Remembering Winnie Winston

[Stephen Gambrell]

Even though I didn't know Winnie, like so many of us,
I spent my first few years wearing out the book. His contribution goes on. I've recommended the book many times.
For those of you who knew him, is there any insight into why he chose not to have a treatment for the prostate cancer? I'm currently dealing with it myself, so it's of particular interest.
Thanks. You can respond by email if you like.

Joe, Winnie was a great believer in holostic/homeopatic medicine. He was extremely knowledgable in those areas, and chose some extremely unorthodox methods of treatment.
I believe, towards the end, he did seek "conventional treatment," but by then, it was too late.
Winnie and I got to be great frieds during his last year or so. Now, I know that i'm a hack wannabe, so I try to introduce myself again, when I talk to a person of Winnie's fame----And I've kept ALL our emails, where he told me things he wouldn't have told just anybody. So I started an email to him by saying, "I know you don't remember me..."
And he replied,"of COURSE I remember you, dumbass! I've got cancer, not Alzheimer's!!!"
Classic Winnie response. And I was moved to tears when a Homeopathic magazine asked me to write a brief article on Winnie, after he'd passed. Man, I miss him!
Off-topic a little bit, Joe, but your playing on "Midwest Country" amazes me. I know how hard it can be, backing up people you don't know. We all do.
But you do it so well! Great player!

[Herb Steiner]

Winnie was a member of the SGHOF Committee, so chosen because of his knowledge of the history of steel guitar, his intellect, and his involvement in the industry. I am honored to have served with him in that capacity and to have been his friend for about 25 years.

[Mike Perlowin RIP]

L to R. Tom Morrell, Jimmy Day, Winnie, Me, Herb Steiner. Mike Johnstone took the picture.