Leytonstone BLUES JAM - Blues Jam Profiles: WERNER LINDNER

Werner "Flamingstratman" Lindner

Vocals and Incendiary Guitar
Blues Hall Of Fame ambassador to Germany!

Are you local?

No.

Where are you from, originally?

Germany

What's your tipple?

Beer (...of course!)

What's your earliest memory?

Playing on a toy guitar for my great-granddad.

What was the first record you ever bought with your own money?

The Beatles: Hamburg recordings.

...and do you still have it?

Yep.

Any hobbies/interests?

Reading, TV, good food, good booze, meeting friends.

Do you remember the very first gig you went to? What was it like?

Yes - my big brother's band. It was fantastic (though I'd say quite awful nowadays).

Worst job you've ever had?

Compulsory Army Service - no comment!

What's your claim to fame (not necessarily musical)?

I played drums on TV when I was young.

If you could invite 6 people (past, present or fictional) to dinner, Who would you choose?

My wife Marita, Jimi, Mitch Mitchell, John Lennon and my mates Terry and Vera.

Been playing/performing long?

Started playing piano live at the age of 8. First band gig was as a drummer 1978 when I was 16.
First acoustic guitar 1981...

Werner with his acoustic guitar

...and first electric in 1983. Boy - I'm an old fart!

What first got you interested in the Blues?

Vinyl: "Remember..." by The Yardbirds

What other types of music do you like to listen to/play?

Nearly everything - no rap, no Brittney or Madonna, no Gaga, no Googoo or Blabla.

Favourite Blues artists?

Muddy Waters
Otis Rush
Willie Dixon
Buddy Guy
Peter Green

Favourite artists (any other genre) ?

The Beatles, King Crimson, Jeff Beck, all 60s R'n'B.

Ever been lucky enough to meet or share a stage with one of your musical heroes?

No - still working on that.

Favourite instruments and/or equipment?

My Flamingstrat:

...and my VOX AC30

If you had to sum up your relationship with the Blues using just one word, what would it be?

Devotion, I fear.

Who would you pick (past or present) for your dream band?

Mitch Mitchell and Jack Bruce should do it - maybe plus Stevie Winwood on organ.

Most embarrassing moment?

Broke down on my knees dramatically during a guitar solo and fell over.

Proudest moment!

Broke down on my knees dramatically during guitar solo, fell over, made a roll, stood up, all in one motion - playing solo the whole time.

What do you most enjoy about the Blues Jam?

Fun... interaction.

If you could travel back in time to be present at one moment/event in musical history, what would it be?

1967 in London. Think of all the records that came out that year!

Who would they cast to play you in the movie of your life?

Patrick Mcnee in his 70s Avengers version, but with a bigger belly.

Marmite: - Yes or No?

I could suck a pig through a straw, me.

If you were invited on "Desert Island Discs", which 8 records would you choose?

1. Voodoo Chile - Jimi Hendrix
2. Man Of The World - Fleetwood Mac
3. Need Your Love So Bad - Fleetwood Mac
4. Modern Music - BeBop Deluxe
5. Epitaph - King Crimson
6. May This Be Love - Jimi Hendrix
7. White Room - Cream
8. Friends Of Mine - The Zombies

...and what would be your luxury item?

A library.

What is the most important lesson life has taught you?

Don't hurry - things need time.

Go on - tell us a secret!

I tried it and found out that I am probably the world's worst violin-player.