Seventeen years old and he could shred the organ like people who had been doing it for years AND nailed the song with all the nuances and never looked like he was trying!! The British Invasion brought the most amazing music in history and it’s still being played today.☺️ I was so glad I was born into that era.❤️
He had been doing it for years... But I take your point. I saw him on his 16th birthday and it was life-changing for a 14-year old. He was born in May 1948 so must be 18 at least, in this clip
@@keithrandall1492 He must have been already 18 years old when composing or at least performing that number 'Gimme Some Lovin', it was not in the record shops until autumn 1966...?
Steve Winwood is my all around favorite British musician. He is a multi instrumental talent, a great singer, songwriter and producer. Steve Winwood turns 74 years old tomorrow. I saw Steve Winwood twice live, as the opening act for Tom Petty. Thanks for sharing this analysis video. Cheers, Fil! ✌️
No one like Steve Winwood A kid with a voice like that and he’s never changed! Thanks Stevie Winwood for a lifetime of music and you Fil for highlighting him. I was a teen when this song came out and we would blast it in the car!
Steve's recent video of him singing Can't Find My way Home in front of the fire place I liked even more than the original of that song. He still sounds amazing
Spencer Davis Group, Traffic and Blind Faith cemented his brilliance. Such a beautiful voice also. Very underrated vocalist, imho. Thanks again Fil! Another brilliant analysis
I think at the time that Stevie was dominating, he was considered one of the greatest vocalist, in traffic in blind faith, nobody had that tone like him
@@Uncle-Bull I used underrated because, unlike Clapton, Steve Winwood, as great as he was, really is not in this generation's consciousness. They still know who Clapton is. I'm not talking about when he was in his heyday. If you listed 10 male rock singers, including him, and gave it to 1000 20-50 yr olds to rank, where do you think he would be ranked? Unlike Streisand, Vaughn, Holliday, Fitzgerald who spanned the generations and continue to be explored, I think Steve has fallen off people's radar so he is not as remembered as maybe the more flashier vocalists. That is what I meant by underrated. I didn't want to say forgotten, even though that may be more accurate. I think if more actually heard his work, he would be better remembered. Have a good night.
Many of the Black Soul shouters in the 60's had this voice or better, but as far as the white soul singers WInwood was up near the top.@@larrybrown1597
I would add to Steve Winwood at 17, the unbelievably talented Alex Chilton, who at just 16 years old topped the charts with his first professional recording when The Box Tops' "The Letter" became an international number one hit. Followed by "Cry Like a Baby".
I agree. Also, Rick Derringer was only 17, or 18, when Hang On Sloopy was recorded. Stevie Wonder was a teenager, when he recorded things like Fingertips, Uptight, For Once In My Life, and so on. A Canadian, Burton Cummings, was no more than 21, when hits like These Eyes, was recorded by The Guess Who. It would be something if a kid told his parents that they didn't want to take piano lessons anymore. The kid's parents would ask, why not? The kid would show them music by these child prodigies, who are now adults (senior citizens).
@@dwaynewladyka577 thanks for reminding us about these incredible talents that I’ve listened to for so many years. SW IMHO TOPS the others but they are awesome in their own right. Thanks for this Fil.
There are a lot of names to add to that list: The Jackson Five, Stevie Wonder, Steve Marriott, Davy Jones, Janis Ian, Mike Oldfield, Peter Frampton, The Wilson brothers, Cliff Richards, Keith Moon, Mick Taylor, and a few dozen others.
@@johnj2763 100% Agree! "Thirteen" might be the greatest teenage angst song of all time. I believe Jeff Tweedy/Wilco were greatly influenced by Alex Chilton.
They were so influential that the very first track from the Allman Brothers Band debut album was an instrumental cover of their song Don't Want You No More. I believe Steve Winwood's voice just gets better with age.
Wow. I have never heard this version before....but I always tried to imagine a live rendition, and this is about as amazing as I could have ever hoped for. Everything they added beyond what the single version has is perfect. I mean, perfect as in so cool.....I don't know anything about how to write a song. It just sounds so damn cool.
