British singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Steve Winwood has had an extremely prolific career. Since the early ’60s, he has written and contributed to countless classic records, both as a solo artist and with a variety of different bands, including the Spencer Davis Group, Traffic, and Go.
Winwood was also a key member of one of the first-ever “supergroups,” Blind Faith, along with Cream‘s Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker, and Family bassist Ric Grech. The group proved to be short-lived, only lasting a few months in 1969, but the self-titled album they recorded during that time proved to be a classic, topping both the U.K. and U.S. Album Charts and earning a platinum certification from the RIAA.
In honor of Winwood’s 76th birthday today, check out these videos of him at the group’s debut live performance, at London’s Hyde Park in 1969:
Blind Faith – “Can’t Find My Way Home” – London, England – 6/7/69
[Video: dac10012]
Blind Faith – “Presence of the Lord” – London, England – 6/7/69
[Video: dac10012]
Blind Faith – “Had to Cry Today” – London, England – 6/7/69
[Video: dac10012]
Cheers, Steve! Here’s to many more!
[Originally published May 12th, 2019]