Traffic (band)
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1967 in Birmingham, England |
| Founder | Jim Capaldi, Steve Winwood, Chris Wood, Dave Mason |
| Defunct | 1974 (first disbandment), 2005 (final end) |
| Headquarters | Birmingham , England |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Traffic was a British rock ensemble that originated in Birmingham in April 1967, founded by Jim Capaldi, Steve Winwood, Chris Wood, and Dave Mason. Starting as a psychedelic rock outfit, they expanded their musical palette by incorporating keyboards such as the Mellotron and harpsichord, alongside sitar, various reed instruments, and elements of jazz improvisation.
The group quickly gained recognition in the UK with their first album Mr. Fantasy and hit singles including "Paper Sun," "Hole in My Shoe," and "Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush." Their 1968 self-titled record marked their peak British success, featuring the well-known track "Feelin' Alright?" Shortly after, Dave Mason departed to focus on his solo ambitions. Traffic disbanded in early 1969 following Winwood's formation of the supergroup Blind Faith. That same year saw the release of Last Exit, a collection combining studio and live recordings.
Following the breakup of Blind Faith in 1970, Winwood, Capaldi, and Wood reunited Traffic. Their return was marked by John Barleycorn Must Die, which climbed to number 5 on the US charts—their highest American achievement at that time. The 1971 album The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys achieved platinum status in the United States and enjoyed extensive airplay on FM radio, cementing Traffic's reputation as a prominent progressive rock band. Later releases Shoot Out at the Fantasy Factory (1973) and When the Eagle Flies (1974) secured top 10 positions in the US and earned gold certifications, although they had minimal impact in the UK market. The band dissolved once more in 1974.
Steve Winwood embarked on a prosperous solo career during the 1980s with several charting hits; meanwhile, Jim Capaldi attained modest solo success in the UK throughout the 1970s. Chris Wood contributed intermittently as a session musician until his passing in 1983.
In 1994, Winwood and Capaldi brought Traffic back together for a final album and tour. The group was honored with induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. Jim Capaldi died the following year.
1960s: 1967–69
At just 14 years old, Steve Winwood served as lead vocalist for the Spencer Davis Group, which scored numerous Top 10 hits and albums across both UK and US markets. Drummer and vocalist Jim Capaldi along with guitarist and singer Dave Mason had previously been involved with Hellions and Deep Feeling respectively, while woodwind specialist Chris Wood hailed from Locomotive.
The founding quartet first crossed paths in 1965 during jam sessions at The Elbow Room club located in Aston, Birmingham. After Winwood's departure from Spencer Davis Group in April 1967, the four musicians established Traffic. The name was coined by Capaldi while waiting to cross a street in Dorchester; it bore no connection to narcotics trafficking. Soon after formation, they rented a cottage near Aston Tirrold, Berkshire to focus on writing and rehearsing material.
Traffic signed with Chris Blackwell's Island Records, where Winwood’s brother Muff Winwood later assumed roles as producer and executive. Their debut single "Paper Sun" reached number 5 on UK charts and number 4 in Canada. Mason’s psychedelic pop tune "Hole in My Shoe" climbed to number 2 UK and number 4 Canada. The third single "Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush", created for the eponymous 1967 British film, peaked at number 8 UK. Their first album Mr. Fantasy, produced by Jimmy Miller, attained number 16 UK but only managed number 88 in the US.
Towards the end of 1967, Mason exited due to creative disagreements but returned briefly during spring 1968 to contribute five tracks to Traffic’s sophomore album Traffic (1968), including "Feelin' Alright?", which would later be famously covered by Joe Cocker and Three Dog Night. Ongoing artistic and lifestyle clashes prompted Mason’s second departure shortly thereafter. The remaining trio undertook a successful US tour late that year. Additionally, Winwood and Wood collaborated with Jimi Hendrix on his Electric Ladyland project during this period.
Winwood left Traffic early in 1969, effectively dissolving the band; his exit was initially unexplained but later attributed to his wish to progress beyond his previous tenure with Spencer Davis Group. The third Traffic release, Last Exit, arrived in spring 1969 featuring a blend of studio cuts and live performances.
Subsequently, Winwood founded supergroup Blind Faith, which lasted under a year with one album release and a US tour. Meanwhile, remaining members formed Wooden Frog alongside Mick Weaver but disbanded before issuing any recordings.
1970s: 1970–74
Following the dissolution of Blind Faith in 1969, Winwood initiated a solo endeavor that gradually transformed into Traffic’s 1970 album John Barleycorn Must Die, marking their most commercially successful work. The group expanded by adding former Blind Faith bassist Ric Grech. In 1971, after enduring a personal loss, Capaldi transitioned from drums to focus on percussion and vocals; drummer Jim Gordon and percussionist Rebop Kwaku Baah were also incorporated. Dave Mason briefly rejoined for a six-show stint, some of which were captured on the live album Welcome to the Canteen (1971), credited collectively to all seven members rather than solely Traffic.
