The reunion tour of seminal U.K. rock act Traffic has been cancelled due to illness suffered by founding member Jim Capaldi. The drummer was diagnosed last week with a severe gastric ulcer that will require treatment. The group’s first trek since 1994 was due to begin Oct. 1 in San Francisco and visit North American theaters.
Capaldi and frontman Steve Winwood were due to be backed on the road by such sidemen as Rosko Gee, Randall Bramblett and Walfredo Reyes. Tour rehearsals were slated to begin next month in London.
Traffic initially reunited this spring to perform at its induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame — minus original member Dave Mason, who played only at the show-closing jam. Winwood and Capaldi embarked on a 1994 reunion trek that found them performing at the Woodstock 25th anniversary concert and opening a host of shows for the Grateful Dead; Mason was working with Fleetwood Mac at the time.
Winwood just completed a run of European dates in support of his latest solo studio album, “About Time” (Wincraft Music/Sci Fidelity). His fall plans were unknown at deadline.
Source billboard.com.
