Traffic

Traffic is an English rock band from Birmingham, formed in 1967 by Steve Winwood, Dave Mason, Jim Capaldi and Chris Wood after Winwood leaves the Spencer Davis Group. The band remains associated with classic rock, progressive rock, psychedelic rock and related styles, and its early work combines psychedelic rock, soul and British folk elements.

Career

The band is popular in England from the start, although wider success comes more slowly. Its first three albums develop a distinctive sound by mixing psychedelic rock and soul with British folk music. The single Dear Mr. Fantasy, from the album of the same name, becomes its best-known hit.

Traffic later reaches a larger audience through links with Blind Faith. After Cream disbands, Steve Winwood joins Eric Clapton and Ric Grech in Blind Faith, alongside Winwood's temporary Traffic break-up. Grech later becomes a Traffic member.

In 1970, Winwood begins recording a solo album, but after Chris Wood and Jim Capaldi become involved, the record is issued under the Traffic name as John Barleycorn Must Die, despite Dave Mason's absence. Mason then leaves the group for good around 1971 after moving in and out of the band from the beginning.

With later line-up changes, Traffic develops a more jazz-influenced style and helps pioneer jazz-rock. The band's arrangements also become longer and more expansive. The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys and Shootout at the Fantasy Factory help increase its popularity in the United States.

After two more albums, personnel problems lead to the band ending, followed by a brief reunion in 1994 without Chris Wood, who has died in 1983.

Members

Core and later members associated with Traffic include Steve Winwood, Dave Mason, Jim Capaldi, Chris Wood, Ric Grech, Rebop Kwaku Baah, Barry Beckett, Jim Gordon, Rosko Gee, Roger Hawkins and David Hood.

Winwood, Mason, Capaldi and Wood each go on to solo careers, with Winwood achieving the greatest success.