Are you sure about Johnny Winter and the drugs? I thought he had cleaned up. I remember reading somewhere that he is ill with a disease related to being albino. I know that albinism often leads to poor vision and blindness, which could explain why he was led on stage and played sitting down.
Best blues today
Forgot to mention IMO the best blues guitarist out there today is Buddy Whittington. Check out his work with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers. He plays a Strat straight through a Dr.Z MAZ Senior with no effects! Try that all you distortion boys, and try to get your expression across. I heard a mention of Johnny Winter and no doubt one of the best but I saw him last year and it was pitifull. He had to be walked on stage by two men holding him up and then did the whole show sitting down. Just kind of jammed with himself and the band followed. Obviously still on the smack.