Dave Mason, the British singer and guitarist who co-founded the rock band Traffic and enjoyed a star-studded solo career, has died at the age of 79. A statement from his representative confirmed that Mason passed away peacefully on Sunday at his home in Gardnerville, Nevada. “Dave Mason lived a remarkable life devoted to the music and the people he loved,” the statement read.
Born in Worcestershire in 1946, Mason formed Traffic with Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi and Chris Wood. The band released their debut album Mr Fantasy in 1967, and Mason wrote and sang their biggest UK hit, Hole in My Shoe, which reached number 2. However, tensions with Winwood led to Mason leaving and rejoining the group several times. He wrote the classic Feelin’ Alright?, which became a hit for many artists including Joe Cocker.
After leaving Traffic permanently, Mason collaborated with some of the biggest names in music. He played acoustic guitar on Jimi Hendrix’s All Along the Watchtower, contributed to the Rolling Stones’ Street Fighting Man, and appeared on George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass. He also worked with Eric Clapton in Derek and the Dominos and spent time with Fleetwood Mac in the 1990s, playing on their album Time.
Mason released 15 solo studio albums, with 1977's Let It Flow achieving platinum status and producing the hit single We Just Disagree. He also founded the RKS guitar company, whose instruments were used by members of the Rolling Stones. In 2024, he published his memoir Only You Know & I Know, and continued touring until announcing his retirement in 2025 due to ill health.
