On this day June 20, 1988, Steve Winwood released his fifth solo album Roll with It. Building on the success of his 1986 album Back in the High Life, this release featured a confident blend of blue eyed soul, rock, and rhythm and blues. The title track Roll with It became a major hit, topping the Billboard Hot 100 and driving the album straight to number one on the Billboard 200.
The album eventually sold over 2 million copies in the United States and reinforced Winwood’s role as a major force in adult oriented rock during the late 80s. With polished production and heartfelt vocals, Roll with It offered a smooth, radio friendly sound that appealed to a wide audience.
80s insight: Roll with It captured the mature side of 80s pop rock, proving that artists who started in the 60s and 70s could still top the charts by adapting their sound without losing their soul.
The album eventually sold over 2 million copies in the United States and reinforced Winwood’s role as a major force in adult oriented rock during the late 80s. With polished production and heartfelt vocals, Roll with It offered a smooth, radio friendly sound that appealed to a wide audience.
80s insight: Roll with It captured the mature side of 80s pop rock, proving that artists who started in the 60s and 70s could still top the charts by adapting their sound without losing their soul.
