You Wanted the Best...Number Nine

Our top ten glam band countdown continues. Yesterday, Badlands landed at number ten.

In the ninth spot…Winger.

Openly chided, Winger is constantly the butt of jokes. Of course, the critics are forgetting an important fact: Kip Winger and his band are monstrously talented and consistently release top notch music.

While Beavis and Butt-Head laughed at Winger’s songs and videos, millions of people worldwide rushed to buy the self titled debut in 1988 (it reached #21 on the Billboard chart). While you probably know Winger by “Headed For A Heartbreak” and “Seventeen” some of their later albums provide more complex riffs and lyrics.

Like Badlands, Winger also features a hot shot guitarist: Reb Beach. Like most in-demand guitarists, Beach has played in a lot of big name bands, most notably Whitesnake. Still, his vocal harmonies with Kip Winger are unmatched and together they make a powerful recording duo.

There are a lot of great voices in rock: Rob Halford, Ronnie James Dio, Sebastian Bach…and Kip Winger. I’ve seen Winger in a traditional concert setting and I’ve seen Kip solo and acoustic. Either way, his musical ability is awe inspiring.

Winger released Pull in 1993, and it’s one of the best albums of that year. Actually, it’s one of the best album’s of the decade. Yes, it’s better than Nirvana’s Nevermind and it’s certainly better than The Downward Spiral by Nine Inch Nails.

Even better, the members of Winger actually look like they are having fun on stage. That goes a long way in my book.

Here’s a clip of Winger performing “Headed For A Heartbreak” live on MTV. I’m not sure of the date, but I’m guessing sometime in 1989.

Don't agree with my choice? Come back tomorrow and see who lands at number eight on the ten best glam bands of all time list.

Comments

[Vince Neilstein]

Kip is wearing a Metal Church shirt in that video! awesome!

[Christian Graus]

But, Nevermind was crap.

[missy]

I never was a big fan of Winger (tho I have to admit, their first album *was* pretty good), saying one of their albums was better than Downward Spiral is a ballsy statement!

-The Hair Metal Queen

[Jason]

I love Winger, from the first album to the most recent studio release. They were really far above most of their peers musically, and as you said Kip's voice is amazing. Truly one of the most underrated and underappreciated rock bands of our time.

[Rhodeislandrock, Heavy Metal Addiction]

Say what you want about Winger but they put out three solid records in their heyday. My favorite is '93's PULL but I played those first two albums a ton when I was a kid. I've seen Kip solo acoustic, he is very talented and an excellent musician.....that's what made Winger, the musicianship.

Steve
Heavy Metal Addiction
http://hardrockheavymetal.wordpress.com/

[Chessie >^..^<]

Yep, have to agree... >:) Last year they released IV which continued the trend of Kip's very complex lyrics, Reb's playing, and support from Rod Morgenstein & John Roth, plus keyboard work from newcomer Cenk Erglou. They also came home from a sold-out tour of Japan & Austrailia. Rumor has it that they are on the road again in Feb/March next year...hopefully someplace closer to Virginia! :P

(Goes off chanting, "We're #9, we're #9!)

Chessie >^..^<
www.kipwinger.com
www.rebbeach.com

[Bobbie]

IV, a tribute to our servicemen & women, is argueably one of the best albums to be released in 2006/07. The lyrics are inspiring, the complexity of the music is amazing and the musicianship of the band on the album is top notch - as always. Once again, Kip, Reb, Rod and John have put out a superior album that eclipses much of the music being put out by younger, newer artists.

Winger IS the standard to which ALL musicians should set themselves. This is an incredibly talented group of guys that genuinely love playing together and have since they formed in the late 80's. Unlike many other 80's bands who have had their feuds with members coming and going thru revolving doors, Winger has remained with essentially the same line up since their inception. There have been no blow up fights, no "prima donna" attitudes. They just go out there and blow your face off with their music. This is what ALL musicians should aspire to.

While Winger may be #9 on this countdown, I can most assuredly tell you that they will ALWAYS be #1 in the hearts of those who truly love them and their music.

Bobbie
"Believe in the power of music"

www.wingertheband.com
www.myspace.com/wingertheband

[Chey]

I am not a hudge fan of them although they do have some good songs. he just doesn't look like he belongs in a metal band. i don't know, i guess it was just the facial hair. lol they do have some good songs. seventeen being my favorite.

[George]

I do agree that Winger is extremely underrated. I think it still goes back to people thinking Kip was too 'pretty' in the videos or something. I always regretted missing them in their prime back in like 1990 when they opened the Kiss "Hot in the Shade" tour with Slaughter. I was fortunate enough to see them in a small club this summer and they were great. The musicianship was top notch and you could tell they were all having a great time and they were joking around a lot too.

[glam rocker archie]

i did have the priveledge of seeing winger on above mentioned tour and on a recent poison tour, they kick ass live. kips vocals are amazing live and so is the rest of the band. i cant say im a bid fan of IV but the first 3 cds are great and still hit my cd player. i also like the new demos cd, very well put together.

[M]

If you don't like Winger, you really haven't ever heard them. They have great "popular" songs, but it's the songs you've never heard on the radio that will get you. Like a Ritual and In My Veins on Pull. Disappear and Blue Suede Shoes on IV. Each member of the band is a musician, not just a rock star. Reb is the most amazing of guitar players - Kip plays the bass as if he is Reb playing a solo. John is an amazing musician - so blusey! And, Rod - he's Rod Morgenstein. Holy crap, he's incredible! Don't like Winger? You should listen again.

[Christian Graus]

Just to be clear, they sold out VERY small clubs in Australia.

[aXe mAn]

Winger ROCKS! Nice pick Allyson.

[nirVrana]

Winger is the most underrated band of the 80's. Pull and Winger IV are two of the best post-80's albums by any band, and you should check them out if you have not.