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Uncle John Turner Obituary
His wife, Morgan, was at his side at Seton Hospital.
Winter is scheduled to play the Antone’s show, which will help pay Turner’s medical expenses. Younger blues acts such as Mike Keller, Carolyn Wonderland and Eve Monsees, who all fell under Turner’s mentorship, will also play the benefit.
Turner was a native of Port Arthur, where he met Winter at as a teen. When the albino guitarist with the quick, wiry fingers formed a blues band in 1968, he tapped Turner to play drums. The red-headed Uncle John suggested his friend Tommy Shannon as bassist and the trio went on to set the blues rock scene afire with 1969’s “Johnny Winter” on Columbia. Winter and band redefined Texas blues for the flower power generation at the Aug. 1969 Woodstock festival.
Turner later performed with such artists as Jimi Hendrix, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Muddy Waters and B.B. King. “Man, I can set my watch to your time,” King once exclaimed after a jam with Uncle John, who played Woodstock with Winter.
In later years, Turner backed Houston bluesman Alan Haynes and formed the Blues Power project. The classic Winter trio reunited last year at a Johnny Winter concert at La Zona Rosa.
“So many people loved Uncle John and wanted to be part of the benefit,” said club owner Susan Antone.
Memorial services are pending.
Memories and Condolences
for Uncle John Turner
23 Entries
Leesa Harrington-Squyres
April 28, 2025
I was thinking about Uncle and came across this obit. I credit Unc as a mentor. The man who taught me the Uncle John Shuffle. He told me "girl .it'll just happen one night on stage..." And he was right! I miss you Unc...you were an amazing drummer and a man wiser than words.
Kelly Eakin
April 19, 2020
Uncle John...Jeffrey Hobson (my best friend) and myself walked into Joes Generic one night and waved Jeff down to tell him to go and visit his mother (Bruce Bowland's sister) because she was sick. Jeff will forever thank you for being a friend, because of you he did go visit his mother before she passed away.
I've listened to you play many many nights and have great memories to look back on. Thank you!
PS: I know you and Jeff are having a good time up there. Give him a big hug and tell him I love him.
Until I see y'all again. xoxo
Freddie Boyd
November 5, 2018
A musician friend of mine always said Uncle John had a natural, built in metronome.
John Fleming
July 18, 2014
Just thinking about Unc after the death of Johnny. I remember sitting around Texas Tom's Music Store listening to him do drum rudiments. It was as beautiful as his performing. I guess the fact that I was usually an audience of one added to the thrill. With him, Johnny, Stevie and Jimi in the heavenly band there will definitely be some Blues anchored by Unc. I guess my only question would be who will be on bass? Probably Jimi. He played some bass with Little Richard.
Vicki Ford
August 10, 2007
I was truly saddened when I heard of Uncle John's passing. My best friend and I have some of our best memories listening to the harmonious and tight sound of "True Blues" flowing from Uncle John and Alan Haynes, freely captivating so many souls. Your legacy will forever be remembered. God Bless You,
Vicki Miller Ford
Judy Keys
August 7, 2007
Uncle John will be sorely missed in the blues community. I met him in the late 90's while performing w/ Alan Haynes @ Headlines East & was elated to learn he & I share the same hometown of good ole P.A. My thoughts and prayers are with you,Morgan. God Bless you.
Donna Teague
August 2, 2007
Morgan; I am so sorry for your loss. I know how much you loved him and how much you will miss him.
Donna Carlin
July 31, 2007
Johnnie's Mom, Allene, had a beauty shop in their home. My Mom and Grandmother went there. I knew Johnnie from an early age. He was always a happy guy with a great laugh. The PN-G class of 1962 have alot of happy memories. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Morgan.
Steve Stewart
July 30, 2007
The world has truly lost a tremendous talent and a person who had such an incredible knowledge of south-east texas/louisiana musical history. His posts on the guitarslinger thread were always interesting and really down to earth.....Unc seemed to have a great sense of humour and a fabulous perspective in regard to travelling through life. I never met him however I feel he touched my life through his music and his posts. I will miss him and I send my good thoughts to Morgan. God Bless U.J.T.
Janet Quist
July 30, 2007
Unc, I have been watching you play for years at the New Orleans Club, Soap Creek, One Knite, I was just 15. We had great times I will always remember. We all shared a house on 15th st. You and Jill, Tommy S. and myself and Stevie V. Good times. That awful disease got us all. I am sorry for the pain you went through. God Bless.
Betsy Gardemal
July 29, 2007
I am saddened to learn of Johnny's death. It's been 45 years since we were classmates and friends in school. He was a sweet guy.
Lynn Field
July 28, 2007
Uncle John - there will be a huge gap in the Austin music scene without your prsence. I was always happy to see you at The 3ll Club.
tommy davis
July 28, 2007
i first heard second winter at age nine. being a big fan of power trio
drummers mr. turner blew me away.
being from flint mich. don brewer of grand funk railroad was god.
then i heard uncle . rest in peace.
p.s. thank you for that driving beat.
Chris Cox
July 27, 2007
Unc it was a pleasure to get to your input on the GuitarSlinger site. I know that you will be in good company in heaven and are probably getting reacquainted with some old buds. Your music speaks volumes and so do your friends.
RIP
Kent Jordan
July 27, 2007
I've been a Johnny Winter fan since about 1970. I didn't know Uncle John was even living in Austin until I saw him playing one night at Joe's a few years ago. I got the chance to meet him and talk for a bit. It was a really special treat for me.
Uncle John Turner - Summer 2006
Ron Baker
July 27, 2007
Thank you for the music Uncle John Turner. R.I.P. And thanks to the Statesman for using my photo of John from a gig last summer. Here is the complete original picture:
Dean Keller
July 27, 2007
God Bless Uncle John, You have given so much to are family and fellow musician's. Cathy and I and my son's will never forget. Dean Michael Keller.
Daniel David
July 27, 2007
I met you at the Vulcan Gas Company. You treated me like a friend!
You will be missed!
Ted Ward
July 27, 2007
Rest in peace, Unk.
Larry Lee
July 27, 2007
Another great Texas blues man is called home. Rest in peace.
Diana Martinez
July 27, 2007
You will be missed
chris poehlman
July 26, 2007
although i never met morgan i am sure she is a special sweet person as was unc. i met unc only once at the glen show at the backyard show for johnny winter last year. i was the only person brazen enough to go through the back lot parking lot and approach the winnebago for johnny and the his band. i had brought 4 albums for johnny to sign. i met a man standing outside the rv and struck up a conversation with him when low and behold i found out it was unc! we had talked for a few minutes about johnny and his past relationship with unc. i finally asked unc if he would be so kind to take the albums i had brought (unc had already signed two that he had played on) inside to get johnny to sign. he looked at me and said "no, you go in with me and get them yourself"! what a thrill to meet one of my favorite guitatist for over 30 years! i know from that what a special person unc really was.
please accept my deepest sympathy on your loss and please remember to feel blessed for the time that you shared together.
love,
chris poehlman
July 26, 2007
Please leave messages for Morgan (Uncle John's wife) on www.uncathon.com as well as in this book.
Thank you.
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