Kip Winger
is an American rock musician, member of the hard rock band Winger and a solo artist.
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KIP WINGER TICKETS
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Biography
Born Charles Frederick Kip Winger in
Denver,
Colorado, on
June 21,
1961, to parents who were
jazz musicians. Music was a way of life since childhood.
He grew up playing in a band named Blackwood Creek with brothers Nate, Paul and friend Peter Fletcher (currently in
Pigmy Love Circus). Blackwood Creek broke up in 1980 but have since reformed and currently getting ready to release a new CD.
At 16, he began studying classical music after being exposed to the likes of
Debussy,
Ravel, and
Stravinsky in
ballet class. Also at age 16, he sent a demo tape to
Alan Parsons, to which he received a personal reply from Alan himself. Years later, when Kip was chosen to be the lead singer of
the Alan Parsons Project, he presented Alan with that very letter from 30 years prior.
[1]
In 1982, he moved to New York City and waited
tables while studying Composition with Edgar Grana
His first big commercial break came in 1984 when he co-wrote a song for the group
KIX's third album
Midnite Dynamite
. During that time he was working closely with producer
Beau Hill, recording bass and vocals on various records. While
Reb Beach was working on
Fiona Flannigan's
Beyond The Pale
record at
Atlantic studios, Kip and Reb were introduced to each other and later began recording demos. Later, in 1985, Winger joined
Alice Cooper's band. After making two albums with Alice, Kip left in March 1987 to focus on his own band.
Kip went back to New York to work on songs with
Reb Beach. They were joined by drummer
Rod Morgenstein and keyboard player
Paul Taylor. They initially performed under the name Sahara, but eventually changed their name to
Winger per Alice Coopers suggestion.
Winger released three of its nine albums (
Winger in 1988,
In the Heart of the Young in 1990, and
Pull in 1993) before they each moved on to have very successful solo careers. Despite rumors, the band never "broke up"; they remain close friends.
Kip then moved to New Mexico to work on his solo career and study with Richard Hermann at the
University of New Mexico. Tragedy struck Kip in 1996 when his first wife Beatrice was killed in an automobile accident. He worked and recorded three solo records in Santa Fe, New Mexico: "
This Conversation Seems Like a Dream", "
Songs From The Ocean Floor", and "
Made By Hand"
In 2002 He moved to
Nashville and began working on his fourth solo record, "
From The Moon To The Sun," which he co-produced with
Cenk Eroglu.
In September 2006, Kip reformed Winger, with the Pull-era line-up, to record the band's fourth studio album,
IV, and to go on tour to support it. During this tour, Winger recorded "
Winger Live" which was released on CD and DVD in 2007. They have also released an album of rare tracks and early recordings in 2007 "Winger Demo Anthology" as well as a special autographed limited edition LP "Seventeen: The Demos" where only 300 copies were made.
Kip Winger's latest CD, "From The Moon To The Sun," debuted in 2008 which brought rave reviews and the following Press Release:
Now Kip Winger is back with his new solo album "From the Moon to the Sun": a true career defining statement and, once again, another cd which witnesses the creative evolution of the American composer.
“I am an artist that will continue to push the envelope into the direction that my ear and abilities are taking me, with no compromise”, says Kip, adding “I worked hard to make this record my best yet. For sure it is musically very diverse… Hence the title , From the Moon to the Sun".
The music offered on the record is truly a flow that has no boundaries, from the fresh rock approach of songs like “Every Story Told”, “Nothing” or “Reason To Believe”, to the Pop sensibilities of “Where Will You Go” and “California”, to the acoustic mood of “Pages and Pages” and “In Your Eyes Another Life”, down to the unbelievable instrumental piece “Ghosts”, “From the Moon to the Sun” brings the listener to a journey in a kaleidoscope of different moods.
The album sees also musical contributions from Rod Morgenstein and Ken Mary on drums, Andy Timmons and Rob Eberhard Young on guitar, Alan Pasqua on piano, Cenk Eroglu on songwriting, keyboards and guitars.
Tour dates are in the works: don't miss the opportunity to meet and experience the music of one of this true great modern Artist.
Current Happenings
- Kip Winger has recently completed a twenty minute symphonic piece, "Ghosts," written for strings, piano, and harp for a ballet commission. He is currently studying with composer Michael Kurek.
- Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon began choreography to Kip's Classical Piece "Ghosts" which will be performed by the San Fransisco Ballet. Premier debut in February 2010.
- The world premiere of Kip's Classical Piece "Ghosts" music will be with the November 14-15, 2009. For more info on this special event please visit the or the
- KIP WINGER Honored by United States Government And Military - Multi-platinum recording artist, producer and songwriter Kip Winger was recently presented with an honorary plaque and a historic United States of America flag by The Government of the United States. Winger was recognized for his musical composition "Blue Suede Shoes" honoring the service and sacrifice of the United States armed forces and their families.
In a surprise presentation ceremony during the taping of "Legends & Lyrics", General Harold Cross honored and praised Kip for his work on "Winger IV".
