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John Roth on John Roth...

        Born in Springfield, Illinois to Jack and Jane Roth, I was the second of two children At the age of three, my mother moved my sister, Justine, and me to Arkansas after my parents separated to live near my grandparents.It was there that I was introduced to Music through my cousins Wade and Chuck Robertson... By the way, thanks guys! I was 10 years old visiting my Aunt and heard incredibly loud music coming from her basement... I remember the room being very dark as I crept down those stairs! The music got so intense it almost hurt my ears. It was kind of scary, and I liked it! That next Christmas, my cousin Chuck gave me a harmonica, and I picked it up and played it first try. Chuck told my mother that I had an ear for music, and she should consider getting a guitar for me. Well, she bought one for my 11th birthday, and I haven't put it down since!

        

      

                                                                                         

                                                                                                                          

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        After the last "Pull" tour dates in 1993 in Japan, the various members of Winger each began solo projects and other musical ventures.I started branching out as a lead singer instead of being just a background vocalist, and focused more than ever before on my song writing. I played hundreds of gigs on Beale street in Memphis with funk-soul band The Lost Boys to stay in touch with my Blues, R & B, and Soul roots. Along the way I have found a style in my voice as well as my song writing and guitar that I feel is truly my own. The result of this musical journey to date is my newest CD, simply titled John Roth. It is a fusion of styles ranging from modern and classic rock to soul.


 

Onstage with Survivor

 

 

        In 1992, I had an opportunity to audition for the rock band Winger and decided to go for it. I flew to Los Angeles, auditioned for the band and got the gig. In '93 I went on tour to support the cd "Pull" in the U.S., Canada, and Japan performing guitars, keyboards, and backing vocals, and also appeared in four Winger videos. Playing with that band was a great musical experience! Great songs, awesome musicianship, and really cool guys. The tour lasted six months ending in Japan. Since then, I've continued to work with Kip on his solo projects "Songs from the Ocean Floor", and "Made by Hand", as well as recording and touring with Winger on "The Best of Winger",and the newest album "Winger 4".

 

 

 

 

 

 

WINGER - Photo from Metal Edge Magazine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    JR and his first guitar
John's first gig
                                                                                   
      Soon I was playing in bands around the area, and by the age of fourteen got my first professional club gig in Memphis opening a show for guitar legend Eric Johnson. I quickly grew into the Memphis music scene after being heard by notables such as guitarist/producer Jack Holder. Jack was producing the Memphis rock band Medieval Steel and recommended me as lead guitarist for the band. I joined the band, recorded the record, and played shows supporting the band's EP.                                                                            
       After graduating high school I met rock legends Jim Dandy and Black Oak Arkansas and was asked to join the band as their lead guitarist.With BOA, I toured the U.S. and Canada extensively, opening shows for artists such as Meat Loaf, Blue Oyster Cult, and Robin Trower, among others. I grew and learned a lot from my time with the band.After Black Oak, I worked with Jimi Jamison, lead vocalist of Survivor, playing lead guitar and singing background vocals on Jamisons's first solo effort "When love comes down", and also working with Jimi on the Sylvester Stallone motion picture soundtrack "Lock Up". I co wrote the single, "Rock Hard" off of the album with Jimi Jamison and Scotty T, which was subsequently placed on the hit television series "Baywatch". I then toured with Jimi opening shows for Hall and Oates and Stevie Nicks, which then led in a natural way to me playing guitar on concert dates with Survivor.