ROCKLAND — Maine Lobster Festival organizers, among many worldwide fans of blues rock musician Johnny Winter, are reeling from the news Thursday that Winter died July 16.

According to media reports, Winter, 70, was found dead in a hotel room outside Zurich, Switzerland, Thursday. Winter became famous for his music in 1968, when Rolling Stone magazine dubbed him the "hottest musician outside Janis Joplin."

Johnny Winter performed with his brother, Edgar, also a well-known blues musician, since their were in their teens. They played African-American blues. Johnny played the Newport Jazz Festival in 1969 with one of his musical idols, B.B. King, and then in the 1970s produced an album for another one of his idols, Muddy Waters.

The Johnny Winter Band was booked to perform at this year's Maine Lobster Festival, July 30-Aug. 3, along with the Edgar Winter Band, Vanilla Fudge, Peter Rivera and Savoy Brown's Kim Simmonds. The "Rock 'N' Blues Fest" classic rock and blues show is scheduled for Saturday night, Aug. 2.

Chuck Kruger, president of the Maine Lobster Festival Entertainment and also in charge of booking entertainment, said Thursday that the "show will go on."

"We are all dealing with the news of Johnny's death, obviously," said Kruger. "But as far as the Lobster Festival goes, I booked a tour, Johnny Winter was the headliner and his brother, Edgar, was part of the tour and I've received word that the tour will go on."

Kruger said he is currently in negotiations with a "star guitarist," who has a long history with Johnny Winter, to join the tour.

"The concert Saturday night will be a tribute to Johnny," said Kruger. "I haven't completed negotiations with the guitar player yet, and people should watch for an announcement about an additional guitarist in the coming days."

In a press release Thursday afternoon, Kruger said, “The Maine Lobster Festival is deeply sorry to hear of Johnny Winter's passing and sends best wishes to his family and bandmates. Johnny Winter was one of the world's greatest guitarists, and we were looking forward to having him along with the rest of the Rock 'N' Blues Fest... The good news is that the Rock N' Blues Fest show will go on Aug. 2 as scheduled as a Tribute to Johnny Winter – and it is certain to be an amazing show”

For more information about the 67th Maine Lobster Festival, visit them online, where information about the Rock 'N' Blues Fest tour can also be found.

Editorial Director Holly S. Edwards can be reached at hollyedwards@penbaypilot.com or 706-6655.