Goodbye to Dave Mason (Traffic, Fleetwood Mac)

Dave Mason, best known as a co-founder of Traffic, a stint in Fleetwood Mac and a solo artist, died on Sunday at the age of 79.

A statement announced:

“On behalf of his family, it is with deep and sincere sadness that we share the news of Dave Mason’s passing. On Sunday, April 19, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, celebrated songwriter, musician, singer and writer, passed away peacefully at his home in Gardnerville, NV. Dave Mason lived an extraordinary life dedicated to music and the people he loved.”

Co-founder of Traffic. He wrote and recorded several songs on the group’s 1967 debut “Mr. Fantasy” and its subsequent 1968 self-titled album, sharing vocals with Steve Winwood – he sings “Feelin’ Alright” and “Hole in My Shoe.”

Mason collaborated with the Jimi Hendrix Experience on the album “Electric Ladyland”, in which he played 12-string guitar on “All Along the Watchtower”, with the Rolling Stones (he played the shannai on “Street fighting man”), with Paul McCartney’s Wings (he played guitar on “Listen To What the Man Said”); and played electric and acoustic guitars on George Harrison’s “All Things Must Pass” album.

After leaving Traffic, Mason briefly returned to the band for the 1971 live album “Welcome to the Canteen.” In the same year he moved to California and embarked on a solo career, releasing around ten albums between the 70s and 80s.

He then joined Fleetwood Mac in 1993: and recorded one album with the band (“Time”, 1995) before leaving shortly after. In the following years he released new solo works, the latest of which, “A Shade of Blues”, was released in March 2025.

In recent years, Mason had had an intense live activity, but last September his retirement from touring due to health problems was announced.

Mason, along with his former bandmates in Traffic, was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.