Traffic was one of the most unique and musically adventurous bands to emerge from the late 1960s rock scene. Formed by a group of young but experienced musicians—including Steve Winwood, Dave Mason, Jim Capaldi, and Chris Wood—the band blended rock, jazz, folk, and psychedelic elements into a sound that defied easy classification.
Their rise, disbandments, reunions, and personal struggles shaped a journey that remains influential today. Here’s a closer look at how Traffic made its mark on rock history.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Band Name | Traffic |
| Formed | 1967, England |
| Founding Members | Steve Winwood, Dave Mason, Jim Capaldi, Chris Wood |
| Genres | Progressive Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Jazz Fusion, Folk Rock |
| Key Albums | Mr. Fantasy, Traffic, John Barleycorn Must Die, The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys |
| Notable Singles | “Feelin’ Alright,” “Paper Sun,” “Empty Pages” |
| Rock Hall Induction | 2004 |
| Final Album | Far From Home (1994) |
| Years Active | 1967–1974, 1994 |
Steve Winwood’s Early Success
Steve Winwood’s music career began early. In 1963, at just 15 years old, he joined the Spencer Davis Group alongside his brother Muff Winwood, Spencer Davis, and drummer Pete York. The group found success on both sides of the Atlantic with hits like “Gimme Some Lovin’” and “I’m a Man.”
Despite the fame, Winwood left the group in 1967. He was ready for a new creative direction—and that same year, he founded Traffic.
Formation of Traffic
View this post on Instagram
Winwood teamed up with:
-
Dave Mason (guitar/vocals)
-
Jim Capaldi (drums/vocals)
-
Chris Wood (saxophone/flute)
The four musicians moved into a remote cottage in Berkshire, England, where they began writing and rehearsing songs together. Their early sessions produced a mix of folk, blues, and psychedelic rock, setting the tone for the band’s exploratory style.
Breakthrough Singles and First Album
Traffic signed with Island Records, the same label that had supported the Spencer Davis Group. Their debut single, “Paper Sun,” written by Capaldi and Winwood, hit #5 in the UK. The follow-up, Mason’s “Hole in My Shoe,” was an even bigger hit, reaching #2.
However, tension arose within the band. Mason preferred a pop-psychedelic direction, while the others leaned toward blues and folk rock. These creative differences led Mason to leave the group just as their debut album, Mr. Fantasy (1967), hit the shelves. The album reached #8 in the UK and #88 in the US.
Mason’s Return and Second Album
In 1968, Mason briefly returned to contribute to Traffic’s self-titled second album. He brought with him “Feelin’ Alright,” which would later be covered by Joe Cocker and Three Dog Night.
Despite the album’s success—#9 in the UK and #17 in the US—Mason was let go again during the tour. Soon after, Winwood decided to leave as well, and Traffic disbanded in early 1969.
Blind Faith and Wooden Frog
After Traffic’s breakup:
-
Winwood co-founded the supergroup Blind Faith with Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker, and Ric Grech.
-
Mason, Capaldi, and Wood teamed up with organist Wynder K. Frog to form the short-lived Wooden Frog.
These projects were brief but hinted at each member’s musical ambitions beyond Traffic.
Traffic Reborn: John Barleycorn Must Die
View this post on Instagram
Though Traffic had dissolved, Winwood still owed Island Records two more albums. He began work on a solo project but invited Capaldi and Wood to collaborate. The result: John Barleycorn Must Die (1970).
The album marked Traffic’s rebirth and became their biggest success so far:
-
Peaked at #5 in the US, #11 in the UK
-
Featured the hit “Empty Pages” (#74 US Pop)
Blending folk traditions with progressive rock, the album earned critical praise and a new wave of fans.
Expanded Lineup and Welcome to the Canteen
Traffic expanded its lineup to support a more complex, layered sound. New members included:
-
Ric Grech (bass)
-
Jim Gordon (drums)
-
Rebop Kwaku Baah (percussion)
In 1971, they released Welcome to the Canteen, a live album recorded during UK dates. It reached #26 on the US chart but failed to chart in the UK.
The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys
Later in 1971, Traffic released their studio album The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys:
-
#7 on the US Billboard 200
-
Certified platinum in the US
-
Did not chart in the UK
Though it was another hit, internal issues re-emerged. Grech and Gordon left the band. Around the same time, Winwood fell seriously ill with peritonitis, forcing the band into hiatus.
Recovery and Return: Shoot Out at the Fantasy Factory
Winwood recovered and brought Traffic back in 1973. The new lineup included:
-
Roger Hawkins (drums)
-
David Hood (bass)
Their next album, Shoot Out at the Fantasy Factory, reached the US Top 10 despite mixed reviews. It featured members of the famed Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section and was followed by a world tour. The live album On the Road documented this tour.
Final Split and Farewell Albums
In 1974, Traffic released When the Eagle Flies. It marked the band’s final studio effort before disbanding again. Exhaustion, departures, and personal challenges contributed to the split.
Members pursued solo careers:
-
Winwood found success with solo hits like “Higher Love”
-
Capaldi released the well-received Oh How We Danced (1972)
-
Wood battled health and substance issues
Wood passed away in 1983 from pneumonia (some sources cite liver failure).
Final Reunion and Legacy
In 1994, Winwood and Capaldi reunited to release Far From Home, Traffic’s final album. It peaked at #29 in the UK and #33 in the US. The band also briefly toured that year.
Jim Capaldi died in 2005 from stomach cancer, ending any future Traffic reunions.
In 2004, the original lineup—Winwood, Capaldi, Wood, and Mason—was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, cementing their place in music history.
Legacy of Traffic
Traffic’s music never stayed in one lane. They mixed genres, experimented with sounds, and created songs that resisted simple labels. While their commercial success was greater in the US than the UK, their artistic impact was global.
From psychedelic pop to jazz-rock fusion, Traffic helped shape progressive rock and left behind a discography full of ambition and soul.