Dave Mason, the fiery British guitarist and songwriter who co-founded the legendary rock band Traffic and wrote classic rock anthems such as “Feelin’ Alright?” and “Hole in My Shoe,” has passed away at 79. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer died peacefully on Sunday, April 19, 2026, at his residence in Gardnerville, Nevada, located in the beautiful Carson Valley.
His passing was announced by his longtime publicist Melissa Dragich, per the Associated Press. Though the official cause of death was not disclosed, Mason had shared in September 2024 that medical professionals had identified a severe heart condition at a routine checkup, leading him to cancel his scheduled tour dates. He declared his retirement from touring in the fall of 2025, attributing the decision to health complications from an infection for “bringing down the curtain on 60 extraordinary years of rock ‘n’ roll.”
According to a message on Mason’s official Instagram account, the rock legend died following “preparing a wonderful meal with his cherished wife Winifred.” The remembrance depicted a peaceful final moment: “He laid down to rest with sweet Star (the Maltese) nearby.”
From Worcester to Rock Royalty
Born on May 10, 1946, in Worcester, England, Mason was performing as a musician during his youth. His significant collaboration with drummer Jim Capaldi started in the mid-1960s when both were members of the Hellions, and his work as road manager for the Spencer Davis Group connected him to the exceptionally talented young Steve Winwood.
In 1967, Mason, Winwood, Capaldi and saxophonist and flautist Chris Wood established Traffic, which became one of the most important bands of the psychedelic movement. The four musicians isolated themselves in a cottage on the Berkshire Downs to create and develop songs, helping establish the “getting it together in the country” philosophy that would influence rock music for years to come.
Mason made substantial contributions to Traffic’s initial two albums, including the 1967 psychedelic masterpiece “Dear Mr. Fantasy.” He penned “Hole in My Shoe,” which reached No. 2 on the UK singles charts, as well as “Feelin’ Alright?,” which became an enormous success following interpretations by Joe Cocker, Three Dog Night, the Jackson 5, Grand Funk Railroad, and many more.
His connection to Traffic was notoriously volatile. Mason exited and re-entered the group several times — dismissed following the second record, then momentarily rejoining in 1971 — before leaving permanently later that year. Traffic earned induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, a recognition that solidified the band’s permanent cultural significance.
A Solo Career and Storied Collaborations
After departing Traffic, Mason embarked on a solo journey in 1970 with the well-received album “Alone Together,” which featured beloved tracks including “Only You Know and I Know,” “Sad and Deep as You,” and “Look at You, Look at Me.” Throughout subsequent years, he achieved commercial success with “Shouldn’t Have Took More Than You Gave,” Jim Krueger’s “We Just Disagree,” “So High (Rock Me Baby and Roll Me Away)” and “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow.”
His recordings received three gold certifications from the Recording Industry Association of America — “Alone Together,” 1974’s “Dave Mason” and 1978’s “Mariposa de Oro” — plus one platinum certification, 1977’s “Let It Flow.” Equally noteworthy was Mason’s remarkable background as a featured musician and studio contributor. He participated in some of rock’s most celebrated works: the Rolling Stones’ “Beggars Banquet” (performing shehnai on “Street Fighting Man”), Jimi Hendrix’s “Electric Ladyland” (where he played the 12-string acoustic on the legendary rendition of Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower”), George Harrison’s “All Things Must Pass,” and Paul McCartney and Wings’ “Venus and Mars,” where he performed on “Listen to What the Man Said.”
During the 1990s, Mason became a member of Fleetwood Mac for the band’s 16th record, “Time,” and toured alongside them from 1994 to 1995 after Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks departed. In 2004, he ventured into business, establishing RKS Guitars — an environmentally responsible electric guitar manufacturer — alongside industrial designer Ravi Sawhney.
Tributes Pour In From the Rock World
Mason’s previous bandmate Steve Winwood shared a touching remembrance across social media. “We were deeply saddened to hear of Dave Mason’s passing,” Winwood stated. “Dave was part of Traffic during its earliest chapter and played an important role in shaping the band’s sound and identity during that time. His songwriting, musicianship and distinctive spirit helped create music that has lasted far beyond its era, and continues to mean so much to listeners around the world. Those years remain a special part of the band’s story, and Dave’s contribution to them is not forgotten. His place in that history will always be remembered, and through the music, his presence endures.”
Musician and songwriter Stephen Bishop, who performed alongside Mason in the early 1970s, recalled his colleague affectionately on Instagram. “I was always a fan of his early work with Traffic. I especially love his song Only You Know And I Know,” Bishop said, noting Mason was “always kind” and “an incredible guitar player.”
Fleetwood Mac drummer Mick Fleetwood, a childhood companion of Mason’s from England, also honored the departed guitarist. Fleetwood disclosed that the two maintained lifelong pet names derived from the classic children’s novel “The Wind in the Willows” — Mason was “Toad,” and Fleetwood was “Badger.” “Sweet David Mason left this world, but not without a reminder of heartfelt songs that question the meaning of life, with the understanding of such insight into life’s puzzle,” Fleetwood expressed.
The Instagram statement from Mason’s family reflected the scope of his artistic impact: “He leaves a lasting imprint on the soundtrack of our lives and the hearts he has lifted. His legacy will be cherished forever.”
Mason is survived by his spouse, Winifred Wilson; daughter Danielle; nephew John Leonard; niece Michelle Leonard; and brothers-in-law Sloan Wilson and Walton Wilson. He was preceded in passing by his son, True, and his sister, Valerie Leonard. Spanning from the psychedelic movement of the late 1960s through the stadium rock of the 1970s and onward, Dave Mason’s guitar mastery and musical compositions played a key role in establishing contemporary rock music — a contribution that, via his recordings, persists.