Article Contributed by Mike
Published on 2026-04-22
photos by moran
Dave Mason, the gifted guitarist, songwriter, and founding member of Traffic, has died at the age of 79. News of his passing was confirmed this week by family statements. Mason leaves behind a long and respected career that stretched from the British rock explosion of the 1960s through decades of touring, recording, and songwriting.
For many listeners, Dave Mason’s name will forever be tied to “Feelin’ Alright”, the enduring song he wrote while still a teenager in Traffic. The tune became a classic through Mason’s original version and later through Joe Cocker’s powerhouse interpretation. Mason also wrote and sang Traffic favorites like “Hole in My Shoe”, helping shape one of the most adventurous bands of the era.
Traffic, formed with Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi, and Chris Wood, blended rock, folk, jazz, and psychedelia in ways that still sound fresh. Mason’s songwriting instincts added melody and accessibility while never losing the experimental edge that made the band special. Though he moved in and out of the group during its early years, his fingerprints were always there.
Beyond Traffic, Mason built a strong solo career that often flew a little under the radar but earned deep loyalty from fans. His 1977 hit “We Just Disagree” remains one of the great soft-rock songs of its time — warm, honest, and timeless. He also scored with songs like “Only You Know and I Know,” and continued making records well into later life.
Mason’s career was also marked by collaboration. He worked with Jimi Hendrix, George Harrison, Eric Clapton, The Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, and many others. He played on Hendrix’s legendary version of “All Along the Watchtower,” one of many examples of how often his musicianship appeared in important places.
For Grateful Web readers, Dave Mason represented a type of artist we always respect: a lifer. He kept playing. He kept writing. He kept showing up for the music. Even when trends changed, he stayed rooted in craft rather than fashion.
There was nothing flashy about the way Dave Mason carried himself. He simply made strong songs, played tasteful guitar, and helped soundtrack multiple generations. That kind of legacy lasts.
Rest easy, Dave. And thanks for the songs.
Essential Dave Mason Listening:
Feelin’ Alright
Hole in My Shoe
We Just Disagree
Only You Know and I Know
Dear Mr. Fantasy (with Traffic)
40,000 Headmen (with Traffic)
