Eric Clapton had considered asking Winwood to join Cream to help act as a buffer between Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker, who didn't particularly care for each other. Unfortunately, the group broke up before Winwood could accept the offer. By an ironic stroke of luck, Winwood, Clapton, and Baker later teamed up together (along with Rick Grech) in Blind Faith.
Brother of Muff Winwood.
Founding member of the critically and commercially acclaimed band Traffic.
Had U.S. and U.K. solo hits with "Higher Love", "Valerie", "While You See a Chance" and "Back in the High Life Again".
Hotly tipped to become the dance track of 2004, Eric Prydz's "Call On Me" was originally a 1980s smash hit for Winwood called "Valerie". When he heard the remix he thought it was so good he not only gave his permission to use the samples, he even re-recorded his vocals especially for the track.
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as a member of Traffic, in March 2004.
Is the youngest member of Traffic.
Member of the 1960s rock band Spencer Davis Group.
Suffered a severe bout of peritonitis that nearly killed him in the early 1970s.
The Spencer Davis Group recorded the intriguingly titled "Today Gluggo Tomorrow the World" written by Lynsey De Paul and Pete York.
When Crosby Stills & Nash were looking for another musician to help them beef up their sound in concert, they asked Winwood if he would be interested in joining. Winwood declined due to the fact that he was already committed to his current band Blind Faith with Eric Clapton. Ironically, Clapton was also asked to join C.S.N..