Steve Winwood, born Stephen Lawrence
Winwood, is a British composer, singer and multi-instrumentalist born in
Birmingham on 12 May 1948. Son of an amateur musician, after his first
classical piano studies he took part in the shows of his father's band. In
1965, at the age of 17, together with his older brother Muff Winwood, he joined
the group “The Spencer Davis Group” as singer, keyboard player and guitarist,
participating in the composition of hits such as “Gimme Some Lovin'”, “ Keep On
Running” and “Somebody Help Me”. In 1969, he collaborated on some Jimi Hendrix
recordings, in particular on the song “Voodoo Chile”. In that same year, Steve
was contacted by Eric Clapton and they decided to found the rock group
"Blind Faith", with drummer Ginger Baker, ex Cream together with
Clapton, and bassist Ric Grech. The band was produced by Robert Stigwood
(future producer of “Saturday Night Fever”). After the dissolution of
"Blind Faith", Winwood dedicated himself to a solo project. In the 80's,
Steve released numerous hits: "While You See A Chance",
"Valerie", "Higher Love", "Freedom Overspill" and
"Roll With It". "Higher Love" is a 1986 song and was the
first single released from his fourth solo LP, Back in the High Life (1986).
The song was written by Winwood and Will Jennings and produced by Russ Titelman
and Winwood. The song's female vocals were performed by Chaka Khan, who also
appeared in the music video. "Higher Love" was Winwood's first song
to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 (August 30 to September 5, 1986).
"Higher Love" spent four weeks at the top of the US Billboard Album
Rock Tracks chart and won two Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Best
Male Pop Vocal Performance. “Higher Love” reached number thirteen in the UK,
Winwood's highest solo entry on the charts, and reached number one in Canada.
Whitney Houston covered the song in 1990 and the song was included as a bonus
track on the Japanese edition of her third studio album “I'm Your Baby
Tonight”. In 2016, Steve Winwood made a version with his daughter Lilly
Winwood, performing a duet for a “Hershey” chocolate factory commercial.
"Freedom Overspill" is a 1986 song that reached number twenty on the
Billboard Hot 100 Pop chart. It was the second single released from his fourth
solo album “Back in the High Life”. The single was produced by Russ Titelman
and Winwood. James Hooker, Winwood's touring keyboardist and former member of
the “Amazing Rhythm Aces,” was credited with co-writing the song with Winwood
and George Fleming. "Freedom Overspill" was featured on the
soundtrack of Ridley Scott's 1987 film “Someone to Watch Over Me,” and the 1987
film “Big Shots.”
Discography :
Album
1967 - Traffic Avec Stevie Winwood (feat. Traffic)
1968 - Every Little Bit Hurts (feat. The Spencer Davis Group)
1969 - Heavies (feat. The Spencer Davis Group)
1971 - Welcome To The Canteen (feat. Traffic)
1971 - The London Howlin' Wolf Sessions (feat. Howlin' Wolf)
1974 - E.H. In The U.K. (feat. Eddie Harris)
1976 - Michael Shrieve Go (feat. Stomu Yamashta)
1976 - Aiye-Keta (feat. Remi Kabaka & Abdul Lasisi Amao)
1977 - Steve Winwood
1980 - Arc Of A Diver
1982 - Talking Back To The NIght
1983 - Inside Track With Lisa Robinson (feat. Phil Collins)
1986 - Back In The High Life
1986 - A Conversation With Steve Winwood
1987 - Off The Record Specials With Mary Turner (feat. Mary Turner)
1988 - Roll With It
1990 - Refugees Of The Heart
1996 - Junction Seven
2003 - About Time
2008 - Nine Lives
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