Musician Dave Mason, best known for co-founding rock band Traffic, has died at the age of 79.
The guitarist and songwriter started the British group in 1967 alongside frontman Steve Winwood, drummer Jim Capaldi and flautist-turned-saxophonist Chris Wood.
Mason, born in Worcester, appeared on the band’s first two albums, Mr Fantasy and Traffic, and has been credited for writing some of its greatest hits, such as Hole In My Shoe.
Mason had revealed he was undergoing treatment for a “serious heart condition” in 2024 and passed away peacefully on Sunday at home in Gardnerville, Nevada, a post on his official Instagram page said.
The post, which was followed by tributes from friends and fans, stated he died after “cooking an amazing dinner with his beloved wife Winifred”.
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.”
The musician wrote the band’s hit Feelin’ Alright? – re-recorded by stars including Joe Cocker and the Jackson 5.
In 1968, Mason left Traffic, which was later inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.
He released, in 1970, his debut solo album Alone Together, which contained some of his most highly regarded songs such as Sad And Deep As You and Look At You, Look At Me.
US songwriter Stephen Bishop, known for hits including On And On and It Might Be You, said on Instagram he had done a show with his friend in the early 1970s and remembered “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.”
Mason went on to produce hits including Shouldn’t Have Took More Than You Gave, We Just Disagree, Let It Flow and Every Woman during his solo career.
He also worked as a session musician, collaborating with the Rolling Stones on the song Street Fighting Man and teaming up with rocker Jimi Hendrix for his cover of Bob Dylan’s hit All Along The Watchtower.
He joined Fleetwood Mac in the 1990s for their 16th studio album, Time, and toured with them, before later starting a sustainable electric guitar company with industrial designer Ravi Sawhney in 2004.
