A founding member of Traffic and co-writer of "The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys," Jim Capaldi, died of cancer in a London hospital Friday. He was 60.

ADVERTISEMENT

Capaldi succumbed to stomach cancer surrounded by family, the BBC reported.

Capaldi, who was inducted with Traffic into the U.S. Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame last year, was described by his longtime manager, John Taylor, as "one of the most influential songwriters, not only of his generation but in the history of popular music culture."

Capaldi, a drummer, wrote many of Traffic's hits, with album sales topping 25 million. The band split in 1979 and regrouped in 1993 to record a new album, "Far From Home."

He also worked with artists such as Eric Clapton, George Harrison and Paul Weller.

Capaldi is survived by his wife, Aninha, and their two children.