Legend Steve Winwood Was In 3 FAMOUS Bands Before Blowing Up As A Solo Artist!

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Legend Steve Winwood Was In 3 FAMOUS Bands Before Blowing Up As A Solo Artist! | Professor of Rock

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The story of Steve Winwood From the Spencer Davis Group to Blind Faith to Traffic and Solo. From child prodigy, to a Hall of Fame rock n’ roll troubadour, Steve Winwood has shared his elite gift & passion with a lifetime of timeless R&B, Folk, Jazz, Progressive Rock, and pop classics with the world. , Steve Winwood truly brought us all a higher love of the arts because of his boundless gifts. This is the story of his career and his top 5 songs. including Higher Love and While You See a chance. One of the greatest voices ever.
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Reflect on a time you’ve been stunned with the talent of a precocious youngster that leaves you with the impression that you just witnessed future greatness. That was exactly how audiences felt when seeing the performance of a diminutive child prodigy in the late 50s and early 60s, named Stevie Winwood. Famed producer and founder of Island records Chris Blackwell said that hearing Winwood was like Ray Charles on helium.
Winwood was born into a very musical family in Handsworth, Birmingham, England.He began playing the piano at the age of 4- mimicking 30s and 40s dance ditties that his father fancied.
By the time he was 8 years old, Stevie Winwood was already playing with his Dad & his older brother, Muff, in the Ron Atkinson Band. At 12, he was smuggled into pubs to play the piano with Muff and his friends.
The\ piano had to be turned backwards on the stage, so that Stevie’s back was to the audience, to hide the fact that he was well under the legal age to be playing in a pub.
As a teenager in the Birmingham, England R&B scene, Winwood played a Hammond C3 Organ, and was called upon to back up such luminaries as John Lee Hooker, BB King, Chuck Berry, and Bo Diddley. Winwood modeled his magnificent singing style after the aforementioned Ray Charles- developing a high tenor vocal range. Stevie loved Ray’s phrasing and his ability to segue effortlessly from one genre to the next, a skill that Winwood perfected as a teenager.
The great Billy Joel recalls the moment he first saw Steve Winwood perform: “I thought he was the greatest singer- this skinny little English kid singing Ray Charles.”
Joel has also called Steve Winwood his “favorite piano player,” which is a huge compliment coming from the “Piano Man” himself.
Winwood made a welcome appearance on Billy Joel’s 1986 album the Bridge, playing the Hammond B3 on the song getting closer
Winwood joined the Spencer Davis Group at the age of 14.
Spencer Davis heard Stevie imitating legendary blues singer Jimmy Reed, and couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
After a 3 year run with the Spencer Davis Group, Winwood teamed with guitar hero Eric Clapton and the eccentric virtuoso Ginger Baker in ’67, for a one-off project called Eric Clapton and the Powerhouse. In the spring of ’67, Winwood met musicians Jim Capaldi, Chris Wood, and Dave Mason, at the Elbow Room, a club in Aston, Birmingham.

Пікірлер: 661

@ProfessorofRock 3 жыл бұрын

Poll: Steve Winwood has one of the all time great voices, having said that, who are your top five choices for greatest voices in rock and pop history?

@jorgerobles297 3 жыл бұрын

Here are my top 5. 1. Paul Rodgers...so underrated 2. Ann Wilson 3. Rod Stewart 4. Steve Perry 5. David Coverdale

@chucktaivalkoski7240 3 жыл бұрын

Paul McCartney, Freddie Mercury, Steve Perry, Prince & Lou Gramm

@manplusguitar 3 жыл бұрын

David Lee Roth Richard Page Paul Carrack Lou Gramm Freddie Mercury

@craigcrawford6595 3 жыл бұрын

Freddie Mercury Rob Halford Roger Daltry Paul Rodgers Sade

@JPMJPM 3 жыл бұрын

Tori Amos Stevie Nicks Chrissie Hynde Peter Gabriel Freddie Mercury

@tristanharris205 3 жыл бұрын

"The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys" by Traffic is a classic.

@ProfessorofRock 3 жыл бұрын

I agree 100%

@rimmersbryggeri 3 жыл бұрын

Hole in my Shoe is my Favourite.

@texasplumr 3 жыл бұрын

His best work of all time. I don't care about pop hits, chart ratings or Grammys, Low Spark was his best work of all time. Followed by Can't Find My Way Home and Mr. Fantasy. I'm separated generationally from The Professor and didn't really care for much of the music produced in the 80s and my son who is 49 loves the 80s but he was born in 72. So I understand the differences The Professor has in his taste and opinions of what is great and what's not so great or maybe not as great would be more appropriate. And Jackson Browne actually wrote 2 songs about Valerie Carter, who he credits with pulling him from a very dark place emotionally. She also broke his heart but was never dishonest so they remained friends and close until the day that she died. He has done interviews where he talks openly and honestly about her. And speaking of Jackson Browne, if you highlighted his career I guess I missed it. He was at his best when David Lindley was playing with him but he is great when playing with anybody. IMNSHO

@randyhayward9880 3 жыл бұрын

@@texasplumr I agree with you 100% on your take on the Low Spark of High Heeled Boys.

