Steve Winwood Joins Tom Petty, Readies New Disc

By Mack Rawden:

Steve Winwood is underrated. No, he’s beyond underrated. He’s categorically ignored, and that startling fact should be appalling to anyone with even the vaguest knowledge of music history. At fifteen, Steve Winwood joined the Spencer Davis Group and recorded a slew of great songs, including the brilliant “Gimme Some Lovin’.” By his early twenties, he’d formed Traffic, played alongside Eric Clapton in Blind Faith, and even convinced Hendrix to record “All Along The Watchtower.” What else? Oh yeah, he performed the organ work on Joe Cocker’s cover of “With A Little Help From My Friends” and contributed all the samples for Eric Prydz’s “Call On Me.” At some point, he also wrote “Higher Love”, one of my favorite songs–ever!

According to Billboard, Steve Winwood has signed with Columbia Records and will release a new album entitled Nine Lives, which fittingly includes nine songs. He’s also agreed to tour with Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers this summer as their opening act. When does he sleep? Do yourself a favor and pick up anything he’s ever touched. I promise you won’t be disappointed. Here’s a video of Steve performing “Gimme Some Lovin”...