Winterhawk (band)

Winterhawk
OriginSan Francisco California, U.S.
GenresHeavy Metal
Hard Rock
Years active1978–1985
LabelsMother Earth
Don Giovanni
Past membersNik Alexander
Alfonso Kolb
Frank J. Diaz de Leon
Frankie Joe
Doug Love
Gordon Campbell
Jon Gibson[1]

Winterhawk was an American heavy metal band formed in 1978 in San Francisco, California.[2] Fronted by lead vocalist, lead guitarist and songwriter Nik "Winterhawk" Alexander (a Cree musician), the band released two albums via Mother Earth records. Their debut album, Electric Warriors (1979), was produced by Tom Bee.

Their second album, Dog Soldier (1980), included drums and backing vocals by blue-eyed soul musician Jon Gibson (who went on to have success in the contemporary Christian music industry). Both Electric Warriors and Dog Soldier were remastered and reissued on Don Giovanni Records in 2021.[3]

Winterhawk was committed to a native anti-drug movement, pioneering an abstinence-through-music platform that ran parallel to the straight edge hardcore movement.[4] Winterhawk performed in the 1983 US Festival and has opened for Tina Turner, Santana, Country Joe and the Fish, Steve Miller and Van Halen. The band separated in 1984. [5]

Due to cancer, Alexander died on July 5, 2017.[6]

  1. ^ "Jon Gibson - Songwriting-vocals-producing - Las Vegas - SoundBetter". SoundBetter via Spotify. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  2. ^ "Primitive Origins: Winterhawk's 'Electric Warriors'". 14 October 2021.
  3. ^ "1970s indigenous hard rock band Winterhawk reissuing albums on Don Giovanni". BrooklynVegan. August 25, 2021.
  4. ^ "The Story of Native American Metal Band Winterhawk". 25 October 2021.
  5. ^ "Don Giovanni Records - Artists - Winterhawk". Don Giovanni Records. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  6. ^ "An Electric Warrior Journeys Home: Entertainer Nik Winterhawk Alexander Walks On". Indian Country Today. July 10, 2017. Retrieved July 13, 2022.