Winger

Winger is an American rock band formed in New York City in 1987. The band achieved commercial success during the late 1980s and early 1990s with the albums "Winger" and "In the Heart of the Young", which were certified platinum in the United States, and singles including "Seventeen", "Headed for a Heartbreak" and "Miles Away". In 1990, Winger was nominated for an American Music Award for "Best New Heavy Metal Band". Following the release of their third album "Pull" in 1993, the band's popularity declined in the context of changing musical trends, and they disbanded in 1994.

In 2001, Winger reunited and toured in the United States and Canada. The band's 1993 touring lineup, minus Paul Taylor but including John Roth, recorded the album "IV" in 2006 and toured in support of it. Subsequent releases included "Karma" in 2009, "Better Days Comin'" in 2014, and "Seven" in 2023.

The first known recording under the name Winger appeared in 1980 on the KAZY compilation "Thunder on the Mountain", featuring brothers Kip, Nate, and Paul Winger and Peter Fletcher. Paul Taylor and Kip Winger had previously worked together while recording and touring with Alice Cooper.

The debut album "Winger" was released on 10 August 1988 through Atlantic Records and achieved platinum certification in the United States and gold in Japan and Canada. It reached number 21 on the Billboard 200 and remained on the chart for 63 weeks. Singles from the album included "Madalaine", "Seventeen", "Headed for a Heartbreak" and "Hungry". Their second album, "In the Heart of the Young", reached 1.5× platinum in the U.S. and gold in Japan, with singles including "Can't Get Enuff", "Miles Away" and "Easy Come Easy Go". Following a 13-month world tour, Paul Taylor left the band. "Pull", recorded in 1992–1993 as a three-piece band, received generally positive reviews but did not achieve the commercial success of previous albums. John Roth joined the band for the subsequent tour.

After the 1994 breakup, Kip Winger pursued a solo career, while Reb Beach performed with Dokken, Alice Cooper, and later joined Whitesnake. Other members worked as session musicians.

In 2001, Winger recorded "On the Inside" for "The Very Best of Winger" and toured with Poison. The band reformed in 2006 without Paul Taylor to record "IV" and tour Europe. In 2008, they performed in a benefit concert for survivors of the Station nightclub fire. "Karma" was released in 2009, followed by "Better Days Comin'" in 2014.

Winger continued touring in the United States into the 2020s, with some interruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Their seventh album, "Seven", was released on 5 May 2023 with the single "Proud Desperado". The band launched a farewell tour in 2025, concluding on 31 August 2025 at the Rainbow Bar and Grill in Los Angeles, though additional shows have been announced for 2026.

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