Dave Mason died Sunday at his home in Gardnerville, Nevada. He was 79. No cause of death was given, though Mason had canceled his Traffic Jam Tour in 2024 after doctors warned him against all touring activity due to a serious heart condition, and he announced his retirement from the road in 2025.
His Instagram account described a quiet, peaceful end. After cooking dinner with his wife Winifred, Mason sat down in his favorite chair, the family's Maltese at his feet, and did not wake up. "A storybook ending," the statement read. "On his own terms. Which is how he lived his life right up until the end."
Mason co-founded Traffic in March 1967 alongside Steve Winwood, drummer Jim Capaldi, and flautist Chris Wood. The band became a defining force of the psychedelic era, and Mason contributed some of its best-known material. He wrote "Hole in My Shoe," which reached No. 2 on the British singles charts, and "Feelin' Alright," a song Traffic recorded but never hit with — until Joe Cocker turned it into a landmark opener on his 1969 debut album. The Jackson 5 and John Belushi also recorded versions. Mason played sitar on Traffic's debut single "Paper Sun" and contributed guitar work across the band's early albums, though his relationship with the group was fractious. He left and returned at least twice before Traffic finally disbanded in 1974.
His reach as a session player was remarkable. Mason's 12-string guitar can be heard on Hendrix's "All Along the Watchtower" from the "Electric Ladyland" album. He played on the Rolling Stones' "Beggars Banquet" during the turbulent period following Brian Jones's departure, contributed to Paul McCartney's "Listen to What the Man Said," and played on George Harrison's acclaimed solo collection "All Things Must Pass." Over the years he also worked with David Crosby, Graham Nash, Cass Elliot, Leon Russell, and Michael Jackson.
Mason launched his solo career in 1970 with "Alone Together," which peaked at No. 22 on the Billboard 200. His 1977 album "Let It Flow" went platinum and produced "We Just Disagree," which became one of his most recognized songs. His final studio album, "A Shade of Blue," was released in 2025.
In 2004, Mason was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Traffic, alongside Prince, ZZ Top, Jackson Browne, and Bob Seger. Bandmates Capaldi and Winwood performed "Dear Mr. Fantasy" at the ceremony. Capaldi died the following year from stomach cancer. Mason returned to the Hall in 2009 for an acoustic set that included "Dear Mr. Fantasy" and his own take on Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower."
He is survived by his wife Winifred Wilson, daughter Danielle, nephew John Leonard, niece Michelle Leonard, and brothers-in-law Sloan Wilson and Walton Wilson. He was preceded in death by his son True and his sister Valerie Leonard.
