After a short layoff to take care of schoolwork and the huge amount of artist correspondence I've been getting, I am excited to return with my first interview of the new year featuring none other then singer-songwriter Steve Winwood. I know, wicked right? Because I am such a big fan of all of Steve's musical incarcerations, I was really happy when he agreed to be put under the microscope.
Starting at age 15 with the Spencer Davis Group, Mr. Winwood has contributed some of the rock's most eclectic and memorable performances with both his solo albums and iconic bands as diverse as Traffic and Blind Faith. He is currently preparing for a 14-city tour with Blind Faith pal Eric Clapton this summer and I am so honored to be able to bring you this interview.
You were very young when you started in music and your father seemed to be a big influence early on. Were you classically trained or did it just come naturally?
It came naturally at first. I was also classically trained but forced to leave music college at age 15 because contemporary music wasn't acceptable in those days at music college.
Still in your teens, you performed with some major American blues artists when they toured England. How did this effect your own writing and playing and were you at all nervous being on the same stage with legends like Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf at such a young age?
No, I wasn't nervous and it was a great learning experience for me.
"I'm a Man," which you co-wrote and recorded with The Spencer Davis Group has become a staple for Garage Band Musicians through the generations, and "Gimme Some Lovin'" is equally if not more recognizable. Do you still enjoy performing these classics as much as when you wrote them?
Yes, but I enjoy performing different arrangements of them. 
Can you tell us a little about the "Voodoo Chile" session at The Record Plant studios with Jimi?
Jimi broke his strings on the first take and restrung his own guitar and this take is also available on bootleg. Take 3 was the one that was used.
It seems like Traffic was the perfect fit for your music. What is your favorite Traffic album and how well did the various members get along?
Article comments
1 - tink
good job!!!
2 - Berkin
Dude, it seems like you have not connected with the legend of Winwood... pretty poor choice of questions, very obvious and too crystal... I think
Steve must have recognized the poor quality of Qs, thus it reflects in his answers,... Always do better research before interviewing especially, the EMPEROR OF ROCK MUSIC...
better luck next time....