Omgosh! I've never seen them LIVE doing this song contemporaneously with it being a hit! I'm saving this one. I was 11 years old when this song came out and it was THE SONG of that year...and to this day, it's still being played regularly on oldies stations that usually leave out some of the best. But, none of the stations ever miss playing "Gimme Some Lovin'". I met Stevie (as he was called back in the day) in a hotel lobby in Chicago in 2015. I never, ever bother a celebrity but to get Stevie Winwood's autograph, I wouldn't pass that up. And he was such a gentleman.
Give Steve Winwood some much deserved respect. For those out there who are maybe not so familiar with The Spencer Davis Group and the name of Steve Winwood let me just tell you that this is the same guy who is responsible for Higher Love song. A very gifted artist.
For me Give me Some Lovin is a perfect song! Steve Winwood's voice is so mature for such a young age - both raw and precise - and his timing is so subtle. I love how authoritative in the genre this English band is in 1967. You are so right, Fil, about the energy in the room. All these decades later it is palpable. One of my favourites.
The Spencer Davis Group performed in February 1967 at the Helsinki Culture House and Pasila TV Studio. In Finland, it appeared on the fourth day of the tour on February 27. The House of Culture housed 1,550 people, a full hall.
True story. My mother lived in Houston and would listen to "black radio" coming in from Baton Rouge. One night they played "this new kid" (she thought he was 16 though) that sounded just like Ray Charles. They played SPD off and on for two days, going on and on about this "phenom". Then one day the radio station apologized to its audience. They didn't realize he was white. People called in and didn't care, they loved the kid the band and the music. Mom said she was shocked to know he was white as well. It was the 1st time a white person played on that station. Anyway, I always thought that was a funny story.
Thanks for sharing. You should read Keith Richards autobiography called: "Life". Fascinating stories of the Stones on their first tour in the deep south of the United States when they were still a Blues Band. It has a lot to do with "Honky Tonks".
@@mrnobody3161 That sounds real good. I like stories like that. I knew that they had recorded at Muscle Shoals and the music created was definitely country, blues and R&B flavored homage to their experiences touring in the south. I've done a little reading about the Chitlin Curcuit tar-paper juke joints, and it's influence on rock n roll and whites that "appropriated" music from the CC.Super interesting. But thanks for the recommend. I'm a nut for reading, a nut for autobiographies, and a nut for music, so I will absolutely check it out. Plus touring stories from bands are _always_ a good read; things happen there that occurs nowhere else. And thank you very much for your reply.
Stevie started sitting in on organ from a VERY young age (like 12 or something) for all the black American artists touring the UK when they came to Birmingham, his home city. Since the venue was a pub, he had to sit with his back to the audience so any visiting police wouldn't realise he was underage to be on licensed premises. He must have absorbed so much from these musical role models. And IIRC, he has said he modelled himself vocally on Ray Charles.
It sounds like he had a sore throat maybe. Not bashing him in any way, it just sounds like he's straining to hit some notes and you can hear his voice cracking some, which isn't at all how he normally sounds. By this time he was a veteran of performing.
I remember hearing little Steve Winwood on my transistor radio I was not even a teenager I've loved him all these years. He has never disappointed. A true musical genius. He still sounds great.
At the Clapton and Winwood concert in 2010, each guy took a solo spotlight to sing a song. Steve did Georgia on My Mind. I had seen Ray Charles in nightclubs, small venues but not an arena. I closed my eyes to listen to Steve and could have sworn it was Ray. Then you go numb realizing that Steve has sounded this way since he broke on to the scene at age 14.
I was privileged to be at Hyde Park in 1969 to see Steve Winwood and Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker and Rick Grech perform song after song of outstanding quality, as Blind Faith , so I know how good Steve Winwood has always been. His playing of the Hammond organ is SO good. And, many years later, I went to an intimate venue, and enjoyed about an hour of great music, by the drummer of The Spencer Davis group, Pete York and his band. All was/ is so good.