Following Mason’s exit, Traffic released The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys (1971), which reached the Top 10 in the US and later received gold and platinum certifications. Due to drug-related complications, Grech and Gordon were dismissed by late 1971, while Winwood’s battle with peritonitis caused the band to pause their activities.
During this break, Capaldi embarked on a solo career with Oh How We Danced, collaborating with Muscle Shoals musicians Roger Hawkins and David Hood, who soon joined Traffic as replacements for Grech and Gordon. This revitalized lineup toured the United States in early 1972; a performance in Santa Monica was recorded and subsequently released on video.
Once Winwood recovered, the band issued Shoot Out at the Fantasy Factory in 1973, which enjoyed solid sales despite receiving mixed critiques. The album was supported by an international tour that incorporated keyboardist Barry Beckett. The live album On the Road, recorded during this tour, reached number 40 on the UK Albums Chart. Subsequently, Winwood dismissed the Muscle Shoals musicians to revert to a smaller core group as Chris Wood’s struggles with drug addiction and depression intensified.
Rosko Gee took over bass responsibilities while Capaldi returned behind the drums. Kwaku Baah was removed during sessions for When the Eagle Flies (1974), which achieved another US Top 10 placement and moderate success in the UK. However, a demanding US tour followed, marked by considerable emotional strain. Capaldi observed that only he and Gee remained in good health while Winwood contended with peritonitis and Wood suffered from substance-induced health issues. Winwood abruptly departed mid-tour in Chicago, effectively ending Traffic’s tenure as remaining members declined to proceed without him.
Winwood then pursued his solo career; Gee and Kwaku Baah joined the German band Can. Baah tragically died during a performance in Stockholm in 1983; Capaldi honored him by dedicating his solo album Fierce Heart to his memory. Chris Wood also passed away that year due to pneumonia.
Reunion
In 1994, the last surviving members of Traffic’s final lineup—Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi, and Rosko Gee—came together for a one-time tour. This reunion was inspired by a fan’s voicemail suggestion to Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead during their 1992 tour proposing a joint venture. Traffic served as the opening act for the Grateful Dead that summer, with Randall Bramblett—who had previously collaborated extensively with Winwood—filling the flute and saxophone roles after learning flute specifically for this tour.
Mike McEvoy contributed on keyboards, guitar, and viola, while Walfredo Reyes, Jr. handled drums and percussion duties. Winwood and Capaldi also recorded Far from Home, which reached the Top 40 charts in both the UK and US. The reunion tour was documented on the 2005 double live album and DVD The Last Great Traffic Jam.
On 15 March 2004, all four original members were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Winwood, Capaldi, Mason, and Stephanie Wood (representing her late brother Chris) were present at the ceremony. Winwood and Capaldi performed "Dear Mr. Fantasy," joined by Mason for "Feelin' Alright" alongside Keith Richards, Tom Petty, and the Temptations. Although Bramblett participated musically during the event, he was not inducted.
Plans for future collaborations ceased following Jim Capaldi's death from stomach cancer in January 2005 at age 60, bringing an end to his songwriting partnership with Winwood that had been central to Traffic’s identity. Winwood dedicated The Last Great Traffic Jam to Capaldi as his lifelong friend and creative partner.
In January 2007, Dear Mr. Fantasy, a tribute concert held at London’s Roundhouse featuring Winwood, Paul Weller, Pete Townshend, among others, celebrated Capaldi’s enduring influence. Proceeds from this event benefited the Jubilee Action Street Children Appeal.
Members
| 1967 | 1967–1968 | 1968 | 1968–1969 |
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| Disbanded | 1970 | 1970–1971 | 1971 |
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| 1971–1972 | 1972–1973 | 1973 | 1973–1974 |
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| 1974 | Disbanded | 1994 | 1994 |
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* Rosko Gee - bass * Randall Bramblett - flute,saxophone,keyboards * Michael McEvoy - keyboards,guitar ,viola * Walfredo Reyes Jr. - percussion ,drums | |
| Disbanded | 2004 | ||
* Jim Capaldi - drums * Steve Winwood - vocals,guitar * Randall Bramblett - keyboards,bass pedals |
Studio albums
- Mr. Fantasy (1967)
- Traffic (1968)
- Last Exit (1969)
- John Barleycorn Must Die (1970)
- The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys (1971)
- Shoot Out at the Fantasy Factory (1973)
- When the Eagle Flies (1974)
- Far from Home (1994)
External links
- Articles with short description
- Traffic (band)
- 1967 establishments in England
- 1974 disestablishments in England
- English progressive rock groups
- English psychedelic rock music groups
- Musical groups established in 1967
- Musical groups disestablished in 1974
- Musical groups from Birmingham, West Midlands
- United Artists Records artists