Traffic co-founder Dave Mason has died. He was 79.
The legendary musician’s family confirmed his passing in a statement to People on Wednesday sharing their “deep and profound sadness.”
A spokesperson for Mason’s loved ones wrote that the “Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, celebrated songwriter, musician, singer and author passed away peacefully at his home in Gardnerville, Nevada,” on Sunday.
“Dave Mason lived a remarkable life devoted to the music and the people he loved,” the rep concluded.
The guitarist is survived by wife Winifred Wilson and daughter Danielle, as well as several nieces and nephews.
His cause of death is not yet known at this time.
Mason, notably, made headlines for health struggles in recent years.
In 2024, he developed a “severe infection” that he was still “courageously battling” the following year, which forced him to postpone touring.
“I’m incredibly grateful to my team of doctors,” he wrote in a statement last year. “This has been challenging territory, to say the least.”
Mason is best known for co-founding Traffic in 1967 along with Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi and Chris Wood.
During his time with the group, Mason wrote two of their biggest hits — “Feelin’ Alright?” and “Hole in my Shoe.”
Although Mason left the band after their first album came out, he returned in 1971 and again in 2004.
Not only did he pursue solo projects during his time away, including releasing the hit song “We Just Disagree” in 1977, but he collaborated with the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and more icons.
He even joined Fleetwood Mac and plays guitar on the group’s 1995 album, “Time.”
Mason reflected on his career in a 2020 Rock Cellar interview, revealing he didn’t “like standing up there in front of the spotlight” and felt “very uncomfortable.”
He said, “I’m not a rock star, let’s put it that way. I never wanted to be. I just wanted to write great music, make some money and have fun. And when I was younger, meet girls.”
