The rock icon had a prolific solo career plus a stint with Fleetwood Mac
Dave Mason, co-founder of Traffic, has died. The legendary guitarist passed away at his home in Gardnerville, Nevada, according to his publicist, Melissa Dragich. He was 79-years old.
Dave Mason emerged as one of the most versatile and influential British rock musicians of the late 1960s and 1970s, blending rock, folk, blues, and pop into a distinctive, melodic style that has endured for decades. Born on May 10, 1946, in Worcester, England, Mason showed musical promise early, gravitating toward guitar and songwriting as a teenager. He co-founded the seminal band Traffic in 1967 alongside Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi, and Chris Wood, contributing significantly to their eclectic, genre-blurring sound. Mason wrote and sang several of Traffic’s most enduring songs, including “Hole in My Shoe,” a whimsical psychedelic hit that reached the UK Top 10, and he also played a key role in shaping the band’s debut album Mr. Fantasy. However, his tenure with Traffic was famously turbulent—he left and rejoined the group multiple times due to creative differences, preferring a more concise songwriting approach compared to the band’s increasingly experimental direction. Despite the instability, Mason’s influence on Traffic’s early identity was profound, helping establish them as pioneers of progressive and roots-oriented rock.
Following his final departure from Traffic, Mason launched a successful solo career, highlighted by his 1970 album Alone Together, one of the first rock LPs to feature a distinctive marbled vinyl design. Throughout the 1970s, he became known for his warm, expressive guitar tone and introspective songwriting, releasing a string of albums and hits including “Only You Know and I Know” and “We Just Disagree,” the latter becoming his biggest commercial success in the United States. Mason also built a reputation as a highly sought-after collaborator and session musician, working with major artists such as Jimi Hendrix—most notably contributing acoustic guitar to “All Along the Watchtower”—as well as George Harrison and Eric Clapton. In 1994, he briefly joined Fleetwood Mac during a transitional period for the band, stepping in after the departure of Lindsey Buckingham. Mason participated in the Time album and its supporting tour, bringing his seasoned musicianship to the group, though his stint was relatively short-lived and the lineup did not achieve the same commercial or critical success as earlier incarnations of Fleetwood Mac.
Dave Mason’s legacy is defined by both his songwriting craftsmanship and his adaptability across evolving eras of rock music. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004 as a member of Traffic, he remains celebrated for bridging the gap between psychedelic experimentation and radio-friendly songwriting. His work has been widely covered and sampled, and his influence can be heard in generations of singer-songwriters and classic rock artists. Beyond chart success, Mason’s enduring appeal lies in his ability to craft emotionally resonant, melodic songs while maintaining a reputation as a musician’s musician—respected by peers and fans alike for his authenticity, versatility, and lasting contributions to the fabric of rock history.