Steve Winwood Illness: What Illness Does Steve Winwood Have?

Who is Steve Winwood?

Stephen Lawrence Winwood, born on May 12th, 1948, is a highly accomplished English musician, singer, and songwriter who has made significant contributions to various genres. He is renowned for his soulful high tenor voice and his mastery of multiple instruments, including guitar, keyboards, drums, mandolin, bass, and saxophone.

During the 1960s and 1970s, Winwood played a pivotal role in three influential bands: the Spencer Davis Group, Traffic, and Blind Faith. In the 1980s, he embarked on a successful solo career and produced a string of hit singles, including “While You See a Chance” (1980), “Valerie” (1982), “Back in the High Life Again,” “The Finer Things,” and the chart-topping “Higher Love” (1986). Other notable songs include “Roll With It” (1988) and “Holding On.”

Although Winwood’s commercial success waned in the late 1980s, he continued to release albums until 2008, with his most recent being Nine Lives. In recognition of his achievements, Winwood was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Traffic in 2004. He has received numerous accolades, including the BMI Icon Award in 2005 and the Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Song Collection in 2011.

Winwood has also won two Grammy Awards and was ranked No. 33 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time in 2008. Throughout his career, Steve Winwood has left an indelible mark on the music industry, earning him widespread admiration and respect. Nicole Weir, a singer who contributed background vocals on some of Steve Winwood’s early solo work, was married to him from 1978 to 1986. Their wedding took place at Cheltenham Register Office.

Steve Winwood Illness

Winwood’s battle with illness began in 2013 when he underwent surgery to remove a benign tumor from one of his vocal cords. The procedure was successful in removing the tumor but left Winwood unable to sing for several months, which was undoubtedly a significant setback for a musician whose voice is one of his defining features. However, Winwood demonstrated resilience and determination by refusing to let his illness define him or halt his musical career.

Despite the vocal challenges, Winwood focused on his recovery and rehabilitation. He utilized this time away from singing to explore other aspects of his musical abilities and embarked on new projects. He continued to play various instruments, experiment with songwriting, and develop new material. His passion for music remained unwavering, and he channeled his energy into creating music as soon as he regained his ability to perform.

In 2017, after a hiatus of almost a decade since his previous album release, Winwood came back strong with the release of “Winwood: Greatest Hits Live.” The album featured a selection of his biggest hits from throughout his career, showcasing his remarkable talent and musicianship.

It also included some new material, demonstrating that Winwood’s creativity and artistry were as vibrant as ever. “Winwood: Greatest Hits Live” received positive reviews from critics and was well-received by fans. The album reminded the world of Winwood’s enduring musical legacy and his ability to captivate audiences with his soulful voice and exceptional instrumental skills.

It served as a testament to his unwavering passion for music and his determination to continue creating despite the obstacles he faced. Through his triumphant return to the music scene and the success of “Winwood: Greatest Hits Live,” Steve Winwood reaffirmed his status as a respected and influential figure in the music industry.

His story serves as an inspiration to artists and fans alike, showcasing the power of perseverance, creativity, and unyielding love for music.

What Illness does Steve Winwood have?

The Santa Monica show referred to in the statement was a notable concert by the band Traffic, in which Steve Winwood was a key member. It is considered significant because it was one of the few Traffic performances that were recorded on film. This particular concert also holds significance as it marked the final Traffic jam of that particular year.

Unfortunately, shortly after the Santa Monica show, Winwood’s health took a turn for the worse. He was afflicted with peritonitis, which is an inflammation of the peritoneum, the tissue lining the inner abdominal wall. Peritonitis can be a serious condition and often requires immediate medical attention.

Due to his health condition, Winwood was forced to stop touring and put a halt to his musical activities temporarily. It was a challenging time for him as he had to focus on recovering and regaining his health. This period likely involved medical treatment, rest, and recuperation.

The mention that Steve Winwood essentially skipped adolescence as a teen rock child prodigy refers to his early entry into the music industry and his rapid rise to fame. As a young musician, he achieved notable success with groups like the Spencer Davis Group and later Traffic. His talent and accomplishments at a young age propelled him into the spotlight, and he quickly established himself as a respected and influential figure in the rock music scene.

Steve Winwood Band

Steve Winwood has played with various musicians throughout his career, but he has also had a few bands that have been associated with him. Some of the notable bands Winwood has been a part of include:

The Spencer Davis Group: Winwood was just a teenager when he joined the Spencer Davis Group in 1963. He played keyboards and sang lead vocals on several of the group’s hits, including “Gimme Some Lovin'” and “I’m a Man.”

Traffic: Winwood co-founded Traffic in 1967 with drummer Jim Capaldi, guitarist Dave Mason, and flutist/saxophonist Chris Wood. The band blended rock, jazz, and folk influences and released several critically acclaimed albums, including “Mr. Fantasy,” “Traffic,” and “John Barleycorn Must Die.”

Blind Faith: Winwood formed Blind Faith in 1969 with Cream’s Eric Clapton, drummer Ginger Baker, and bassist Ric Grech. The supergroup released only one album before disbanding, but it was a commercial and critical success.

The Steve Winwood Band: After the breakup of Blind Faith, Winwood embarked on a solo career and formed the Steve Winwood Band. The lineup of the band varied over the years, but it typically included a mix of veteran and up-and-coming musicians. The Steve Winwood Band released several albums, including “Arc of a Diver,” “Talking Back to the Night,” and “Back in the High Life.”

The Traffic Jam: In recent years, Winwood has often toured with a band called The Traffic Jam, which includes some of his longtime collaborators as well as newer musicians. The band performs a mix of Traffic songs, Winwood’s solo hits, and some new material.

How Old is Steve Winwood?

Steve Winwood, born on May 12, 1948, in Handsworth, Birmingham, is currently 74 years old. His father Lawrence was a semi-professional musician, and at a young age, Winwood showed a keen interest in music. He started playing the piano, drums, and guitar when he was just four years old. He was also a choirboy at St. John’s Church of England, Perry Barr.

The Winwood family later moved to Kingstanding in Birmingham, where Steve attended the Great Barr School, one of the first comprehensive schools. He also briefly attended the Birmingham and Midland Institute of Music to further develop his piano skills but did not complete the course. During his early years, Winwood performed with his father and older brother Muff in the Ron Atkinson Band.

At the young age of eight, he started playing regularly in licensed pubs and clubs, even though his underage status required the piano to be turned away from the audience to conceal his age. This period of Winwood’s life highlights his early musical talents, his exposure to various instruments, and his dedication to honing his skills. These experiences would lay the foundation for his future success as a renowned musician.

Steve Winwood Biography