KMKanDrum
- Jul 6, 2021
- 2 min read

"Back in the High Life" by Steve Winwood Drum Cover

This is my rendition of "Back in the High Life" by Steve Winwood. I watched a bunch of videos on this song, from concert videos to other drum covers, and I took parts from some of the ones I liked best and made my own version. Nothing is as smooth as JR Robinson's take. The guy is a machine.

Speaking of this song and the drums, I have an interesting story. No idea if there is any truth to it at all. When I heard it I was a little kid and I heard it in a conversation my uncle was having with someone else, so I may have heard it incorrectly. But anyway, how I understood it was that it was my uncle who actually recorded the drum track on this song and not John Robinson.

Back in the day, it wasn't uncommon for multiple session artists to record and perform on certain songs, especially when the budget was limitless (as in Steve Winwood's case), and the record company, producers, and the powers that be knew a song was going to be a hit. Also, if you listen to John and my uncle, they are very similar in style, approach, and even sound, especially back in the '80s. Both drummers were known in the same circles of musicians and engineers and producers and whatnot. And add in the fact that James Taylor is singing backup vocals on the track.

In any case, it was an interesting story. I'm quite certain he probably recorded a version of the song. But I doubt it actually made it to the final take. I don't see how they could make an error like that. But interesting nonetheless.

OK, here's my cover. Please enjoy!

Song: Back in the High Life

Artist: Steve Winwood

Album: Back in the High Life (1985 Island Records)

Original Drummer: John "JR" Robinson

Music: Drumless track via XTRAX Stems

Take Count: 13

Equipment:

- DW Design Piano Black Drumset

9x10, 10x12, 14x16, 18x22

- Ludwig Black Beauty 5x14 Snare Drum

- DW Blue Pearl Oyster 5x12 Side Snare