@roxannemoser 3 жыл бұрын

Dear Mr Fantasy is my favorite Traffic

@siongheeleong8078 3 жыл бұрын

My number 1 Steve Winwood song is "Can't Find My Way Home" when he was with Blind Faith. Succinct lyrics that say a lot more than what many songs struggle to say and with a vocal performance that's just goosebump inducing.

@ProfessorofRock 3 жыл бұрын

I love it as well. It's definitely in my top 10.

@BeeBumper 3 жыл бұрын

Blind faith was a legendary group for sure

@kirkfabrin4839 3 жыл бұрын

yep. great song! saw Clapton play it live in1990 with Nathan east on lead vocal! the vocal is s bit high for Clapton...

@potownrob 3 жыл бұрын

+1 - especially love the acoustic version in the castle as shown in this video. Blind Faith and Cream (I know Steve wasn’t in Cream) put out some amazing songs.

@robertwood4681 2 жыл бұрын

I'd go for the Hyde Park version which features the most amazing lyrical drumming from Ginger.

@gregrichey840 Ай бұрын

I think "Can't find my way back home " is my favorite song. Steve Winwood has given us a lot to love.

@skiprockjr.6881 3 жыл бұрын

It's amazing Gimme Some Lovin' was sung by a teenager. Dude's voice sounded the same in his 40's and 50's.

@Slammy555 3 жыл бұрын

A friend described his voice as a "an old man's voice".

@ProfessorofRock 3 жыл бұрын

I know! Right?

@timmmahhhh 3 жыл бұрын

The emotions and inflictions in his voice here are amazing for anyone at any age, and to have mastered this at 16 he was truly a prodigy.

@mangrove 2 жыл бұрын

Alex Chilton gave me that impression, too.

@1Bearsfan Жыл бұрын

@@Slammy555 This! I love telling the "young'ins" these days how old he was after I first play them the song. My niece said,"He sounds like a grown ass man."

@GeoHvl 2 жыл бұрын

Steve Winwood is a magical force. I lost my wife in May 1987 due to a car wreck. Just a few weeks before we bought this album and love to dance to Higher Lover. After her death, I played this song untold amount of times. Every time now when I hear this song I smile at the times we had. Nine great years.

@jhopper007 3 жыл бұрын

Please interview Mr Winwood while he is still with us.

@ProfessorofRock 3 жыл бұрын

Trying!

@JenX_1973 3 жыл бұрын

My dad sang in a band when he was in high school, and I asked my mom what dad sounded like when he sang. She said he sounded like Steve Winwood! I heard my dad singing once, singing along to the radio while working in his garage, and he does sound like Steve Winwood!

@ProfessorofRock 3 жыл бұрын

Very cool! Thank you for sharing that!

@chrisbrowning6102 3 жыл бұрын

"Valerie" has always been a favorite of mine, but I had never heard the backstory. Thanks, Professor!

@WestVirginiaPatriot 3 жыл бұрын

Have you heard “Valerie Loves Me” by Material Issue? Total jam big time!

@jaytrace1006 3 жыл бұрын

“Higher Love” was easily his best. The addition of Chaka Khan was icing on the cake, my friend. Myself, if I could squeeze “Finer Things’ in there as well, I would. Winwood’s keyboards in those two songs, as well as “Valerie” absolutely force me to blow the dust off of my air keyboards and pretend to play along.

@markmiwurdz202 3 жыл бұрын

@Jay Trace. May I say that Steve Winwood is one of the few keyboard players who really knows how to incorporate the synthesiser into his songs. Check out "While You See A Chance" and "Help Me Angel". I am sure I read that the Roland keyboard company used a Steve Winwood "patch" on their production models after they heard his work on "Arc Of A Diver". Apparently Steve Winwood (aged around 14 years old) used to practice on the local church organ where he grew up in Great Barr, Birmingham U.K. Stay safe and well.

@davidellis5141 3 жыл бұрын

Can't Find My Way Home is my favorite vocal of his.

@ProfessorofRock 3 жыл бұрын

It's amazingly poignant .

@nelrock3641 3 жыл бұрын

I was surprised only an Honorable Mention. Presence Of The Lord...not mentioned at all. :-O

@nolongerthere 3 жыл бұрын

No doubt! And he played everything on Night Train, another all-time great song.

@ponzo1967 3 жыл бұрын

"While you see Chance" came out in 1981 I think and I've loved it every year since. I never grow tired of that inspirational little piece of work.

@dennislarson9560 3 жыл бұрын

Even Ray Charles said that no one could do "Georgia On My Mind" better than Steve Winwood.

@michaelhorning6014 3 жыл бұрын

Gimme Some Lovin' is on my shortlist for greatest rock 'n roll recordings of all time.

