_Photo: Dino Perrucci_

Gov’t Mule’s show on Friday night in Apple Valley, MN came following the news of blues legend Johnny Winter’s passing. To pay homage to the guitarist, Mule opened their show with a pair of takes dedicated to Winter including “Good Morning Little Schoolgirl” and “Be Careful with a Fool,” the first time the latter was played by Mule.

Winter and Warren Haynes have collaborated several times with the most recent time coming in New Orleans during Jazz Fest week this year when Mule welcomed a number of guests—Winter included.

Warren Haynes posted a statement to his Facebook page following the news of Winter’s passing:

I am saddened to hear of the passing of Johnny Winter. I grew up at a time when there was a lot of great guitar-based music and Johnny was one of my first guitar heroes and a huge influence. He was an influence of every guitar player of my generation, consequently if you were a guitarist from a younger generation you were influenced by Johnny Winter whether you knew it or not. He was one of the few guitarists who created a style of playing that everyone who came later recognizes. I treasured the few times we’ve played together over the years, and I was proud to call him my friend. He will be missed. -Warren