Dave Mason, Traffic Co-Founder & Solo Star, Dead at 79

Dave Mason (Photo by Chris Jensen, used with permission)

Dave Mason, the singer-songwriter-guitarist who co-founded Traffic, then went on to a lengthy solo career, has died. His publicist issued the following statement:

“On behalf of his family, it is with deep and profound sadness that we share the news of the passing of Dave Mason. On Sunday, April 19, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, celebrated songwriter, musician, singer and author passed away peacefully at his home in Gardnerville, NV. He is survived by his beloved wife and partner, Winifred Wilson, his daughter Danielle, nephew John (Trish) Leonard and niece Michelle Leonard, as well as his brothers in law Sloan (Claudia) Wilson and Walton (Barbara Sims) Wilson. He was preceded in death by his son, True and his sister, Valerie Leonard. Dave Mason lived a remarkable life devoted to the music and the people he loved.”

Mason had announced his retirement from touring in September 2025, citing “health challenges.” Prior to that, in November 2024, it was announced that Mason had undergone successful heart valve replacement surgery. He was 79 at the time of his death.

A press release issued at the time of his retirement announcement read, “Dave Mason’s career spans an incredible six decades, first rising to fame as the co-founder of the groundbreaking band Traffic. His successful solo career followed, producing classics like ‘Only You Know and I Know,’ ‘Shouldn’t Have Took More Than You Gave,’ ‘We Just Disagree,’ ‘Let It Flow’ and ‘Every Woman.’

“…Mason lent his talent to some of the most iconic songs of our time, collaborating with Jimi Hendrix, Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, Graham Nash, Cass Elliot, Michael Jackson, Fleetwood Mac, Delaney & Bonnie, Spencer Davis Group, Eric Clapton, among others. His imprint on rock music is undeniable and monumental.”

Mason’s memoir, ‘Only You Know & I Know’

Born David Thomas Mason on May 10, 1946, in Worcester, England, he began playing guitar at 16, performing with bands called the Jaguars and the Hellions. According to a feature story on Mason by Michael Eck that appeared previously in Best Classic Bands, the Hellions “featured a drummer named Jim Capaldi, who, after the group morphed into Deep Feeling, introduced Mason to his pals Chris Wood and Steve Winwood—the latter fresh off of scoring hits like ‘Keep On Running’ ‘Gimme Some Lovin’’ and ‘I’m a Man’ with the Spencer Davis Group.”

Deep Feeling became Traffic and Mason recorded with the band for its debut album, 1967’s Mr. Fantasy (the U.S. version of which featured his song “Hole in My Shoe”), then left the band, only to return in time to contribute to the self-titled followup LP, which included his composition “You Can All Join In.” He then left the band again.

Session work followed, including high-profile stints with Jimi Hendrix, the Rolling Stones, George Harrison and others. Mason’s solo career began in earnest with the 1970 release of Alone Together, an album on the Blue Thumb label that was notable for its release on marble-swirl-colored vinyl. Mason followed that up with a collaborative album with Cass Elliot of the Mamas and the Papas. He moved over to Columbia Records in 1973 and scored his highest-charting single for that label in 1977, “We Just Disagree,” written by Jim Krueger; it peaked at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Mason released his final album of new material, A Shade of Blues, in March 2025, his first set composed entirely of blues material. It includes guest appearances by Joe Bonamassa, Michael McDonald and others. Mason’s memoir, Only You Know and I Know, arrived September 10, 2024.

Related: Many other music greats have passed away in 2026.

Watch Mason perform “We Just Disagree” at Farm Aid in 1986

Mason’s recordings are available for purchase here.