The flag has historic significance as it was the last United States of America flag to fly over Forward Operating Base, Kalsu, located in Iskandaria, Iraq, 20 miles south of Baghdad. Before it was turned over to the Iraqis, FOB Kalsu was the U.S. Army soldier's broadband Internet services facility in Iraq as well as a base to stop enemy activity in the Sunni Triangle.
"Winger IV"'s (Shrapnel Records) concept and emphasis was on our military and what it was like to be solider, form a soldiers perspective, leaving politics at the door. Kip had a vision to support the American troops that are standing ground in Iraq and elsewhere. "I had been doing solo shows at military bases and in speaking with many of the soldiers, their stories touched me," explains Kip. "It was amazing to hear how far-reaching our music was and how many soldiers have been moved by it. I was truly humbled by the stories."
The album artwork was handled by Ethan Van Sciver who wanted to put in his part for our military. Sciver is a renowned DC Comics book artist and penciler who has contributed (among others) to Cyberfrog, new X-Men, The Flash: Iron Heights and Impulse. The "Guardian Of Freedom" album art depicts our military's finest protecting with guardian angels that are representative of our prayers we send.
- Winger's New CD "Karma" is scheduled for release October 2009 through Frontiers Records
- Kip has since reformed his original band, Blackwood Creek, and is mixing for a new release.
- Kip's music will be featured in the upcoming film set for release in 2009
- Kip has participated, and performed, as Head Counselor in the popular with other accomplished artists such as Roger Daltry, Steven Tyler, Todd Rundgren, Mark Hudon, Jack Blades, Kelly Keagy, Bruce Kulick, Bill Leverty, Steve Lukather, Duff McKagan, Mark Slaughter, Carmine Appice, Rudy Sarzo and many other's. For details on upcoming camps please visit the Rock Fantasy Camp website.
- Kip recently appeared on the PBS series with a live performance on season one of this series. Check your local listings for time and station information for Kip's segment. .
Personal life
Kip dated actress
Rachel Hunter before she married
Rod Stewart. Kip lost his first wife in a car accident in 1996. He has since remarried to Paula Winger and they currently reside in Nashville. Kip continues to write, create, produce and study music while also having successful tours, worldwide.
Discography
Albums
Winger
- Winger
(1988)
- In the Heart of the Young
(1990)
- Pull
(1993)
- The Very Best of Winger
(2001)
- IV
(2006)
- Demo Anthology
(2007)
- Seventeen The Demos
Vinyl Autographed Limited Edition(2007)
- Winger Live
(2007)
- Karma
(October 2009)
Solo
- This Conversation Seems Like a Dream
(1996)
- Down Incognito
(1998)
- Songs from the Ocean Floor
(2000)
- From the Moon to the Sun
(2008)
Other
- KIX - Midnite Dynamite
(1985)
- Alice Cooper - Constrictor
(1985)
- Alice Cooper - Raise Your Fist and Yell
(1986)
- Fiona - Beyond The Pale
(1986)
- Bob Dylan - Down in the Groove
(1987)
- Kane Roberts - Kane Roberts
(1987)
- Blue Yonder - House of Love
(1987)
- Various artists - Hearts of Fire Soundtrack
(1987)
- Twisted Sister - Love Is For Suckers
(1987)
- Alice Cooper - Trash
(1989)
- Fiona - Heart Like A Gun
(1989)
- Various artists - Smoke on the Water - A Tribute to Deep Purple
(1994)
- Various artists - Send her my love - A Tribute to Journey
(2006)
- Orange Swirl - Orange Swirl
(1998)
- Seven Days - Ride
(1998)
- Rob Eberhart Young - Speak
(1999)
- Under Suspicion - Under Suspicion
(2001)
- Various artists - Stone Cold Queen - A Tribute
(2001)
- Jordan Rudess - Rhythm of Time
(2004)
- Various artists - Spin the Bottle: An All-Star Tribute to Kiss
(2004)
- Various artists - Subdivisions: A Tribute To Rush
(2005)
- XCarnation - Grounded
(2005)
- The Mob - The Mob
(2005)
- Jordan Rudess - The Road Home
(2007)
Videos/DVDs
- Alice Cooper - The Nightmare Returns Tour
(1986)
- Winger - The Videos, Vol. 1
(1989)
- Winger - In the Heart of the Young, Vol. 1
(1990)
- Winger - In the Heart of the Young, Vol. 2
(1991)
- Winger - Live in Tokyo
(1991)
- Winger - The Making of Pull
(1993)
- Various artists - VH1 Metal Mania Stripped Across America Tour Live
(2006)
- Winger - "The Making Of Winger IV" (2007)
- Winger Live (2007)
- Winger DVD - "Then & Now: The Making Of Pull & Winger IV" (2009)
Reviews/Interviews
- April 2008
- April 2008
- May 2008
- Retrieved on 2009-01-01.
- October 2008
- November 2007
References
- Metal Sludge Rewind with Kip Winger