While lots of classic rock singers may well have graced plenty of stages and albums with a variety of bands, they don’t all come with a pedigree like this. A singer and musician who has spanned the decades with their remarkable voice and talent.
They have scored many hits and featured in a couple of supergroups, too. And yet, while they have the respect of many fellow musicians, their name will not first come to mind for many readers.
This is about Steve Winwood and the range of songs and top acts he has been part of. Winwood has had an astounding musical career. Kicking off as a youngster in the 1960s and scoring plenty of hits through several decades thereafter.
Four classic rock songs, four acts, one lead singer
Winwood is known for his songwriting and for his remarkable vocals on many classic tunes. Not to mention guitar and almost trademark keyboards throughout, too.
I’ve taken just four of the great songs he has recorded either with a band or as a solo artist. His voice links all the songs and each gives a flavour of what this talented musician has to offer.
“Keep On Running” - Spencer Davis Group
One of the earliest hits in Winwood’s extensive back catalog. This great song reached number one in the UK in January 1966. The group was formed by Spencer Davis and followed a blues-and-R&B line, which totally suited Winwood. As an interesting aside, the then 17-year-old Winwood was joined in the group by his older brother Muff on bass.
While Steve went on to become a formidable artist, Muff took his talents into A&R. He signed up the likes of Prefab Sprout, Terence Trent D’Arby, and Sade. More hands-on musically, Muff produced the outstanding Dire Straits debut album.
Anyway, back to that song. “Keep On Running” was a cover of a song by Jamaican artist Jackie Edwards. Winwood took the lead vocals on it, along with playing guitar and keyboards. That's pretty involved for a young lad in a new band. It also sets the scene for much more to come from him.
“Paper Sun” - Traffic
After leaving the Spencer Davis Group, Winwood joined Traffic and helped establish the more psychedelic sound of that band. He wrote the music to many of their early tunes, with Jim Capaldi providing lyrics to match. “Paper Sun” is a great example from that time.
“Paper Sun” was released in May 1967 and scored a top ten hit in the UK and Canada. Again, Winwood provides strong lead vocals for the song, along with more organ work. Also notable on the record is a great, and perhaps typically 1960s, sitar riff from Dave Mason. That all combines with Jim Capaldi on drums and Chris Wood on flute and vocals.
Traffic went on to have several more hits with Winwood on board. Despite an early split, the band had a long career, albeit with a few lineup changes along the way. Winwood, though, moved on at that first breakup.
“Can’t Find My Way Home” - Blind Faith
In 1969, Winwood found his way to one of the early supergroups of that time. At just 21, he joined up with Ginger Baker and Eric Clapton from Cream and Ric Grech of Family fame to become part of Blind Faith. It was a band of great potential but sadly also of just one album, their eponymous release in 1969.
Winwood wrote ”Can’t Find My Way Home” for that album, probably the band's best-known song. He is excellent again on the lead vocals. The album reached number one in the UK, and that song has been a regular feature at many top blues rock artists ever since.
Clapton, who kicked off the breakup of the band to go on tour with Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett, as Delaney & Bonnie & Friends, has certainly featured it. The song was still on his 2025 tour setlist.
Winwood went on to play with several other bands. Notably, a further supergroup in Ginger Baker’s Air Force and prog rock/jazz fusion band Go. But it’s his own solo career where more hits, highlights, and great songs came to the fore.
“Higher Love” - Steve Winwood
Winwood’s second solo album, Arc of a Diver, in 1980, gave him his first solo hit with “While You See A Chance.” It was through the 1986 release of his album Back In The High Life that he really peaked.
The album was a triple platinum US success, and the single “Higher Love” was a number one US hit. The song also picked up Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.
Winwood certainly has hit the heights throughout his musical career. There are many more great songs he has had a hand in, adding his voice or instruments, or both. From early success, then through a supergroup or two, and onto solo hits, it’s been quite a journey.