Travis

Formation and Early Years

Travis was formed in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1990 by Fran Healy (vocals, guitar), Andy Dunlop (guitar), Dougie Payne (bass), and Neil Primrose (drums). The band takes its name from the character Travis Henderson in Wim Wenders’ film Paris, Texas.

The Man Who and Breakthrough Success

After a debut Britpop album (Good Feeling, 1997), The Man Who (1999) marked a shift toward melancholic folk-rock, selling over 3 million copies in the UK. The singles “Why Does It Always Rain on Me?” and “Driftwood” became modern classics.

The Invisible Band (2001) and the hit single “Sing” confirmed their success. The band is often cited as a major influence on groups such as Coldplay and Keane.

At the 1999 Glastonbury Festival, Travis performed under heavy rain, and Fran Healy sang “Why Does It Always Rain on Me?”—at the exact moment he delivered the lyric, the rain stopped and the sun broke through the clouds. Captured on camera, this moment became part of the festival’s legend and elevated the song to iconic status.