@ProfessorofRock 3 жыл бұрын

No kidding. It still sounds amazing.

@richdiddens4059 3 жыл бұрын

It's such a shame that the only/ most common live video of it is from the Finnish TV show. Their voices were worn out and cracking and it was a very low energy, lack luster performance.

@dougpeters1625 3 жыл бұрын

Stevie Winwood is such a profound talent! It is impossible to overstate the career he has had. Thank you POR for all that you do.

@ProfessorofRock 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching!

@jeannemacaluso162 3 жыл бұрын

Love Winwood’s acoustic version of John Barleycorn (Must Die).

@seldomseensmith4684 3 жыл бұрын

Without a doubt the number 1 song that Steve Winwood preformed, for me - Can't Find My Way Home by Blind Faith. Just an AMAZING band, wish they'd stayed together for at least a follow up album.

@adolfsson2705 3 жыл бұрын

My 3 top winwoods songs.. Roll with it Valerie Higher love So fresh and timeless songs

@ProfessorofRock 3 жыл бұрын

You can't go wrong with those. Thanks for watching

@stephenhanft1226 3 жыл бұрын

I have always enjoyed Steve Winwood's music. He had success when he was very young, made an impact in several great bands, and then re-invented himself with a great solo career. His longevity in the music business has been very impressive. From the 60s through the 80s, he has consistently recorded quality songs.

@travismiles5885 3 жыл бұрын

I saw Steve open up for Tom Petty about 7 or 8 years ago. What a show! Ive always been a fan. I'm a Man is a total jam!

@ProfessorofRock 3 жыл бұрын

Steve and Tom. Two of the greatest talents in the universe in my opinion.

@MyName-pl7zn 3 жыл бұрын

Stars aligned just right to give us Steve! My five favs. 5 Mr. Fantasy 4 can't find my way home 3 gimme some lovin 2 higher love 1 when you see a chance That's was a tough one professor, so many fantastic songs, great installment!!

@sonofagunn1967 3 жыл бұрын

Adam, thank you so much for doing this one on Steve Winwood. He is one of my all time favorite singers. Love his voice and his style. I live in Nashville, TN and Steve has a home here, as well as London. I was blessed to do some work for him at his house for a couple years back in 2002-03. He is such a genuinely nice person. His little girl was about 5 at the time and always had me sit down and have “tea” with her. She was such a sweetheart. Now, Lily is on her way to having a music career of her own and she is very talented. Love her version of Higher Love. Wonderful people. Blessed by God.

@christophers5510 3 жыл бұрын

*my favs from SW:* *"Holding On"* *"Dont You Know What the Night Can Do"* *"Still in the Game"* *"Theres a River"*

@Harry-Har 3 жыл бұрын

Adam, you're the modern day Casey Kasem. I see and hear the same energy when you talk about the music and artists.

@robster7316 3 жыл бұрын

Steve's been around forever and has given us so many great tunes over the decades. So versatile-he plays multiple instruments and has a voice to match his amazing musical talent. Saw him open for Tom Petty a few years back and he played for an hour to a standing ovation! IMHO, he's never truly has gotten his due.

@aplleyva 3 жыл бұрын

One of My Top 3 Songs from Mr Winwood

@chrismcrouch 3 жыл бұрын

I think all the time about this very issue, and wrote a lengthy comment with my thoughts on why. Sadly, I think he is unlikely to get the recognition he deserves until he passes away.

@janet4498 3 жыл бұрын

One of my earliest memories with buying music is being in downtown Pittsburgh with my mom when I was a kid and going past National Record Mart. I begged her to buy me one thing in NRM and I picked the Roll with It cassette by Steve Winwood, which I listened to endlessly ("Shining Song" and "One More Morning" should have been U.S. singles and hits). Later on, I developed a true appreciation for Steve Winwood as an artist when I learned more about his impressive career.

@ProfessorofRock 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing!

@cgtower8860 3 жыл бұрын

One of my favorite teachers from high school caught me off guard once when I asked her "How was traffic?" to which she replied, "Better with Steve Winwood." I never forgot that clever come back and The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys became one of my go to albums. I quickly became consumed with Steve Winwood's music and have many great memories growing up listening to his pop era along with the progressive rock of Traffic and the supergroups he helped anchor. Thank you for cataloging the sound track of our youth.

@kirkwoerner1107 3 жыл бұрын

"Every Mother's Son" is my #1. His vocal is phenomenal, and the song is moving.

@BluesDivinity Жыл бұрын

That song, “Til the end of time” and “no time to live” are on my top list

@cjeff6916 3 жыл бұрын

Definitely one of the most underrated rock legend, I'm simply shocked at why he hasn't been inducted into the Rock and roll Hall. He has such an unique voice. I'm totally in agreement in Higher Love as his no. 1 song. You missed Don't you know what the night can do, love this song. Thanks for doing a video on my favourite solo artist. Get Stevie into the hall as a solo artist!!!!

