Steve Winwood Turns 61

I have few heroes but one of them has long been Steve Winwood, who turned 61 years old today. He was a musical genius at a very young age, co-writing and recording Gimme Some Lovin' and I'm a Man with the Spencer Davis Group. He then went on to be an integral part of both Traffic and Blind Faith.

I first discovered him in the Fall of 1980 on the first day my dad let me drive solo. He had bought a turquoise blue 1967 Buick Special for him & I to share. After dropping him off at work, I drove to school (Grade 11), cranking up the tunes on a 3rd Party Korean AM/FM/Cassette stereo he had added. And one of the two songs to play that morning was While You See a Chance, a song that has been an anthem of sorts for me ever since, especially when I needed a little inspiration!

Besides loving Winwood's music, I was also impressed with the fact that he avoided the drug scene that so many musicians get wrapped up in, and instead just focused on what was most important, the music.

Happy Birthday, Steve, and God Bless You!

Studio Version