Gardnerville, Nevada
News Desk | Entertainment
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member Dave Mason Dies of the British band Traffic and writer of the enduring standard Feelin’ Alright?, died Sunday, April 19, at his home in Gardnerville, Nevada, according to officials and a statement from his family. He was 79. A spokesperson for Mason’s family told People and USA TODAY that the musician “passed away peacefully at his home in Gardnerville, Nev.” after spending the evening cooking dinner with his wife, Winifred Wilson. The family statement said he sat down to take a nap with their Maltese, Star, at his feet and died in his favorite chair, “surrounded by the beautiful Carson Valley that he loved so much.”
Dave Mason was born David Thomas Mason on May 10, 1946, in Worcester, England, the report stated. He co-founded Traffic in 1967 with Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi and Chris Wood. The group’s 1967 debut Mr. Fantasy and 1968 follow-up Traffic included Mason-penned songs “Hole in My Shoe” and “Feelin’ Alright?”, the latter later popularized by Joe Cocker, the report stated. Traffic was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, with the induction made by Dave Matthews, according to officials. Mason left Traffic after the release of its first album, later reuniting with the band in 1971 and again in 2004, the report stated.
As a solo artist and session musician, Dave Mason recorded the 1977 hit “We Just Disagree” and contributed to recordings by Jimi Hendrix on Electric Ladyland, George Harrison on All Things Must Pass, the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, and Fleetwood Mac, the report stated. He briefly joined Fleetwood Mac in the mid-1990s and toured with the group in 1994 and 1995, according to the report. In a 2024 interview with USA TODAY, Mason described himself as “kind of the Forrest Gump of rock,” the report stated.
In recent years, Dave Mason faced a series of health issues, according to officials. In September 2024, he canceled fall tour dates after a serious heart condition was discovered during a routine checkup, the statement said. Mason underwent heart valve replacement surgery on November 11, 2024, and later wrote that he was “home with strong vitals after an overnight stay,” the report stated. In March 2025, representatives announced he was hospitalized with a “severe infection,” prompting the cancellation of spring tour dates, and in June 2025 he canceled all remaining 2025 tour dates citing “ongoing health issues stemming from the infection I battled in March,” according to posts on his official accounts.
Despite the cancellations, Mason released his 21st studio album, A Shade of Blues, on March 21, 2025, featuring appearances by Joe Bonamassa, Michael McDonald, and Warren Hill, the report stated. He also published a memoir, Only You Know and I Know, in September 2024, according to the report. In late 2024 and early 2025, statements from Dave Mason team said he had “officially announced his retirement from touring” after 60 years, citing ongoing health challenges, the report stated.
Dave Mason moved permanently to the United States in 1971, the report stated. He is survived by his wife Winifred Wilson; daughter Danielle; and several nieces and nephews, according to the family. The cause of death was not disclosed in the statements released by the family and representatives.
Dave Mason lived a remarkable life devoted to the music and the people he loved, the spokesperson said. He leaves a lasting imprint on the soundtrack of our lives and the hearts he has lifted. His legacy will be cherished forever, the family statement added.
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