Tributes paid as ‘incredibly talented’ Traffic musician Dave Mason dies at 79

Musician Dave Mason, known for co-founding British rock band Traffic, has been remembered as “incredibly talented” with a “cherished legacy” after his death at the age of 79.

The guitarist and songwriter “passed away peacefully in his favourite chair” on Sunday at his home in Gardnerville, Nevada, according to a post on his official Instagram page.

The post, which was flooded with tributes from friends and fans, said the rocker died after “cooking an amazing dinner with his beloved wife Winifred”, and described his death as a “storybook ending, on his own terms”.

It added: “He leaves a lasting imprint on the soundtrack of our lives and the hearts he has lifted. His legacy will be cherished forever.”

Mason had revealed he was undergoing treatment for a “serious heart condition” in September 2024, before cancelling 2025 tour dates because of “ongoing health issues”.

US songwriter Stephen Bishop, known for hits including On And On and It Might Be You, paid tribute to Mason on Instagram, writing: “I am very sorry to hear about the passing of my friend Dave Mason.

“We did a show together back in the early 70s, and I remember how incredibly talented he was.

“I was always a fan of his early work with Traffic. I especially love his song Only You Know And I Know. We stayed in touch through the years, and he was always kind to me and an incredible guitar player.

“My heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, and fans.”

Mason rose to fame after co-founding Traffic in 1967, alongside frontman Steve Winwood, drummer Jim Capaldi and flute-turned-saxophone player Chris Wood.

The Worcester-born star appeared on the band’s first two albums – Mr Fantasy (1967) and Traffic (1968) – and has been credited for writing some of their greatest hits such as Hole In My Shoe.

He also wrote the band’s hit Feelin’ Alright?, re-recorded by stars including Joe Cocker and the Jackson 5.

Traffic were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, with Mason acknowledged for his role as a founder of the band and his contributions during their early years.

Mason left Traffic in 1968 and released his debut solo album Alone Together in 1970, which contained some of his most highly regarded songs such as Sad And Deep As You and Look At You, Look At Me.

He went on to produce hits including Feelin’ Alright, Shouldn’t Have Took More Than You Gave, We Just Disagree, Let It Flow and Every Woman during a successful solo career.

Mason also worked as a session musician, collaborating with the Rolling Stones on their song Street Fighting Man, and teaming up with rocker Jimi Hendrix for his cover of Bob Dylan’s hit All Along The Watchtower.

During a six-decade career, Mason worked with acclaimed musicians including Sir Paul McCartney, Michael Jackson, Graham Nash and David Crosby.

He also briefly joined Fleetwood Mac for a stint in the 1990s for their 16th studio album, Time, and toured with them from 1994 to 1995.

In 2004, Mason started a sustainable electric guitar company with industrial designer Ravi Sawhney, and their instruments were played by musicians such as Mick Jagger, Ronnie Wood and Keith Richards.