Born in Beaumont, Texas on this day in 1946, Edgar Holland Winter, the singer, keyboardist, guitarist, saxophonist and percussionist, best known as the founder of The Edgar Winter Group, turns 77. A child prodigy who achieved international success early on, Edgar has found an audience in every major entertainment medium- music, film, and television. A prolific writer, Winter's music encompasses many different genres, including rock, jazz, blues, and pop. In the early '70s, Edgar formed the "Edgar Winter Group." The legendary band created such hits as the number one single "Frankenstein," and the ever-popular "Free Ride." A musical innovator, Edgar was the first artist to feature a synthesizer as the main instrument in a song. Over the past couple of decades, Edgar Winter songs have been featured in the soundtracks of over 25 feature films. He has produced two Grammy-winning albums, along with earning numerous nominations. In 1988, he was inducted into the "Blue's Hall of Fame."
In his honor, watch a profile of one of Texas' greatest musicians (above) and some classic performances (below).