@HubertofLiege 3 жыл бұрын

RRHOF is a joke

@kenperk9854 3 жыл бұрын

The 70s music scene was so crowded, it was hard for new acts to break through. Many 70s artists could not break through until the early 80s.

@cjeff6916 3 жыл бұрын

@@kenperk9854 but Steve Winwood wasn't a 70s artist, he joined Spencer Davis Group as a teenager in the early 60s.

@user-po3ir2tx5z Ай бұрын

Winwood was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Traffic in 2004.

@cjeff6916 Ай бұрын

@@user-po3ir2tx5z yes, but what I meant was he hasn't been inducted as a solo artist.

@vespadano1979 Ай бұрын

"I can light the night up with my soul on fire. I can make the sun shine from pure desire." Best lyric ever.

@spacemissing 3 жыл бұрын

What really sucks is that I keep forgetting Steve Winwood exists, then I hear one of his songs and think "Oh, yeah, he's great. I should listen to some of his other stuff", then I don't do it.

@jen_alanfromchicago53 3 жыл бұрын

The Blues Brothers soundtrack is what got me into SDG, then Traffic, Cream, Blind Faith etc. Crazy how having 1 oddball soundtrack in the '80's (13yrs old at that time) can take you on a life long journey not for just tracking down the originators of covered songs but also new artists too you that weren't played on the radio.

@shoogerkane 3 жыл бұрын

Pretty sure he wasn't in Cream, but that's just a minor quibble. did he do anything with them that I don't know about?

@jen_alanfromchicago53 3 жыл бұрын

@@shoogerkane well traffic intros Eric Clapton then onto cream,

@kellylaflash1016 3 жыл бұрын

🎵 "I'll be back in the high life again ..."🎵 - Life has knocked me down a number of times. I play that song when I need a reminder that things will get better again. 🙃

@shoogerkane 3 жыл бұрын

I could list a top 5 of only his Traffic songs, but that wouldn't be representative of his overall contributions to rock, soul and pop. Here's my Top 5 of Steve Winwood: 1. Can't Find My Way Home - Blind Faith 2. Dear Mr. Fantasy - Traffic 3. While You See A Chance - Winwood solo 4. Had To Cry Today - Blind Faith 5. Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys - Traffic Honorable mentions: Valerie and Finer Things - Winwood solo. But honestly, many of his other songs from his solo career are great. He would definitely get my vote for RnR Hall of Fame as a solo artist.

@islandbee 3 жыл бұрын

Higher Love was so huge back then. I remember watching the Grammys and seeing it sweep up awards. Great year for radio.

@injuhneer 2 жыл бұрын

As a college student I took a summer trip to Scandinavia. After weeks of buses, ferries, and trains I needed to drive a car. I rented a car and drove out of Helsinki. After clearing the city I reached into my backpack, popped the mix tape out of my Walkman then popped it into the deck of the car. And what was queued up? Higher Love. Each time I hear the song my mind is transported back to that drive on the E12 from Helsinki to Toijala.

@loveandfaith6517 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you! so appreciated! I remember Casey Kasem's top 40 countdown, that was one of the highlights of my teen years and beyond 🎶

@ProfessorofRock 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@bradkrekelberg8624 3 жыл бұрын

Man, I love hearing all these stories and about the different connections. It's really incredible what all he's done. It blows my mind how young he was!

@ProfessorofRock 3 жыл бұрын

He's done a lot over the years.

@dwaynewladyka577 3 жыл бұрын

I saw Steve Winwood twice live, as the opening act for Tom Petty. Steve Winwood is my favorite all around British musician. Cheers! ✌️

@samanthab1923 3 жыл бұрын

Winwood opening for Petty? Sacrilege!

@ProfessorofRock 3 жыл бұрын

Cheers to you!

@btm380 3 жыл бұрын

I saw him open for Petty at the L.A. Forum. His live sound was 1000% better than Petty's.

@dwaynewladyka577 3 жыл бұрын

@@samanthab1923 Not in my opinion. I thought it was a great concert. I like both artists equally.

@fsinjin60 3 жыл бұрын

Saw that tour. Actually made me appreciate Tom who I didn’t care about

@Xsploor 3 жыл бұрын

I saw Steve Winwood in concert in San Jose, CA back in 2014 when he was the opening act for Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers on their Hypnotic Eye tour. Can you imagine? One Rock n Roll Hall of Fame act opening up for one Rock n Roll Mt. Rushmore act... unbelievable! That was a great night. Sadly, Petty would pass away just three years later. Glad I decided to drive the hour down from San Francisco to catch this concert.

@FatherAndTeacherTV 3 жыл бұрын

Steve Winwood is truly one of the greats. Interestingly enough, I don't think he gets talked about nowhere near enough. But he is so gifted. He can play the keys, but I loved when he would trade licks on the guitar with Clapton. On another note, "Higher Love" sounded so good from the 80s. Great voice with a great, upbeat tune!

@ProfessorofRock 3 жыл бұрын

Very true. Hope you are well my good friend!

