R.I.P. Dave Mason (Traffic)

Dave Mason, the co-founding guitarist of Traffic and notable solo artist and songwriter, has died at the age of 79 at his home in Nevada. No further details were disclosed.

An official statement issued said, “On behalf of his family, it is with deep and profound sadness that we share the news of the passing of Dave Mason. On Sunday, April 19, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, celebrated songwriter, musician, singer, and author passed away peacefully at his home in Gardnerville, NV. He is survived by his beloved wife and partner, Winifred Wilson, his daughter Danielle, nephew John (Trish) Leonard and niece Michelle Leonard, as well as his brothers in law Sloan (Claudia) Wilson and Walton (Barbara Sims) Wilson. He was preceded in death by his son, True and his sister, Valerie Leonard. Dave Mason lived a remarkable life devoted to the music and the people he loved. “

The guitarist was best known for writing Traffic songs, “Hole in My Shoe” and “Feelin’ Alright?”, had a charting solo hit with “We Just Disagree,” and was also briefly a member of Fleetwood Mac in the 1990s, when Buckingham and Nicks had left the group.

Mason also worked with numerous other musicians on recording projects, including playing on Jimi Hendrix’s “Electric Ladyland,” George Harrison’s “All Things Must Pass” and Traffic member Jim Capaldi’s “Oh How We Danced,” along with playing a couple of instruments on the Rolling Stones’ “Street Fighting Man.” He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004 along with Traffic, and even co-founded a respected guitar-making company.

Though born in Worcester, England, he moved to the US in 1969 and spoke with mostly an American accent. His most recent full-length was 2023’s A Shade of Blues and he continued to tour into 2024, before having to cancel his 2025 tour “due to ongoing health challenges.”