Kip Winger Reflects on ’90s Backlash and Receiving Apologies from Metallica and Mike Judge: ‘It Was a Rough Time’

Kip Winger, best known as the frontman of the band Winger, recently opened up about the challenges he faced during the ’90s backlash against hair metal, as well as the apologies he received from Metallica and Mike Judge. Despite the hardships, Winger, now 62, has successfully reinvented himself as a Grammy-nominated classical composer.

In a candid interview, Winger admitted to a pivotal mistake with his band’s second album, acknowledging that they were misrepresented and should have delayed its release. Reflecting on his persona during the hair metal era, Winger confessed to embracing the theatricality and glamor but ultimately facing backlash for it.

Winger’s journey as a musician has been marked by his deep passion for music theory and classical composers, such as Debussy and Ravel. Despite his success in the hair metal scene, Winger felt conflicted about his image and musical abilities, especially when faced with criticism from unexpecteԀ sources like Beavis & Butt-Head and Metallica’s Lars Ulrich.

The turning point came when Metallica’s James Hetfield reached out to apologize for past actions, acknowledging the unfair treatment Winger received. While Winger appreciates the gesture, he still awaits an apology from Ulrich for the infamous dаrt-throwing incident depicted in Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters” video.

Similarly, Winger was able to resolve the Stewart T-shirt controversy with Mike Judge, creator of Beavis & Butt-Head. Despite the initial oversight, Judge sought permission for future use of the Winger logo, demonstrating a willingness to make amends.

Winger’s journey from ’80s heartthrob to Grammy-nominated classical composer is a testament to his resilience and dedication to his craft. Despite the challenges and setbacks, Winger remаins grateful for the opportunity to pursue his passion and create music that resonates deeply with audiences.

As he continues to compose and perform, Winger embraces his unique path and finds fulfillment in his late-in-life symphonic success. Despite never feeling like he belonged to the “cool club” of rock stars, Winger’s journey serves as a reminder that vindication can come in unexpecteԀ and deeply satisfying ways.