Traffic Co-Founder and Rock Hall Inductee Dave Mason Dies Aged 79

Traffic Co-Founder and Rock Hall Inductee Dave Mason Dies Aged 79
​

​Dave Mason, the celebrated singer, songwriter and guitarist best known as a co-founder of Traffic, has died at the age of 79. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee passed away peacefully at his home in Gardnerville, Nevada on Sunday, April 19, according to a statement from his publicists.

“On behalf of his family, it is with deep and profound sadness that we share the news of the passing of Dave Mason,” the statement reads, adding that he “lived a remarkable life devoted to the music and the people he loved.”

Born in England in 1946, Mason rose to prominence in the late 1960s with Traffic, contributing songwriting and lead vocals to standout tracks including “Hole in My Shoe” and “Feelin’ Alright?”—the latter becoming a widely covered classic, with versions recorded by artists such as Joe Cocker, The Jackson 5 and John Belushi.

Beyond his work with Traffic, Mason forged a successful solo career, beginning with 1970’s Alone Together, which reached No. 22 on the Billboard 200 and included the hit “Only You Know and I Know.” His 1977 album Let It Flow proved a commercial high point, earning platinum status and spawning the enduring single “We Just Disagree.”

A highly sought-after collaborator, Mason worked with an extraordinary list of artists across decades, including George Harrison, Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and Michael Jackson. His guitar work features on iconic recordings such as Hendrix’s “All Along the Watchtower,” the Stones’ “Street Fighting Man,” McCartney’s “Listen To What The Man Said,” and Harrison’s All Things Must Pass.

Traffic initially disbanded in 1974 after releasing 11 albums, four of which reached the top 10 on the Billboard 200. The band reunited in the mid-1990s for a tour, while Mason later returned to the stage with drummer Jim Capaldi in 1998.

In 2004, Mason was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Traffic, alongside a class that included Prince, ZZ Top, Jackson Browne and Bob Seger.
​
Mason remained musically active into his later years, releasing his most recent solo album, A Shade of Blue, in 2025. However, he recently stepped back from touring after six decades on the road, citing ongoing health issues.