Frankenstein – Edgar Winter Group | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: Pop (#1); 1973
Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne
After a career in and out of bands with older brother Johnny, Edgar Winter’s final assault on the peak of commercial success began when he formed the Edgar Winter Group.
Rounding out the quartet were Dan Hartman on bass and vocals, Ronnie Montrose on lead guitar, and Chuck Ruff on drums. In the producer’s chair for the recording of They Only Come Out At Night sat guitar slinger Rick Derringer, whose McCoys hit #1 with Hang On Sloopy in 1965.
Rick loved an instrumental number by Edgar called The Double Drum Solo, which Johnny band used as an introduction to Edgar’s in-concert solo set. The “live” version was deemed too long for vinyl so out came the razor blade.
The master tape was shortened and the tune renamed Frankenstein, because of all the cuts made to create the single. Hidden away on the flip side of Hangin’ Around as a way to get songwriter Edgar some royalty money from single sales, Frankenstein ultimately drew the attention of radio deejays who spun it all the way to the top.
This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.
Produced by:
- Rick Derringer
Lyrics Written by:
- Edgar Winter
Ed Osborne
Hi. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs).