Cooper's band as the Bass Player on the Constrictor Tour and anyone could see he was going to be a star. A very talented musician who had problems with the press because of his good looks. and many questioned his musical talent and the fact that he was producing Bon Jovi / melodic rock music. Granted there was noting that deep about the debut Winger album . and although hits like Seventeen broke Winger in the States. In the U.K. Winger really didn't cause much interest. However this was just the beginning of Kip Winger's and the band Winger's success.
The second album followed Winger II In the Heart of the Young, and this was a better album than the debut. To be honest when I think about it I like Winger's debut, but listening to it again now I only think it is a fairly good album and am surprised it did so well. However Kip Winger deserved a break and had a mainly younger MTV audience at this point. When you get hits you have to take the opportunity and go with the flow.
The press still attacked Winger's credibility and still questioned Kip Winger's ability as a musician, as Kip Winger was a pin up in the States and this image seemed to affect the critics view of Winger. Mind you Kip Winger just had to get on with it. More hits followed and still the band didn't receive the credit they deserved.
The third album Pull was to prove a maturer and excellent album. Some critics came around. Pull wasn't as commercially successful but music and song wise was Winger's best album by far. Still some critics dug their heels in . They couldn't be seen to change their mind. Some did, but most didn't. A Very Best of Winger came out and this was excellent. Winger split up and the band went their separate ways.
Kip Winger then released solo albums, including the latest album Songs From The Ocean Chair which I think his most potent and interesting release yet. This release was mature, superbly written and performed songs. Even then some critics in the music press tried to dismiss this work .Could this be the same Kip Winger which did Winger. That band with aor anthems and enough hair spray used to destroy the ozone lair!
Some critics did come around but others wouldn't budge which is plain unreasonable in my book. Winger now tours and I have seen him at The Camden Underwurlde where he was brilliant. He loved coming to London and playing to a very receptive audience. I met him and he's a great guy and a very talented musician who's not above mixing with his audience, signing autographs and very much enjoying his solo musician status. To be honest I prefer Kip Winger than Winger the band. That's personal choice. Don't get me wrong I liked Winger, but when you see Kip Winger tour , just him and his guitar you realise how talented Kip Winger is. Make sure you see him when he tours again.
WINGER WINGER II KIP WINGER BEST OF WINGER INCOGNITO PULLSONGS FROM THE OCEAN CHAIR