Dave Mason Dies at 79; Winwood Honors His Traffic Legacy
Dave Mason Dies at 79; Winwood Honors His Traffic Legacy
Traffic co-founder Dave Mason has died at 79 in Gardnerville, with Steve Winwood paying tribute to his lasting influence on the band and classic rock.
Dave Mason, a founding member of Traffic, has died at 79 in Gardnerville, Nevada. Steve Winwood publicly paid tribute, calling Mason’s contribution to Traffic essential in shaping the band’s sound and identity. He noted that Mason’s songwriting, musicianship, and distinctive spirit helped create music that continues to resonate with listeners around the world. Mason’s passing marks the end of a storied chapter in rock history and prompts reflection on the early days of one of Britain’s most influential groups.
Traffic formed in 1967 with Mason, Winwood, drummer Jim Capaldi, and keyboardist-saxophonist Chris Wood. Mason briefly left the band after the recording of their debut LP, Mr. Fantasy, which features the enduring track Dear Mr. Fantasy, but rejoined six months later. His departure for a second time came after sessions for 1968’s Traffic and 1969’s Last Exit, a move that wasn’t strictly voluntary. The group dissolved soon after when Winwood joined Eric Clapton in Blind Faith, though Traffic reconvened in 1970 for the comeback album John Barleycorn Must Die, with Mason not involved.
Mason did return for a third and final stint in the summer of 1971, appearing for six concerts, one of which was captured on the live album Welcome to the Canteen. Although the band re-formed for a reunion tour in 1994, Mason’s active involvement with Traffic waned after that period, with his name and voice forever tied to the group’s early, defining era. Beyond Traffic, Mason also wrote and performed classic material—most notably co-founding the band’s early sound and contributing to tracks that would become rock staples.
The broader arc of Mason’s career is also defined by his solo work and enduring songs, which some listeners still identify with the Traffic era. In later years, ensembles and critics have revisited Mason’s role in creating a sound that blended rock, folk, and a touch of jazz influence, helping to shape the direction of classic rock during the 1960s and beyond. His absence will be felt by fans who associate his guitar textures and distinctive voice with the emblematic strings of Traffic’s most celebrated moments. Mason’s legacy, built on a willingness to explore and experiment, remains a touchstone for musicians who value adventurous arrangements and memorable melodies.
As fans and fellow musicians remember Mason, the focus returns to the music he helped create and the influence that continues to echo through classic rock. His presence endures not only in the recorded work but in the spirit of a band whose early work helped redefine a generation of rock listeners.
