At the tender age of fifteen, Steve Winwood already became a star when he joined the legendary Spencer Davis Group, together with his brother Muff. He immediately made a name for himself as the fellow composer of the classics
Gimme Some Lovin' and
I'm a Man. But Winwood is mostly known for his wonderfully hoarse voice and fantastic playing of the Hammond organ. Guitar legend Jimi Hendrix discovered this during a visit to England. According to Winwood, the American was mad about his organ playing. 'He couldn't believe that a white boy could play like that. Eventually I recorded the song
Voodoo Child with him for his record
Electric Ladyland.' In 1969 Winwood formed the band Blind Faith together with EricClapton, and he played the screeching organ for Joe Cocker's smash hit
With a Little Help from My Friends. As a soloist he could be truly appreciated for the first time on his second album
Arc of a Diver which includes the hit
While You See a Chance. Later, he scored with songs like
Higher Love and
Back in the High Life Again .Last year Winwood surprised all and sundry with the wonderful album
Nine Lives.
