Traffic

Traffic formed in 1967 (after Steve Winwood left The Spencer Davis Group) and were the first act signed to the new Island Records label. The group achieved immediate success with the singles Paper Sun and Hole In My Shoe. Their debut album, Mr Fantasy, was also a hit in the UK album charts.

Friction between Winwood and Mason saw the latter depart from the band in December although he subsequently re-joined for their self-titled second album in 1968. The reunion was short-lived however, as Winwood fired him during their US tour and announced he was breaking up the band.

Steve Winwood then formed Blind Faith with Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker and Rick Grech, but the new band lasted less than a year. Both Traffic and Blind Faith had officially ceased to exist by the end of 1969 when Winwood called up Wood and Capaldi to help him on a solo project called John Barleycorn Must Die. The album was ultimately released under the Traffic moniker and the band were back in action again (sans Mason) with their most successful album to date.

The re-born group began a grueling touring schedule, occasionally augmented on stage by Dave Mason, Rick Grech on bass and violin, Jim Gordon on drums and Muscle Shoals sessionmen David Hood (bass) and Roger Hawkins (drums). More personnel changes and problems within the band eventually saw Traffic call it a day in 1974.

Winwood and Capaldi reunited under the Traffic name in 1994 for a one-off tour and an album of new material. Sadly, Chris Wood did not take part - He had died in 1983 from alcohol-related liver failure.

Plans for a further reunion were cut short by Capaldi's death, aged 60, in January 2005. Dear Mr Fantasy was a celebration for Jim Capaldi that took place at the Roundhouse in Camden Town, London on Sunday 21 January 2007. Guests included Steve Winwood, Paul Weller, Pete Townshend, and many more.