Winger

Winger is an American hard rock band from New York, formed in 1987 and active since then. The group is associated with aor and hard rock, and records for Atlantic Recording Corporation.

Early success

The band becomes widely known in the late 1980s and early 1990s with the albums Winger and In the Heart of the Young. Both albums achieve major commercial success in the United States, and the first also reaches platinum status in Japan and Canada. Winger reaches number 21 on the Billboard 200 and stays on the chart for 63 weeks. Singles from this period include “Madalaine”, “Seventeen”, “Headed for a Heartbreak”, and “Hungry”, while In the Heart of the Young includes “Can’t Get Enuff”, “Miles Away”, and “Easy Come Easy Go”.

Band members and changes

The group’s membership includes Kip Winger, Reb Beach, Rod Morgenstein, Paul Taylor and John Roth. Kip Winger and Paul Taylor previously work together while recording and touring with Alice Cooper. Taylor leaves after a 13-month world tour, and the band later records Pull as a three-piece. John Roth joins for the later touring lineup and appears on IV.

Career developments

Winger receives an American Music Award nomination in 1990 for Best New Heavy Metal Band. After releasing Pull in 1993, the band’s profile declines amid changing musical trends and it breaks up in 1994. Kip Winger then pursues a solo career, while Reb Beach works with Dokken and Alice Cooper before joining Whitesnake. Other members also work as session musicians.

The band reunites in 2001, records “On the Inside” for The Very Best of Winger, and tours with Poison. In 2006 it reforms without Paul Taylor to record IV and tour Europe. Later releases include Karma in 2009, Better Days Comin' in 2014, and Seven in 2023, which includes “Proud Desperado”.

Later activity

Winger performs a benefit concert in 2008 for survivors of the Station nightclub fire and continues touring in the United States into the 2020s, with some interruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The group also launches a farewell tour in 2025, with additional shows announced for 2026.

Discography

Studio albums: Winger (1988), In the Heart of the Young (1990), Pull (1993), IV (2006), Karma (2009), Better Days Comin' (2014), Seven (2023).