@FatherAndTeacherTV 3 жыл бұрын

@@ProfessorofRock And I hope that you are doing well too, my friend. I hope that your family is doing well during this pandemic too.

@AmericanskyEnglish 3 жыл бұрын

My dad passed this year. I thought going back home, driving down I-5 in WA state, back to the small town where I grew up, would be super emotion and tough at times. It wasn't... until a Steve Winwood song came on the radio. It was a song I'd heard 500 times driving that same freeway, a song I remember from my youth, growing up there. While you see a chance. That one verse... when that old gray wind is blowing and there's nothing left worth knowing, now it's time you should be going.... that just hit me, and something happened in that moment.

@wonder6789 3 жыл бұрын

His work on the albums "Blind Faith" (1969) and "John Barleycorn" (1970) is among my favorite things ever.

@allthings2allmen 4 ай бұрын

Always loved Winwood! Amazing energy! Great voice, magnificent talent!

@jollyrodgers7272 3 жыл бұрын

I can't have just one Steve Winwood Favorite. Impossible - I have too many moods and Winwood classics to soothe those moods.

@binkey3374 3 жыл бұрын

I went to visit family in Cologne, Germany in 1986 and my aunt played Back in the High Life quite a bit. When I had some time to myself, I broke out the walkman and listened to Talk Talk's The Colour of Spring. I didn't realize until later that I was actually getting a double dose of Winwood, because he played keyboard and organ on that album.

@aplleyva 3 жыл бұрын

@binkey Resto. Peace Mark Hollis

@michaelbasse6424 3 жыл бұрын

Steve Winwoods voice is unmistakable! One of the all time Best rock singers!!

@brianpattison4603 3 жыл бұрын

Higher love, finer things, roll with it ,back in the highlife again and give me good lovin. Great talent and back drop to my adolescence. Thanks 👍 Professor

@ProfessorofRock 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for listening

@brianpattison4603 3 жыл бұрын

@@ProfessorofRock Valerie honorable mention

@brianpattison4603 3 жыл бұрын

@@ProfessorofRock Valerie honorable mention

@pranavsambamurti7746 Ай бұрын

Great job Professor! Steve is my favorite musician of all time, and may be the greatest musician of the 20th Century. Thanks!

@62comet 2 күн бұрын

Just saw him last night in Massachusetts. Amazing. Unfortunately he only did 10 songs. There is so much more. I saw him in the 80s. An hour 45 mins. Amazing.

@daryljay7057 12 күн бұрын

Good post, Professor! There aren't enough superlatives when talking about Steve Winwood. All praise is an understatement. In the late 80s I took my kid brother to see Winwood in Seattle. He had no idea who Steve was, but he was pretty sharp musically. I got double my pleasure listening to great music & seeing my little brother's jaw on the floor! Made a believer out of him fast! Steve started out with 'Gimme Some Lovin' You heard the intro, then BANG, the curtain went DOWN & the Show was on! He had Russ Kunkel with him on drums. Fantastic!

@covatembelmusic 3 жыл бұрын

Steve Winwood's playing his organ inspired me to play with mine.

@wedgeantilles1953 3 жыл бұрын

John Barleycorn Must Die, Can't Find My Way Home, Mr. Fantasy, Gimme Some Lovin', Higher Love!!! I remember riding around with my Dad back in the late 60's, and he had the AM radio blaring, here in DC. In his thickly accented English, he'd be trying to sing along with what was playing on the AM. Among the many great songs of the those years, I remember these Stevie Winwood songs. Higher Love (along with the whole album, "Back in the High Life"), reminds me of my days in the Army. Thanks for the memories, Professor.

@TimmyB1867 3 жыл бұрын

saw Steve Winwood live when he toured with Tom Petty and of course it was amazing. A little sad that a number of people didn't show up for his part of the show, I guess never knowing what they were missing. "Dear Mr. Fantasy" especially was awesome live.

@billlambert3832 3 жыл бұрын

Steve Winwood definitely has one of the greatest voice ever.. From Gimme some Lovin to Higher love to my favorite song by him can’t find my way home! Once again you out did your self by bringing another Artist from the great music past to The forefront of another great Conversation 👓🎩

@ProfessorofRock 3 жыл бұрын

He's one of my favorite voices.

@shawnmcvey7789 3 жыл бұрын

He's also a dangerous pick for karaoke. Prof wasn't kidding about Winwood being a tenor🤣

@manualgearshift4965 3 жыл бұрын

Another song I won’t listen to the same again

@wordkyle 2 жыл бұрын

A fantastic tribute to one of my favorite vocalists, culminating in a fantastic #1, including a video that made Chaka Khan my dream girl. Thanks for this one.

@teedtad2534 9 ай бұрын

If I remember reading Steve Windwood was born in 1948.. " Don't You Know What the Night 🌃🌉 Can Do" was the song that grabbed me! He has a beautiful voice 😍 and Higher Love 😘 was a pretty good song by him .. I think he gross over 200 million total .. Good job bro!!!

