After performing in the bands the Spencer Davis Group, Traffic, Blind Faith, Ginger Baker's Air Force and Go, he launched a solo career in 1977.

Winwood's self-titled debut album was released on Island Records in June 1977.

His 1982 follow-up album Talking Back to the Night did not produce any hits in the United States.

Back in the High Life (1986) was aimed more towards pop music, selling three million copies in the United States.

"Freedom Overspill", "Back in the High Life Again" and "The Finer Things" became major hits in the United States between 1986 and 1987.

Winwood released his next album, Junction Seven, in 1997, which gained mixed reviews and had less success.