I was on my way to March against the Big Banks but instead I spent my morning on YouTube. If you ask me, these are the real Masters of the Universe. I'm thinking my "Blind Faith" is well placed and I'm enjoying some great tunes following the changing times through music.
I love to celebrate the people who have improved my life for most of my years. So many memories, so many Steve Winwood songs that bring me right back there. How about you?
In 1948, Steve Winwood was born in Birmingham, England. Today, on his sixty-third birthday, so many years have passed since 1965 when "Keep On Running" made number one on the Pop Charts.
And young Stevie Winwood could finally afford his own his own Hammond B-3 organ. Apparently he was already a seasoned veteran;
While he was still a pupil at the Great Barr School, Winwood was a part of the Birmingham rhythm and blues scene, playing the Hammond B-3 organ and guitar, backing blues singers such as Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, T-Bone Walker, Howlin' Wolf, B. B. King, Sonny Boy Williamson II, Eddie Boyd, Otis Spann, Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley on their United Kingdom tours, the custom at that time being for US singers to travel solo and be backed by pickup bands.
Here's a funky out of sync video from the 60's that's fun to watch. Check out these young "Mods!"
I didn't learn his name back when I was nine but I do fondly remember the band back then. Singing that song and dancing in the streets of the Bronx while using the parked fenders of automobiles as "organic percussion." But as we grew up, you know like six months later, I had to ask "What's the name of the guy playing that great keyboard?"
Traffic in 1967 was Jim Capaldi, Steve Winwood, Chris Wood, and Dave Mason. In 2003 Jerry Garcia lent a helping hand to one of those most loved early Traffic hits. I'd put this video up against "Soul Sacrifice." This has got to be one of the most amazing jam sessions on YouTube.
Life seemed to be progressing so slowly at that young age but the dynamic of rock was unbelievably fast back then. Do you remember the summer of 69? As Crosby, Stills and Nash came together to form a California Super Group, another great British invasion, Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce!
My introduction was my best friend telling me there was a new album for sale that "had a naked Redhead on the cover." I found out who the members of the band was after removing the "child safe" wrapper. Already a huge fan of Cream I played that album constantly until the groves wore out. Even thought it was the same year that Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Bonham and John Paul Jones introduced my Bronx Motown mind the Blues, I did not yet appreciate this one. I do now.
Blind Faith lasted barely six months but talk about ephemeral beauty. What a great newer video! Derek Trucks, no stranger to mixing it up with the "old timers."
Then came a new Traffic! Another short-lived project but with a big comeback, Heavy Traffic.
Great Wiki trivia, "In 1972, Winwood recorded the part of Captain Walker in the highly successful orchestral version of The Who's Tommy"
Traffic broke up, Jim Capaldi stayed on for a while and new sounds were born. In 1980 Steve Winwood had his first solo hit!
My personal favorite from that decade of big hair and young adult confidence.
And the hits just kept on coming. A string of Classic 80's Hits.
Not that he didn't pay his dues to make it to the top of the pop charts. Here's a decent "quick biography" of his "blue-eyed soul-pop" popularity and how he got there. "...a long and varied career, one that's seen the former teenage R&B shouter move through jazz, psychedelia, blues-rock, and progressive rock." What an amazing life of great entertainment that sort of moved with or perhaps even set our taste in music.
What has Steve Winwood been up to lately? I must have been engaged elsewhere when Steve and Jim Capaldi took another shot at Traffic in the 90's but I do love this oldie.
Steve is still active. The last time I saw him in concert was just five months after the sad death of Jim Capaldi. It was on June 20, 2005 at Beacon Theatre and there was a dedication to his old band mate. Winwood was better than ever. He did not lose one bit from his distinctive voice and the band improved his older classics.
In 2008 Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood had an iTunes hit.
Right now and for several years Steve Winwood has been touring again with Eric Clapton. I've never seen them together, a bucket list topper for me.
Thank you Steve Winwood. I hope to hear you again.