@kengoodman7637 2 жыл бұрын

You almost forget how good Steve Winwood is until you hear him sing again.

@chrismcrouch 3 жыл бұрын

I think all the time about Steve Winwood, and wonder why he isn't a bigger part of our cultural dialogue, at least in the US. I just had a conversation with my mom recently about how sad it is that it will likely take his death to get a big outpouring of support and recognition. Which is tragic, because Steve Winwood is one of the greatest talents of the rock era. His organ and guitar chops are outstanding, and of course his voice is legendary. I think there are a couple of major factors as to why he isn't discussed with the same reverence as many of his contemporaries. First and foremost, as you mentioned in your video, it was never his name on the songs. Only a die-hard music junkie would have known that it was Steve Winwood singing and playing organ on those Spencer Davis Group records. Even today, I find that people don't know that he sang Gimme Some Lovin'. Similarly, Traffic and Blind Faith did not prominently feature Winwood's name. If those records, particularly tracks like Gimme Some Lovin' and I'm a Man, had been billed as Steve Winwood, we would be having a very different discussion today. My second suggested reason might be a bit more controversial, but I will stand by it: When Steve Winwood finally started putting out records under his own name, they were not as cool as the records he had done earlier in bands. I don't mean to suggest that they aren't great records--they are. But they lack the edge and bite that made tracks like I'm a Man or Dear Mr. Fantasy great. I'm not even sure you could really call them rock records at all. They were, essentially, adult contemporary records with some crossover pop appeal. Thus, when the mainstream US audience started hearing the name Steve Winwood, it was attached to exquisite, but not very cool, music. You were more likely to hear Valerie or Higher Love in a family sedan than a high school parking lot. Contrast with Winwood's contemporary Eric Clapton, who made a name for himself early as a guitarist, then went on to put out a string of bluesy rock solo albums in the 70s. By the time Clapton went soft, he was already well-known as a rock god. Winwood was not. Sorry for this essay of a comment, but I think and talk about Steve Winwood all the time and I am so glad to see your video celebrating him.

@tammyblackwell499 3 жыл бұрын

Wow!! Traffic was one of my favorite bands, Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys, my 1st favorite song, John Barleycorn must die #2! Dear Mr. Fantasy #3, Valerie #4, Call on Me#5. I was introduced to Traffic when I was about 7yrsold. Was instantly obsessed with the beautiful voice of Stevie. Basically if Stevie sung it I was listening & loving it! I still listen to these song's today, they are in my play list! Before my husband passed away we were in the hospital and he asked me to play Traffic for him (ICU Drs were not happy) but it helped ease his mind. I had to promise that our children would know who Traffic was & of course who Stevie's other bands were. I promise you that every day our children heard at least one song daily from the incomparable Stevie Winwood! Our daughter is out of the house and married with a child of her own, our son is disabled and he is with me still listening to Stevie & Traffic! Thank you for the wonderful memories professor!

@victorlewis3251 Жыл бұрын

Picking Steve Winwood's five best songs is like choosing your five favorite sunsets. Can't be done. Each song, each sunset reminds you of another one equally as great. Also, a shout out to you, Professor of Rock. Your commentary perfectly compliments the songs and artists. You are erudite and passionate---loquacious and succinct. What you hint at and leave to our imagination and what you elucidate and expound upon are perfectly balanced. You are an artist in your own right. I'm so glad that I discovered you. 😉

@alisterfolson 3 жыл бұрын

His 'Valerie.' song, epic. The 'Call on Me' remix video, *even better.*

@zzclarke Ай бұрын

"A beautiful ecstasy of sonic intensity"

@chuckcalkins5546 3 жыл бұрын

Steve Winwood is an awesome musician period. Keep up the great work my friend. Three chords and the truth.

@dbott67 3 жыл бұрын

Adam, you are the Stevie Winwood of music history! Keep the videos coming.

@dianaspy6733 3 жыл бұрын

Love Steve Winwood!

@tomrhodes1629 3 жыл бұрын

Professor, you have a wonderful gift for putting the soundtrack of our lives into proper context. "Higher Love" is one of the most important songs ever delivered to the public, as it delivers timeless truths in a delicious manner. And all of these gifts come from the same Source. For what has any man but that which he was given?

@jeffreynolin9339 3 жыл бұрын

Shocked you didn’t mention Winwood’s very best vocal performance on Stomu Yamashita’s 1976 (studio) album ‘Go’, which included Al Di Meola, Michael Shrieve and Klaus Schulze.

@alexchristianmusic 3 жыл бұрын

One of the greatest of all time.

@ProfessorofRock 3 жыл бұрын

I agree 100%

@paulcarr5918 3 жыл бұрын

With as much as he's done, and as great as he's been, I hate to say that he is so underappreciated these days. I would personally rate him right up there with the most talented musicians ever. Didn't he play every instrument on most songs on his solo albums? That live video of Can't Find My Way Home is just amazing...and the video his acoustic version from like 10 years ago in front of a crackling fire is pretty damn great too.

