Jim Capaldi was a major figure on the British rock scene from the 1960s into the new millennium; he achieved stardom as both a founding member of Traffic and as a successful solo artist, and was an accomplished songwriter and instrumentalist who collaborated with some of the most prestigious artists of his day. As a solo artist, Capaldi was a versatile performer with a wide dynamic range, though his warm, gently passionate vocals and melodic frameworks often reflected his roots in soul and blues music. He was also a gifted lyricist who helped write some of Traffic's best-known tunes. 1975's Short Cut Draw Blood was one of his best early solo efforts, 1981's Let the Thunder Cry featured one of his best-known hits, "Old Photographs," and his swan song, 2004's Poor Boy Blue, saw him bow out with a strong and compelling set.