Whatever Happened to Steve Winwood of Traffic?

circa 1970: British experimental psychedelic rock group Traffic, with founder member, the young multi-instrumentalist Stevie Winwood, Chris Wood, Jim Capaldi and Dave Mason. — Keystone/Getty Images

Keystone/Getty Images

What To Know

Steve Winwood recently paid tribute to his former bandmate Dave Mason.
Winwood’s career began in the 1960s with the Spencer Davis Group and Traffic.
Now 77, Winwood continues to perform selectively and was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 2025.

If you were listening to rock in the late ’60s or turning on the radio in the ’80s, you probably heard Steve Winwood without even realizing it. Winwood built an impressive music career with the band Traffic and as a solo artist, which never fully slowed down, even when he stepped out of the spotlight at times. Sadly, Winwood is in the news again after the death of his former Traffic bandmate.

Winwood shared a tribute to Dave Mason, who passed away on April 19 at the age of 79. He said, according to Rolling Stone, “We were deeply saddened to hear of Dave Mason’s passing. Dave was part of Traffic during its earliest chapter and played an important role in shaping the band’s sound and identity during that time. His songwriting, musicianship, and distinctive spirit helped create music that has lasted far beyond its era and continues to mean so much to listeners around the world. Those years remain a special part of the band’s story, and Dave’s contribution to them is not forgotten. His place in that history will always be remembered, and through the music, his presence endures. At this sad time, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and all those who loved him and his music.”

Promotional portrait of English pop musician Steve Winwood (of the group Traffic) as he stands outside, hands behind his back, 1980s

Island Records/Universal/Courtesy of Getty Images

So, what has Winwood been up to in recent years? First, let’s rewind to his start.

Winwood was born May 12, 1948, in Birmingham, England, and started performing as a child, even playing clubs with his father while still underage. By the mid-1960s, he was already a major voice in the Spencer Davis Group, singing on hits like “Gimme Some Lovin'” and “I’m a Man” before leaving in 1967 to form Traffic. Traffic became one of the defining bands of that period, with Winwood handling most of the vocals, keyboards, and a large portion of the songwriting alongside drummer Jim Capaldi. Songs like “Dear Mr. Fantasy” and “The Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys” helped establish the band’s sound, which blended rock with jazz and folk influences in a way that stood out at the time.

After Traffic first split in 1969, Winwood briefly formed Blind Faith with Eric Clapton, but that group lasted only one album. He then returned to Traffic in 1970 for John Barleycorn Must Die, before the band eventually dissolved again in 1974. His biggest commercial run came in the ’80s, after he fully shifted to solo work. Back in the High Life in 1986 produced “Higher Love,” which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and won Grammy Awards, and he followed that with another No. 1 single, “Roll with It,” in 1988.

Leon Neal/Getty Images

Even after his chart success slowed, he kept working. His most recent studio album, Nine Lives, was released in 2008, and he has continued to tour regularly, including a 2024 run with The Doobie Brothers. Traffic was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, and in 2025, Winwood was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire for his contributions to music. Today, Winwood, 77, splits his time between England and Nashville with his family and still performs selectively.