@OneEightZero180 3 жыл бұрын

"Finer Things" was robbed. The opening chords of that song is so, so haunting...that song immediately ties me back to my child hood, and I feel it is Winwood's best. As usual, excellent work. :)

@OneEightZero180 3 жыл бұрын

OH! "And Don't You Know What The Night Can Do". Absolutely brilliant. :D

@michaelrochester48 3 жыл бұрын

I remember a few years ago there was a dance version of “Valerie” that was either by him or by another artist with his samples and that was played so much in dance clubs. Who would’ve thought the mastermind of the band traffic would be a disco hit?

@ProfessorofRock 3 жыл бұрын

I totally remember that!

@moyo6606 2 жыл бұрын

You're thinking of "Call On Me" by Eric Prydz

@timdunn9656 3 жыл бұрын

To this day, his first solo album, Steve Winwood (standing next to the tree), is still one of my all time favorite albums! Let Me Make Something In Your Life is such a touching beautiful song.

@blkbass1958 3 жыл бұрын

Steve Winwood is an awesome talent. My favorites my him are Mr. Fantasy and I Can’t Find My Way Home. Pure Magic.

@miscellaneousmoon327 2 жыл бұрын

For me it's a tie between "Back in the High Life Again" and "The Finer Things" they both make me feel a way that only a few other songs do. I also love "Don't You Know What the Night Can Do" even if it was used in a beer commercial.

@romeoalpha68 3 жыл бұрын

Gimme some lovin' from the beginning to the end of that song it grabs you and doesn't let go . Dear Mr. Fantasy is gold .

@BillGraper 3 жыл бұрын

"Higher Love" was #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart when my family was on vacation in Florida in 1986. I remember how big it was at the time. Great tune! 🙂👍

@stephenhubinsky7064 3 жыл бұрын

I remember seeing the Jordan Brothers perform Gimme Some Lovin' in my hometown of Bethlehem, PA in the 60s, even at that time some of us had already heard Stevie Winwood with Spencer Davis Group. Great time to be alive!

@lio_convoy714 10 ай бұрын

My personal top five "The Finer Things", "Night Train", "Higher Love", "I had to cry today", and of course "Valerie". I start everyday listening to The Finer Things and Higher Love just to get awake and a good mood for the day. His album "Back in the High Life" is my favorite album ever and I listen to it start to finish at least once a month.

@Ravenoflight2275 3 жыл бұрын

Steve Windwood especially in Traffic phenomenal music

@Atom-56 8 ай бұрын

Spencer Davis Group, Traffic and Blind Faith, that’s before the adverts even finished. Been a fan since 1965.

@aimeebriggs2884 3 жыл бұрын

Back in the High Life is my guiding light. It's a song that has always reminded me to keep the faith, and whenever I hear it I know that someone up there is looking out for me.

@thegreenberetlife0191 3 жыл бұрын

So glad you did this, Steve Winwood is one of the masters. Super talented! Valerie Carter was also associated with James Taylor…

@palm444 3 жыл бұрын

LOL, I loaded in and helped setup the floor for the Higher Love music video. That was a long time ago... And i'm a big Steve Winwood fan!!!

@maxcactus7 3 жыл бұрын

Positively love, love, LOVE Steve Winwood's music!! I remember hearing and singing along to Gimme Some Lovin when I was a young kid in my mom's VW Beetle. Fast forward 12 years and I'm in high school and fell in love with Steve Winwood's gorgeous soulful voice and amazing song-writing. The dimwit between my ears thought "Amazing, but this fella almost sounds like the lead singer of the Spencer Davis group singing Gimme Some Lovin!" His music has accompanied through some of the very BEST times of my life and helped me get through many of the very most difficult. God bless you, Steve Winwood, for all the happiness you have brought to SO many for decades with your amazing song-writing, singing and musicianship! My fiver would include: One and Only Man Spy in the House of Love Night Train Back in the High Life Again Holding On

@billyp.193 3 жыл бұрын

The finer things is one of my all time favorite 80's songs.

@markriley24 3 жыл бұрын

Damn! You killed it again on this video! I'm 66 years old and you break down my music like you are an old soul!

@michaelraiger20 3 жыл бұрын

While You See a Chance came out when I was 19 and became an anthem for my life. His later albums carried me through very difficult times. “I still wake up in the morning light / Just to see what is there.” That’s an attitude to take you through life. I finally saw Winwood live 2 years ago in Tampa. What a beautiful soul. His voice makes you believe, “There must be a higher love.”

@ProfessorofRock 3 жыл бұрын

I was front row a few years back when he toured with Steely Dan. It as amazing. He's still very much GOT it.

@michaelraiger20 3 жыл бұрын

Yeah he does. That night in Tampa the guitarist was sick. Stevie had to play keyboard and guitar. I like Steely Dan but went to see Winwood. Did not disappoint. Love your videos. Thank you Professor.

