The Spencer Davis Group introduced singer and keyboardist Steve Winwood to the world along with his brother Muff Winwood on bass. The group began when Spencer Davis was a lecturer on German at the University of Birmingham, in England, moonlighting as a musician. In 1963 he met drummer Pete York and they persuaded the Winwood brothers to leave their traditional jazz band and join them in the Spencer Davis Group.

Their biggest hit was "Gimme Some Lovin'," written by Davis and both Winwoods. "I'm a Man" also hit the top ten in 1967. Steve Winwood left to form Traffic and his brother, Muff, went on to produce acts like Dire Straits and Squeeze.

York and Winwood were members of a British super group formed in 1967 called Eric Clapton and The Powerhouse. Eddie Hardin, who replaced Steve Winwood in the Spencer Davis Group, got together with Pete York in 1969 and formed Hardin and York.