"Can't Find My Way Home" is a perfect example of the RELAXED, yet incredibly powerful, effortless vocal ability of Steve. There's a recent vid of him singing it solo next to a fireplace and as I sang along I was amazed, I was actually able to grab a few notes!!! However, when I attempted to play guitar and sing I realized he was turned down an entire step. Try singing the original sometime.....at least for me, it ain't happenin'. Oh well, that's why we love our greats! Personal Note: I saw Traffic in Indiana in about 1970. Got backstage, got high with them sitting about 2 feet away from Steve. Took a piss next to Jim Gordon, drummer I think I recall. Also there was some short African guy bouncing around. Only about 20 people in the room...like I said, we we're smokin' it down
The wife and I were talking with Peter Noone. He told us that he was in a club with some other musicians at the time. Some of the band members had their kids with them, so he didn't think anything of it. A 16 Y/O Steve gets up on stage and starts singing. Peter said everyone's mouth just dropped to the floor...
We love going to see Peter whenever he's in town. He has so many stories of the British Invasion musicians and singers. He told us that he was very young in a pub sitting between John Lennon and Graham Nash. They were all just teenagers then. None of them knew what was to come.
Fil, 1967 - summer of love! Met my husband that year, now 53 years married. Fell in love dancing to this kind of music plus the added bonus of the late great Irish singer Joe Dolan! 😘
Great musician Rory was Bob but I only idolised Joe Dolan... 😍 still do although I listen to all sorts. There might be 'snow on the roof' now but I do like a bit of rock and roll!!
The little town I grew up in, in northwest Oklahoma had a “Teen Town” in an underground cinder block building, where there were dances just about every Saturday night and after every home ball game. Local and area live bands played this every time, and you just can’t help but get up and dance. This song takes me back, and I am 17 again!
IT's amazing that a 17 year old can sing like a 35 year old man. Listen to any of the Box Tops' records, and Alex Chilton is the same way, and the same age.
By the time Steve and his brother Muff joined The Spencer Davis Group that ad been gigging around the pubs and clubs in Birmingham since Steve was about 10 years old. His brother Muff became a record producer and has his own recording studios.
Steve Winwood is such a prolific musician. This live version is so joyful! I love the enthusiasm of Steve and the band. And to create the song in hours! Wow! The drummer’s expressions are great! Thanks for the analysis.
@Bobb Grimley I'm not quite sure how you mean your 'good for you". It must have been amazing to witness the origins rather than learn later. I've asked my parents what it was like to see Elvis and the Beatles' first appearances on (north America) television.
I always loved this song and it’s still amazing in 2022!!! Please also feature Betty Wright. She started singing at 13. Her vocal range and versatility were absolutely mind blowing!!! What a legacy she has left behind.
This is absolutely remarkable. I knew about Steve Winwood mainly from his 80s hits like Higher Love. Never connected him with this song until now. What a talent! Thanks, Fil!
Spot on once again, Fil. This video took me back to my first band. "Gimme Gimme Some Lovin" was rising up the US charts and we learned it. I had just turned 12 year and had a Teisco Checkmate combo organ. It be another 5 years before I could afford my first Hammond. Back then we never realized just how much more talented teens like Stevie Winwood, Alex Chilton (Box Tops), Georgie Fame (Flames), etc., than we were. LOL I sang this song and "Light My Fire" barely understanding what I was singing about. :)
I was "only" 14 but in those days we heard this a lot and always played it at our parties! Of course, now after this explanation it suddenly gets another meaning. Thanks, Fil!
The best, most complete analysis of the vocal genius of Steve Winwood I've ever seen. Seeing the graphic illustration of what Winwood was capable of doing at such a young age is mind blowing. Thanks for sharing this. His vocal and keyboard work on Georgia on my Mind is breathtaking. Way too much talent for any one person to have at such a young age.
Hi from Spain again. The friend I had when we first saw Stevie Winwood has a better memory than me. He has told me that we first saw him play in the band Spencer Davis Group in late 1965, I think he was 17, I was 15, I now remember him performing "Keep on running" with his Fender Stratocaster and what I think was called a Fuzz Box" which he used for the heavy distortion guitar lick, his sound was unique at the time. Thanks for posting this video, John.
I can visualize you doing a killer verson of "Gimme Some Lovin'" love the excitement in your voice when you were talking about this live performance. Spencer Davis 17 July 1939 - 19 October 2020.
