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

Call on Me - Steve Winwood & Eric Prydz

Here's an altered version of Valerie, by my favourite musician of all time, Steve Winwood. This techno version, renamed Call on Me, was produced by Swedish DJ & producer, Eric Prydz. Winwood worked with him to re-record the lyrics.



However, here is the video that made the song famous, though I have no idea why! ;-) Incidentally, Radical Left Liberals in places like Manhattan, Toronto, San Francisco, and Seattle, who know nothing about non-neurotic sex, might want to avoid watching this! LOL



If you're a purist, like me, then you'll enjoy the original version of Valerie:

Steve Winwood Turns 60 Years Old

Today is the birthday of my favourite musician of all time, Steve Winwood. He avoided the glamour, he avoided the drugs, and he stayed true to the music. Here are a few videos of his to enjoy:

Who Is Steve Winwood?

That RIDICULOUS question was asked of me today by someone who will remain anonymous! Steve Winwood is my favourite musician of all time and an absolute genius IMHO. Here are some videos that Fiona (ooops, I was going to keep her name anonymous) might recognize:




Quick notes:

• The second song is my #1 favourite song. The first time I heard it was the very first time I drove on my own. My Dad helped me buy a 67 Buick (in 1980) and had a cheap Korean stereo installed in it. I heard "While You See A Chance" and absolutely loved it. I also heard "Morning Train" by Sheena Easton but it never stuck.
• The third song, Gimme Some Lovin', Winwood wrote and released in 1966, when he was just 18 years old.