Dave Mason, Traffic Co-Founder and Rock Legend, Passes Away at 79

Dave Mason, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and co-founder of the legendary band Traffic, died on Sunday. He was 79 years old.

Mason’s family confirmed his passing in a statement shared with Rolling Stone on Tuesday, writing,

“Dave Mason lived a remarkable life devoted to the music and people he loved.”

No cause of death was immediately disclosed. The announcement follows Mason’s retirement from touring in May 2023, when he cited “ongoing health challenges” as the reason for his decision.

At the time, his team stated,

“Dave Mason’s legacy is a testament to the enduring power of rock n’ roll and to a man who has followed his passion with authenticity and joy for more than six decades. His music will continue to inspire and resonate for generations to come.”

Traffic and Early Career

Mason co-founded Traffic in 1967 alongside Jim Capaldi, Chris Wood, and Steve Winwood. He contributed to one of the band’s most iconic songs, “Feelin’ Alright,” which was later famously covered by Joe Cocker in 1969. Mason’s involvement with Traffic was intermittent, as he left and rejoined the group multiple times throughout his career.

Solo Success and Collaborations

In 1977, Mason achieved solo chart success with “We Just Disagree,” a song he co-wrote with Jim Krueger. He also produced and performed on several other notable tracks, including:

• “Only You Know and I Know”
• “Shouldn’t Have Took More Than You Gave”
• “Let It Flow”
• “Every Woman”

Mason collaborated with numerous music legends over the years, including:

• George Harrison
• The Rolling Stones
• Jimi Hendrix
• Eric Clapton
• Michael Jackson
• David Crosby
• Graham Nash
• Fleetwood Mac

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Born David Thomas Mason in Worcester, England, on May 10, 1946, Mason initially aspired to join the Royal Air Force. However, by age 16, he shifted his focus to music, learning guitar and joining the band The Jaguars. Within a year, he was performing professionally and later formed The Hellions, where he met future Traffic bandmate Jim Capaldi.