I was listening to "Party On The Patio" by ZZ Top and Johnny Winter's version of "Sound The Bell". Well, I just had to have me one of them big rock numbers so I turned "Sound The Bell" inside-out. Cut the riff in half and used the last half first and the first half last. Now say that fast three times.
Jeff Ganz was playing bass with Johnny Winter at that time and had recorded one of my songs on his own label. Jeff thought that "99 Below" was perfect for Johnny's new record and brought it to the recording session. Jeff called me and said that Johnny liked the song and that it was up for consideration.
It can not be overstated how important Johnny Winter was to me when I was Fifteen years old. So when I picture him listening to one of my songs in the studio, I am overwhelmed. What more could one ask for than to be appreciated by the artist who inspired you in the first place?
-Big Monti
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lyrics
99 Below
Standing at the payphone
My whole life is on hold
My baby’s voice can comfort me
When this old world gets cold
It’s 99 below
I just got to get through
I got to hear my baby’s voice
If it’s the last thing I do
The sky is falling
I can barely see
Somewhere the sun does shine
But it don’t shine on me
The phone just keeps on ringing
It’s driving me insane
I got to talk to my baby
And hear her call my name
Standing at the payphone
She got my love on hold
I don’t blame my baby
But man it sure is cold
credits
from Straight Out!,
released April 1, 1990
Debbie Smith - bass
Cory Burden - drums
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