BIO

John Nitzinger, a Texas legend, has been a worldwide force behind rock and roll since the ‘70’s. His song writing style is unique and diversified. He is known for his contribution to the development of the signature sound of “Texas Rock and Blues”. 

Proof of his Texas legendary status, Nitzinger was one of the first four artists to be inducted into Buddy Magazine’s Texas Tornado’s Hall of Fame in 1978, “as a Texas Tornado of Guitar, one of the best musicians in Texas, perhaps in the world.”

In the mid-1960s, Nitzinger began his career with his band, The Barons, releasing several singles before breaking up.    In 1968, Nitzinger recorded two singles, "Plastic Window" and "Life Of John Doe", which were produced by T Bone Burnett. 

During the ‘70’s, John wrote half of five albums with the rock band, Bloodrock. He was awarded a Gold Album from Capitol Records for “Bloodrock 2” and was soon signed to Capitol on a solo venture.  Two classics were released; the self titled “Nitzinger” and “Nitzinger One Foot In History”.   The hit single “Louisiana Cockfight” is considered to be a classic and to this day is covered by many musicians.

John took to touring his solo albums and shared the stage with legendary artists such as, Leon Russell, BB King, Sly & The Family Stone and Freddie King. Moving on internationally, he performed at the Mar Y Sol International Pop Festival in Puerto Rico with world renowned artists such as The Allman Brothers Band, Alice Cooper, BB King, The J. Geils Band, The Mahavishnu Orchestra with John McLaughlin, Emerson Lake & Palmer, among others. John’s classic, “Jelly Roll Blues” stole the show and became an instant hit for Atlantic Records.

In 1976, John signed with 20th Century Fox and music mogul, Russ Regan to produce Nitzinger’s album, “Live Better Electrically”.  This album reached the charts with two hit singles, “Are You With Me” and “Yellow Dog”.

In 1980, Carl Palmer broke away from Emerson Lake and Palmer to form a new group, 1PM, which included John as a major song writer and guitarist. They signed to Areola Europe Records and released the single “Dynamite”, increasing John’s popularity in the overseas market.

In 1982, John joined forces with Alice Cooper on the “Special Forces” international and USA tours as guitarist. After touring, John wrote, with Alice Cooper, the album “Zipper Catches Skin”. The album was released on Warner Bros. Records featuring John’s “I Like Girls”, a great success in Europe and Asia.

With his return from the road, John released an album on the label of Record Heaven, “Going Back To Texas”. This album contains thirteen of his classic songs such as, “Louisiana Cockfight”, “Jelly Roll Blues”, “Yellow Dog”, “L.A. Texas Boy”, and “Control”.

In 2007 on his indy label, he finally released his long awaited “Kiss Of The Mudman” CD, a testament to his trials and tribulations and has been said to be some his best work.  The album was picked up by SPV Records in Germany, then in later years, on BMG Records.

John hit the road again for a brief European tour performing at the Tenth Annual Sweden Rock Festival as well as appearing on European television, radio and at exclusive club dates. He was invited again to perform at the 2010 Annual Sweden Rock Festival in Europe and performed a solo act at the Festival's very first acoustic tent.  Multitudes of fans reinforced his popularity in Europe.   Due to popular demand, he continues to receive invitations for a European tour.

In 2008, John was awarded Fort Worth Weekly’s Hall Of Fame music award. 

2012 was the release of his DVD Documentary Feature, "Nitzinger-Tears From There To Here", a Clinton Rawls film.  Executive Producer Andy Anderson and Produced by John and Judy Nitzinger.    Other 2012 and 2013 projects included writing twelve songs that were recorded on two separate new releases:   "Bloodrock 2013", with Jim Rutledge (Bloodrock) featured on vocals and "Revenge", with Dave Evans (former AC/DC vocalist) featured on vocals.

MIG Records has released the DVD of the live show recorded in 2002 by Rockpalast, and aired by WDR, a German television broadcast.

in 2024, John was nominated and voted to be inducted into the Texas Music Legends Hall of Fame.  "The Texas Music Legends Hall of Fame, which is under the banner of the Texas Songwriters Association International, was created to recognize and honor the music industry professionals that help shape and make the Texas music community the fertile unique landscape that it is."  

Giving back has become an essential part of Johnny’s life through teaching. While going through all of his experiences and working on his album, John began Nitzinger’s Music Factory teaching children and adults to play instruments, sing and write their original songs.  Nitzinger’s Rock Camp was held various times over the years for inner city children needing direction.  Originality, spirituality and staying clean and sober are clear messages he stressed to his students.   

www.nitzinger.com