This is fabulous! Please consider checking out Alex Chilton and the Box Tops, "Cry Like a Baby". Alex had not turned 16 , yet, when the band released their first hit. Teenagers with old soul voices.
Excellent observation. His time with them is a large part of that mid-60's suburban & city atmosphere. It was the music of the time. Just a kid, and he resonates 50+ years later! Wow. "The Letter" was an all-timer. Cocker's rendition is great, as well.
I think his voice might be described as a "spinto tenor"-- pushing that power. In 1981 he had a hit "While You See A Chance", again belting at the top of his range throughout the song. "Gimme Some Lovin'" always sounded really dense and hot played on the radio, compared to much of the other music being played. That organ was really mixed high, but having that heavy bass driving the bottom end. Irresistible and immortal. Their other hit, "I'm A Man" was similarly hot and rocking.
Another great video emphasising the wonder of human talent as opposed to digital manipulation. I was lucky enough to see Steve Winwood supporting Steely Dan a couple of years ago. He played Pretzel Logic with them and his performance was bloody fabulous. What a talent.
That's always been a favorite song. Don't let the simplicity fool you. It's much harder to compose a simple song without padding and over production. Simplicity means every instrument stands out, counts, and is spotlighted! Real classic song !
But one does have to credit their co-producer/Wunderkind Jimmy Miller with the recut, overdubbed version for the U.S. market, back in the day. I think that its most likely the version we all know and love.
I always loved this song, mostly for the hypnotic opening bass riff but, aside from “give me some loving every day” and the occasional “baby”, I could not understand a word of it.
The Bass riff is very catchy and then the keyboard fills match it perfectly. It’s just one of those perfect songs that works! And then the fun shout out Hey! They must have known they had lightning ⚡️ in a Bottle! Instant Classic Hit! Amazing!
Steve Winwood. Instead of naming the bands I'll try to name a song. I'm a Man, Staring at Empty Pages, Sea of Joy, Back in The Highlife. Played on many, many other albums. Hendrix to Gov't Mule. Plus a song that along with the Allmans Midnight Rider became a late night road song for my 70's generation. Can't Find My Way Home. Steve Winwood, what a treasure. Thanks Fil.
Happy birthday Steve Winwood. You were a wunderkind, and everything you've done over the years has been great! You sounded like Ray Charles, and no one else has your feel on the Hammond.
Hi from Spain, I saw the Spencer Davis group twice in 1967, I was 17 at the time and Steve Winwood convinced me to learn guitar, and I still play live at 72. Steve Winwood became my all time favourite musician. I also saw him numerous times with Traffic when I personally found his song writing go to another level especially with Chris Wood on flute, sax etc., Dave Mason on guitar and Jim Capaldi on drums, what a fantastic band. Technically I don't understand how you measure the accuracy of "pitch" but you make it very clear in this video how Steve's voice was so perfectly in tune, and what a vocal range he has. In my opinion one of the best singer/songwriter/musicians of all time.Thanks for the video, it brings back so many great memories, John.
When Winwood was still in school he played the Hammond during UK tours with people like Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Howlin Woolf, BB King, Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley. He learned the blues from some of the best. Before he could legally drink a beer.
Saw Spencer Davis Group around 67/68 at Walsall town hall in the West Midlands at the time 'Gimme some Lovin' was released. You could tell he was something special.
So beautiful thanks Fil. You should start an academy of your own. I so believe that younger & older musicians, singers experienced or not could learn a lot from you.
Great British rock band formed in 1963. They had some big hits such as "Somebody Help Me", "Keep On Running", "I'm A Man", "Gimme Some Lovin'" & "When I Come Home". Steve Winwood & his brother started out in this group. He left in 1967 to form the rock band Traffic & a few years later Blind Faith.
Gregg Allman had that same "old black man's weary voice" at that age too, and it was staggering to hear Winwood channeling J.S. Bach on the B-3 to get that aged-in-the-cask feeling. It was a monster song on the radio.
That's true. I still play the Allmans' Live at Fillmore from '71. It's astonishing to think how young they were at the time, and how young Duane was when he died.
