OpenTube

Why Steve Winwood walked away from stardom

Studio Number Six

358,288 views

🎟️ Get your full Backstage Pass - Unlock exclusive member content and extended studio cuts, and get 10% off your Patreon membership here 👉 SN6 Classic +
https://www.patreon.com/cw/historyhit...

He could out-sing the grown-ups, out-play the pros, and outlast the trends. From a teenage prodigy in Birmingham to a global solo superstar, Steve Winwood has left his fingerprints all over the history of modern music—but he never seemed to want the fame that came with it.

In this mini-documentary, we trace the incredible musical journey of Steve Winwood. Discover how a 15-year-old keyboardist became the soulful, roaring voice behind The Spencer Davis Group's "Keep On Running" and "Gimme Some Lovin'." We explore his retreat from the pop charts to form the groundbreaking, genre-bending band Traffic, the short-lived but legendary supergroup Blind Faith with Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker, and his massive 1980s solo resurgence with hits like "Higher Love" and "Back In The High Life Again."

Through it all, Winwood proved that you don't have to chase the spotlight if you're willing to chase the sound.

What is your favorite era of Steve Winwood's career: The Spencer Davis Group, Traffic, Blind Faith, or his solo work? Let us know in the comments below!

For all business enquiries email - matthew@studionumbersix.com

*Disclaimer:
I have a speech impediment so I use an AI voice over, the script is written by me and the video is edited by two people (both very much humans).

00:00 The Quiet Revolutionary of Rock & Soul
01:38 Early Years & The Teenage Prodigy
03:26 The Spencer Davis Group: "Gimme Some Lovin'"
06:06 Leaving Pop Stardom to Form Traffic
09:50 Blind Faith: The First Supergroup with Eric Clapton
12:26 Traffic Returns & The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys
13:01 The 1980s Solo Comeback: "Higher Love"
15:58 Later Years, Reunions & Enduring Legacy

20 Comments

@stevevice9863 1 year ago

Steve Winwood was one of the best concerts I've ever been to in my 50 years of attending live concerts. He played for 2 hours, and every song was a hit from the last 60 years. Unbelievably talented musician, singer and songwriter.

@mikelehan621 1 year ago

Always love StevevWinwood. I’m 75 and followed his whole career.

@BlackRootsAcademyOfSoul 1 year ago

"He wasn't chasing the spotlight, he was chasing the Music". ✍🏿
🙌🏿👊🏿🖤

@Mary-j6t5c 8 months ago

I had the pleasure of meeting him in a bar in birmingham in the late 80s and he was a pure gentleman stood chatting about music and nothing was to much. From an absolute legend 🙌

@catmom1322 1 year ago

I've been his fan forever. I'm 73 & he's still my favorite. He's incredible & knows no bounds.

@robertlevasseur6843 1 year ago

Steve Winwood is the full package musically. A pitch-perfect distinctive voice, an outstanding keyboard player and guitarist, as well as a versatile song writer. You don’t need to be a showman when you have that strong a foundation.

@harimadhavan1712 9 months ago

The legend that is Steve Winwood. That voice is full of soul.

@tele-bass68 1 year ago

One of the best musicians in history......period.

@kokopelli57 10 months ago

He seems a humble fellow who let his talent speak for itself. Well done.

@bobthebear1246 1 year ago

Steve Winwood: Absolute legend.

@ecall1771 1 year ago

One of the most underrated artists ever.

@JonZ2398 1 year ago

Love his work with Spencer Davis, Traffic, Blind Faith, and his solo stuff. One of the great musical geniuses of the world.

@karenhousley610 1 year ago

Took my daughter to see Steve winwood, early1990s, he looked right at her ❤ cool man, thanks

@lght5548 1 year ago

He may not have chased the spotlight, but the spotlight chased him. He's an icon and a legend of the music industry.

@grokeffer6226 1 year ago

I've seen Mr. Winwood twice in concert. He's one of my favorite music people. I hope he's doing okay. ❤

@twosheds2030 1 year ago

Incredible musician. Brilliant on record. Brilliant live. Seriously, he’s a genius 👏👏👏

@joellebrodeur1015 1 year ago

He's amazing and never calls attention to himself. He let's the music speak for him. My mom had both his Traffic and Blind Faith albums, so even as a young kid in the early 80s, I knew his music.

When "Back in the High Life" was released, it easily became one of my favorite albums growing up. To this day, I do not view it as a commerical sell out as some wish to believe, I think of it as Steve evolving with the times. He did it in a way that didn't seem disingenuous. He remained authentic and that's something that still stands out to me to this day.

@HeyzuezJefferson 1 year ago

Somehow Steve Winwood still seems like a youngster. He has never been restricted by the prevailing winds, but rather about charting his own path. Unfazed by fame or desire to join the current fad, he would experiment and discover something deep down left over from his childhood. It’s clear, he simply loves music. You might say “plain and simple”, but his music is rarely plain and simple. It’s about who he is and what he’s feeling at any given time. Isn’t that what we would all like to do? The most overused word in the English language is genius. Sometimes it applies! You decide for yourself.

@ukpeacheater 1 year ago (edited)

One of my top 3, or maybe top 2, Live Albums ever is "Traffic On the Road". I bought it when it came out in 1973. I practically wore out the vinyl, and I am still listening to it on CD these days, a couple of times a month. The sound /tone Winwood gets with his voice and guitar on "Sometimes I Feel so Uninspired " STILL gives me shivers every time I hear it.

@And-i4x 1 year ago

Ginger Baker praised Winwood's sense of time. And coming from one of rock's greatest drummers and most contentious and difficult personalities, that is high praise!