@joec91660 3 жыл бұрын

Roll With It....one my favorite cruising tunes

@ProfessorofRock 3 жыл бұрын

That is a great cruising song. Great observation!

@jewelramsey8582 2 жыл бұрын

Dear Mr Fantasy Is One Of My All-time Favorites. The Original Video Is Absolutely A Psychedelic Trip That Can Take You To A Mind Blowing Place!

@GooglePlusPages 3 жыл бұрын

You missed the boat on this one, Prof. For sheer emotional pain expression and poetry, nothing beats "My Love's Leavin'" Can't believe, only me Shadows in purple thrill me I cry myself awake each night I can't believe that it's true Here am I, where are you, my love?

@SatelliteLily 3 ай бұрын

Thank you! I LOVE "Higher Love" it is on the tpp of my list of songs from 1986 and reminds me of one of the best summers of my life. This song has gotten me through the last couple years, as memories of a good time have carried me through a bad time. I listen to it every day. "There must be someone who's feeling for me..."

@keithdixon3896 3 ай бұрын

Saw him at Bristol Colston Hall UK a few years ago... Absolutely brilliant... a Master of his Craft

@tonytheHAT 3 жыл бұрын

Arc Of a Diver is my favorite Winwood song. It makes me feel so good every time I hear it.

@SnarkNSass 3 жыл бұрын

We really thought that FM radio was the bomb.... But I'm guessing now that I know less actual lyrics than I thought. Valerie, huh? Thought it was Call on me... Never knew it was Valerie until now. 🤦🏻‍♀️ I'm keeping my RocknRoll card with no guilt.... Not my fault!!! 😂🤣😂☮️✌🏻💜😎

@ProfessorofRock 3 жыл бұрын

Ha ha. We hear what we hear!

@robd.1314 3 жыл бұрын

Definitely takes me back to my teenage years during Steve's Solo career.

@pattih7 2 жыл бұрын

Oh, I did the Ski Machine exercises, to “Roll With It, Baby”! “High Life”, too! Loved that CD! 1988, I believe I was given that CD. It had a duet with Linda Rondstadt, the title has escaped me , at the moment! Spencer Davis Group, “Give Me Some Lovin’””, Steve’s voice was perfect for it! ♥️✌️”Bring Me a Higher Love”, I sang with it in the car, the shower, wherever I heard it! Steve also a handsome guy! Wish I could remember that other song! Thanks!

@martinfrog768 3 жыл бұрын

If you were to go back in time and ask some American folks who heard The Spencer Davis Group on Radio who they thought the members of this band might be ... most of them most of them might have guessed "A colored band from Memphis" ... they just had that sound ... Steve Winwood rarely gets considered on those "Best Guitarist" lists but his solo on "Dear Mister Fantasy" is considered by his Peers as one of the best ever performed ... "One Take" So powerful was his performance of the song at The 2007 Chicago Blues Fest that other performers were afraid to take the stage after him ... Clapton of course came right out and played along with Steve ... I would recommend finding a copy of the Festival on DVD ... "Roll With It" calls back to those early R&B roots that Steve grew up with ... and he was able to work with so many great people he had met over the years ... "Higher Love" what can you say ? ... a well written song with a great performance ... when you give a recording engineer flawless well recorded tracks 'mixing' is easy ... you just slide the faders There is something sad about Blind Faith that many people do not 'get' or even talk about ... there was a plan in the works for a project that included Jimi Hendrix in the lineup ... but of course Jimi had died ... I think about that every time I hear "Had To Cry Today" ... similarly with the songs "Can't Find My Way Home" & "Presence Of The Lord" ... Thanks for making this video so very Epic ... Steve Winwood has often been the voice of reason and compassion in difficult times ... his music makes the world better !

@sipnog3528 3 ай бұрын

Arc of a duver is my favourite. A beautiful calm song.

@esbenandersen2131 2 жыл бұрын

I can remember in 1967 when pychedelic rock songs came out - Rolling Stones with 2000 Light Years from Home, and Beatles with Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds (and others from Sergeant Pepper) - and then Traffic with Hole in my Shoe - that was very funny, I think. I've always admired SW for his music and singing - I can remember one day in 1968 comming home from work, and turning on the radio, and a voice saying, that a bunch of American guys had formed a group, and on their first album (which turned out to be a 2-LP) this number was played - and then I heard 2-4 notes of a bass-guitar, and I instantly knew what it was - I'm a Man - and the group Chicago Transit Authority. 1 of the best versions of I'm a Man, I think. Another day - in 1969, also on the radio, a guy said, that there were rumors in the UK, that SW and Eric Clapton was forming what the radio-guy called a super-group, and due to the rumors 300.000 had pre-ordered a possible album - and then the album came out, called Blind Faith - THAT was something. Mr. Professor of Rock - I'm a bit disappointed you don't mention SW's collaboration with Stomu Yamasta and Michael Shrieve in/on GO. That he deserves, I think.