Dave Mason, the singer-songwriter and guitarist with Traffic and briefly Fleetwood Mac, has died at the age of 79.
The news was confirmed in a statement from his publicist, who said: “On behalf of his family, it is with deep and profound sadness that we share the news of the passing of Dave Mason. On Sunday, April 19, the Rock & Rock Hall of Fame inductee, celebrated songwriter, musician, singer and author passed away peacefully at his home in Gardnerville, Nevada.”
“Dave Mason lived a remarkable life devoted to the music and the people he loved,” it added.
From a prolific career that saw him play with an extensive range of musical legends, Mason is best remembered for his time with the British psych-rock band Traffic, writing and singing lead vocals on two of their biggest songs, ‘Hole In My Shoe’ and ‘Feelin’ Alright?’, the latter becoming a hit for Joe Cocker.
He was also behind the hit songs ‘Only You Know And I Know’, which became associated with the band Delaney & Bonnie, and ‘We Just Disagree’, a 1977 solo hit for Mason. During his career, Mason played alongside The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney and Wings, Michael Jackson and Fleetwood Mac.
Born on May 10, 1946 in Worcester, he began playing guitar aged 16, influenced by Buddy Holly, and became a roadie for the Spencer Davis Group in the mid-’60s, where he met Steve Winwood. When Winwood left the band in 1967 and formed Traffic, he hired Mason on guitar and they quickly scored multiple Top Ten hits in the UK.
Mason was fired from Traffic in 1968, and he became an in-demand session player, contributing 12-string guitar on Hendrix’s ’All Along The Watchtower’ and playing the Asian instrument the shehnai on the Stones’ ‘Street Fighting Man’.
He was also a part of the sessions for Harrison’s ‘All Things Must Pass’, and after relocating to the US, he toured with Clapton on the Delaney & Bonnie & Friends tour in the early ‘70s.
Mason also released a string of solo albums in the ‘70s and ‘80s, including a full-length collaboration with Cass Elliot, and he also played guitar on Paul McCartney and Wings’ 1975 hit ‘Listen To What The Man Says’, and teamed up with Michael Jackson on ‘Save Me’ in 1980.
He later joined Fleetwood Mac in 1993, playing on their album ‘Time’ two years later, and he would rejoin Traffic a number of times, including for their induction into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.
Late last year, Mason announced his retirement from touring, citing health challenges. “He retires from touring a happy man with a heart full of gratitude to his band members, business colleagues, and especially his legions of fans who made his life one of deep satisfaction and fulfilment,” a statement read. “The immensity of his joy remains solid as he steps back from the stage.”
Mason is survived by his wife Winifed Wilson, his daughter Danielle, nephew John Leonard and niece Michelle Leonard.
