Dave Mason, the British guitarist and songwriter whose work with Traffic and as a solo artist produced enduring classics like “Feelin’ Alright?” and “Hole in My Shoe,” died peacefully at his Nevada home. He was 79.
Mason passed away on Sunday, April 19, 2026, at his residence in Gardnerville, Nevada, located in the Carson Valley. A post on his official Instagram page described how the musician died after “cooking an amazing dinner with his beloved wife Winifred,” then sat down to rest with “sweet Star (the Maltese) at his feet.”
The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer had stepped away from performing in the fall of 2025, announcing his retirement from touring and citing health issues stemming from an infection for “closing the curtain on 60 remarkable years of rock ‘n’ roll.” Doctors had discovered a serious heart condition during a routine appointment in September 2024, prompting him to cancel his remaining tour dates. Longtime publicist Melissa Dragich confirmed his death, according to the Associated Press, though no official cause was provided.
Traffic and the Psychedelic Era
Born on May 10, 1946, in Worcester, England, Mason was performing professionally by his teenage years. His collaboration with drummer Jim Capaldi started in the mid-1960s when they both played in the Hellions, and while working as road manager for the Spencer Davis Group, he met a young Steve Winwood.
Traffic emerged in 1967 when Mason, Winwood, Capaldi and flautist and saxophonist Chris Wood formed one of the psychedelic era’s most influential groups. The quartet famously withdrew to a cottage in Berkshire to develop their material, establishing the “getting it together in the country” philosophy that would influence rock for decades.
Mason’s contributions to Traffic’s first two albums, including the 1967 psychedelic classic “Mr. Fantasy,” were substantial. He penned “Hole in My Shoe,” which reached No. 2 on the British singles charts, and “Feelin’ Alright?,” which became a monumental hit through covers by Joe Cocker, Three Dog Night, the Jackson 5, Grand Funk Railroad, and numerous other artists.
His tenure with Traffic was turbulent and intermittent. Fired after the second album, he briefly rejoined in 1971 before leaving permanently that same year. The band received induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, recognizing its lasting influence.
Solo Success and Chart Achievements
Mason’s solo career launched in 1970 with the acclaimed “Alone Together,” which yielded fan favorites including “Only You Know and I Know,” “Sad and Deep as You,” and “Look at You, Look at Me.” His subsequent releases produced hits 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.”
The Recording Industry Association of America certified three of his albums gold: “Alone Together,” 1974’s “Dave Mason” and 1978’s “Mariposa de Oro.” His 1977 release “Let It Flow” achieved platinum status.
Session Work With Rock Icons
Mason’s session work produced an impressive legacy across landmark albums. He played shehnai on “Street Fighting Man” from the Rolling Stones’ “Beggars Banquet,” and contributed the 12-string acoustic guitar on Jimi Hendrix’s iconic cover of Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower” for “Electric Ladyland.” His guitar also appeared on George Harrison’s “All Things Must Pass” and Paul McCartney and Wings’ “Venus and Mars,” where he played on “Listen to What the Man Said.”
Following Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks’ departures from Fleetwood Mac, Mason joined the band for their 16th studio album, “Time,” and toured with them from 1994 to 1995. In 2004, he ventured into business by co-founding RKS Guitars, a sustainable electric guitar company, with industrial designer Ravi Sawhney.
Remembrances From Fellow Musicians
Steve Winwood posted a heartfelt tribute on social media to his former bandmate. “Dave played an important role in shaping the band’s sound and identity,” Winwood wrote. “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.”
Singer-songwriter Stephen Bishop, who performed with Mason in the early 1970s, posted his memories on Instagram. He praised Mason’s early work with Traffic, particularly “Only You Know And I Know,” noting that Mason was always kind and an incredible guitar player.
Mick Fleetwood, the Fleetwood Mac drummer who knew Mason from childhood in England, also paid tribute. Fleetwood disclosed that the two childhood friends carried nicknames from the children’s book “The Wind in the Willows” throughout their lives — 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 said.
The family’s Instagram announcement emphasized his enduring influence: “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 wife, Winifred Wilson; daughter Danielle; nephew John Leonard; niece Michelle Leonard; and brothers-in-law Sloan Wilson and Walton Wilson. He was preceded in death by his son, True, and his sister, Valerie Leonard. From the psychedelic revolution of the late 1960s to the arena rock of the 1970s and beyond, Dave Mason’s guitar work and songcraft helped shape the very fabric of classic rock — a presence that, through the music, endures.