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Jim Capaldi.


Traffic's legendary Capaldi dies

30jan05

JIM Capaldi, the drummer who found fame with 1960s British rock legends Traffic, has died aged 60.

Capaldi, who formed the group with Steve Winwood, had stomach cancer.
Traffic had Top Five hits with Paper Sun and Hole in My Shoe in 1967 and enjoyed multiplatinum success with 10 album releases.

Their blend of rock, folk and psychedelic music was hugely influential in the '60s and '70s.

Capaldi also wrote many of their songs in a musical career that spanned four decades.

Outside Traffic, Capaldi had another hit with a version of the Everly Brothers song Love Hurts in 1975. He also wrote the song that marked the return of the Eagles in 1996, Love Will Keep Us Alive.

He died early yesterday in a London clinic. "He passed away peacefully at 2.30am with his family at his bedside," a spokesman said.

Friend and manager John Taylor said: "He was one of the most influential songwriters, not only of his generation, but in the history of popular music culture."

Yeah that's too bad, he was a great drummer and they were a great band. If all you know of Winwood is his solo stuff or even Blind Faith check out Traffic's late 60's albums, incredible stuff. I wouldn't call their stuff folk music though, that's a real stretch. Check out 40,000 Headmen.

I saw him a few times with Traffic at the Santa Monica Civic(2000 seat arena). Great memories. The shows after the John Barlycorn album were never the same. Added players and different kinds of songs, although, I loved his spotlight with "Rock 'N' Roll Soup.

Capaldi and just a couple of weeks ago Spencer Dryden. Two great dummers of those great times. No better LPs from Traffic than John Barleycorn, Low Sparks...hell, they were all pretty fine!

At least they got to play together one last time at the Rock and Roll HOF induction last year.

Traffic was great. As much as I loved their early stuff I still think their last album which Capaldi played on .. When the Eagle Flies.. was one of their best. Check out the bass line on Dream Gerrard.

bummer

I saw Traffic (but don't remember much) at the Cincinnati rock festival in 1970. I recently found a tape of this concert on the net. What a great concert! Traffic does John Barley Corn and a few other electric tunes.

Yeah they were back from the time when no two bands sounded alike.

1970 was the John Barlycorn Tour, which was supposed to be a solo Steve Winwood album. Just the three of them onstage, singing songs from that album and all the Traffic oldies.