Dave Mason, Traffic Co-Founder and Rock Legend, Dies at 79
Dave Mason, the prolific British singer-songwriter and guitarist, best known as a co-founder of the iconic rock band Traffic, has passed away peacefully at his home in Nevada at the age of 79.
The music world mourns the loss of Dave Mason, the British singer, songwriter, and guitarist who co-founded the rock band Traffic before embarking on a successful solo career. His representative confirmed that Mason died peacefully at home in Gardnerville, Nevada, on April 19th. No cause of death was given. He was 79 years old.
Born in Worcester, England, Mason honed his guitar skills by playing along to records by Elmore James, Buddy Guy, and George Benson. In 1967, he co-founded Traffic, a band fronted by the incredibly talented singer and multi-instrumentalist Steve Winwood. Traffic quickly gained recognition, achieving UK chart success with tracks like "Paper Sun" and Mason's own composition, "Hole in My Shoe."
Dave Mason
Despite a somewhat turbulent relationship with the band, marked by departures and returns, Mason remained a pivotal figure in Traffic. He penned and performed notable hits, including the widely covered "Feelin' Alright?," which was later popularized by artists like the Jackson 5, Joe Cocker, and Gladys Knight & the Pips.
Mason initially left Traffic after their 1967 debut album, Mr. Fantasy, but rejoined to contribute to their self-titled follow-up. Internal disagreements led to his departure once again. However, the band invited him back for occasional live performances, including the shows that were compiled into the 1971 live album, Welcome to the Canteen.
Reluctantly embracing a solo career, Mason released Alone Together in 1970, featuring collaborations with Leon Russell and his Traffic bandmate Jim Capaldi. He achieved a string of Billboard hits and became a sought-after collaborator. Notably, he played 12-string acoustic guitar on Jimi Hendrix’s rendition of Bob Dylan’s "All Along the Watchtower" and contributed backing vocals to "Crosstown Traffic." His contributions extended to recordings by the Rolling Stones (“Street Fighting Man”) and post-Beatles projects, including George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass and Wings’ “Listen to What the Man Said.”
Mason later established an electric guitar company, RKS, and toured with Fleetwood Mac in the 1990s. He and Traffic were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. A statement released on behalf of his family concluded, “Dave Mason lived a remarkable life devoted to the music and the people he loved.”
In a statement, Winwood shared that Mason’s “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.”
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