He was an incredible talent, and still is. I was always told he was actually younger than that when he wrote the song, but it might be another myth. Rock ‘n’ Roll was created by the young mostly, apart from Bill Haley. I hope kids today are watching these old clips on RU-vid and realise it’s up to them to shape music and take more risks, because the industry today is in need of another revolution.
Steve was born May 12, 1948; 2 years, 2 months 2 weeks and 2 days before I was in 1950. In 1967 he was 19. 'Give Me Some Lovin' was released October 28, 1966.
Great analysis Fil! You may already know this. I vaguely remember reading that as a young teenager (14 years old maybe?), Steve was allowed to practice his playing on the local church organ in Perry Barr, Birmingham. And he knew the young Christine Perfect (latterly McVie of Fleetwood Mac) and would help her carry her books home from school. I believe Christine's dad was a clergyman so maybe Steve was trying to curry favour and get access to another practice venue! Every Steve Winwood performance that I have heard or seen shows what a superb all-round musician he is, and makes him one of my personal favourites. Thanks Fil. Stay safe and well.
I really enjoyed seeing Steve and the band already with so much talent! The mid to late 1960's are such an important time for Rock and Roll. Another artist who at just a little older than Steve at this time also wrote and still ( he is in his 70's) has the vocal ability to pull off a massive hit. I am a hardcore fan of The Moody Blues. "Days of Future Passed" was released in 1967 and Justin wrote "Nights in White Satin" at age 19. He still does some solo tour dates with his group who perform his hits almost all acoustic including one of the most talented guitar players I have ever seen live. I am in my 60's so I have seen some of the best play LIVE including Stevie Ray Vaughan(he toured with the Moodies for a few dates back in the early 80's) Jethro Tull, Thin Lizzy, Queen, The Eagles with Joe, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Genesis, The Allman Brothers, ZZ TOPP and others. You have got to check out Mike Dawes who does finger style guitar. In the RU-vid from the first tour of Justin's solo group, August 17, 2013 at the Buckhead Theater in Atlanta (the mercury video) Mike does the flute solo in "Nights" on guitar. I was there! Alan Hewitt who played with the Moodies was on the first tour with Justin. Now his group has Mike, Julie Ragins( who toured with the Moodies as well) and a wonderful flue player named Karmen Gould. I was lucky to see them in 2019. I think they are back out doing some concerts again or check out some of the videos. Some fans do great camera work. Thank you for a great channel!
I've been a huge fan of the Moody Blues since the Spring of1968 when I first heard Days of Future Passed. Such a terrific band in concert and Hayward is an exceptional songwriter. Mike Dawes is amazing on guitar as well. I saw both Justin and Steve Winwood at the Ryman one night in Nashville for the Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival. It was a great show.
Just as amazing is Steve Winwood's voice later in life. Clapton and Winwood live at Madison Square Garden 12 years ago was like hearing back in time. Steve is one of the greatest of all time. Timeless and still contemporary.
I was very happy that you analysed a song of Steve Winwood, (Spencer Davis Group) becauae I love to listen to these early recordings. Interesting story how Gimme some lovin'' was composed. 👍 and I hooe that mr Winwood is still singing and playing the organ or piano in 2022!
Thank you, thank you, thank you. Winwood has been one of favorite arts of all time. Ain't nothing he can't do. Great singer, great song writer, great piano and guitar player, and he's a great arranger and producer.
So glad you gave recognition to my favorite band of the time, thank-you. Spencer Davis Group was so talented. Many local band covered the hit from Spencer Davis.
Fil, what I like most about your channel is your sampling and analysis is what I so considered classical taste. You reach way back and choose the right fruit.
I have loved Steve and this song from the beginning (yes, I was around then!). This was THE song played at every dance and party - usually multiple times. It sounds as good today as it did then. Thank you FIL for this analysis and the stories ... always such great information!
I also loved Spencer Davis Group's other big 60s single Keep on Running. Classic pop. I remember that when he had a couple of 'comeback' songs in the 80s (While You See a Chance and Higher Love) radio DJs would rave about his talent. From this video, it's easy to see why! Cheers from Australia 🇦🇺