Traffic Co-Founder Dave Mason Dies at 79

Dave Mason, the influential guitarist, singer, and songwriter best known as a founding member of the rock band Traffic, has died at the age of 79.

According to reports, Mason passed away on April 19, 2026, at his home in Gardnerville, Nevada. The news was confirmed by his representatives and shared through official statements from his family. No immediate cause of death was disclosed.

Born David Thomas Mason on May 10, 1946, in Worcester, England, he first rose to prominence in 1967 as a founding member of Traffic alongside Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi, and Chris Wood. The band quickly became one of the most innovative groups of the late-1960s British rock scene, blending rock, psychedelic influences, and progressive experimentation.

Mason wrote and performed some of the band’s most memorable material, including “Hole in My Shoe” and “Feelin’ Alright?”—the latter becoming a widely covered classic, most famously recorded by Joe Cocker.

Although his tenure with Traffic was marked by periods of leaving and rejoining the band due to creative differences, Mason remained an important contributor to its early sound. Traffic was eventually inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, recognizing the band’s impact on rock music.

Following his work with Traffic, Mason launched a successful solo career that included numerous albums and hit songs. One of his biggest solo successes came with the 1977 single “We Just Disagree,” which became a staple of classic rock and adult contemporary radio.

Throughout his decades-long career, Mason collaborated with many of the biggest names in music. His résumé included work with artists such as Jimi Hendrix, the Rolling Stones, George Harrison, Eric Clapton, and Fleetwood Mac, highlighting his reputation as a respected guitarist and songwriter.

Even later in life, Mason remained active in music and continued touring extensively until health issues forced him to step back from the road in recent years.

Mason is remembered as a versatile musician whose songwriting and guitar work helped shape the sound of classic rock during the late 1960s and beyond. He is survived by his wife, Winifred Wilson, his daughter Danielle, and other family members.