The music world lost a distinctive voice when Dave Mason passed away on Sunday at the age of 79. Known as a founding member of Traffic and the composer of the enduring song “Feelin’ Alright”, Mason later carved out a successful solo path highlighted by the soft-rock staple “We Just Disagree”, co-written with Jim Krueger. On behalf of his family, a statement published alongside remembrances noted that Mason “lived a remarkable life devoted to the music and people he loved.” No cause of death was released.
Born May 10, 1946, in Worcester, England, David Thomas Mason overcame a serious childhood accident that left him hospitalized for 18 months and forced him to relearn to walk. His early ambition to join the Royal Air Force shifted when he picked up the guitar at 16 and began performing professionally. That restlessness and musical curiosity would define a career that moved between bands, studio sessions, headline tours and philanthropic efforts.
From Midlands beginnings to Traffic’s cottage sessions
Mason’s first groups included The Jaguars and The Hellions, where he forged a lasting songwriting partnership with Jim Capaldi. The two cut their first song together as a B-side and later formed The Deep Feeling. When Steve Winwood and Chris Wood joined Capaldi and Mason, the quartet became Traffic. The band famously retreated to the countryside to craft material for their debut, an organic process that produced hits like “Hole in My Shoe”—which reached No. 2 in the U.K.—and helped shape the sound of Mr. Fantasy. Mason’s lighter, melodic sensibility contrasted with Winwood’s style, and he contributed sitar, acoustic textures and several vocal tracks before departing the group amid creative friction.
Solo success, session work and storied collaborations
Solo records and chart fortunes
After leaving Traffic, Mason pursued a solo career in the U.S., signing with Blue Thumb Records and releasing albums like Alone Together. The mid-1970s brought his greatest commercial success: 1977’s Let It Flow went platinum on the strength of the single “We Just Disagree”, which reached No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. He also recorded a duet album with Cass Elliot and continued to put out music across decades, including archival and new recordings released in the 2000s and 2010s.
Session contributions and famous peers
Mason’s career is notable for extensive session work and high-profile collaborations. He played acoustic 12-string on Jimi Hendrix’s recording of “All Along the Watchtower”, contributed to George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass, appeared on recordings associated with the Rolling Stones and sang on tracks linked to Hendrix and The Beatles. He also performed and recorded with artists ranging from Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney and Graham Nash to Michael Jackson, appearing on a duet and contributing songs to film soundtracks. His fluid movement between frontman duties and supporting roles led him to quip that his career sometimes resembled a musical version of Forrest Gump.
Challenges, later projects and lasting impact
Mason faced business and personal obstacles: disputes with record labels led to contentious releases and legal battles, and he publicly battled addiction before returning to recording and touring. He appeared on stage and screen—most notably in the roller-disco film Skatetown, U.S.A.—and remained an active live performer, at times playing hundreds of shows a year with the Dave Mason Band and ensembles like Traffic Jam. In 2004, Mason and Traffic were honored with induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, with Dave Matthews delivering the induction remarks.
In his later years Mason continued to share music and memories, releasing albums such as 26 Letters, 12 Notes after a long gap, and compilations that revisited his catalog. He announced his retirement from touring due to health reasons, expressing gratitude for fans and collaborators. Beyond music, Mason supported numerous causes: he backed Little Kids Rock, helped found Yoga Blue to assist people recovering from substance abuse, and established Rock Our Vets to aid homeless veterans. These philanthropic endeavors formed an important strand of his legacy alongside his songwriting and performances.
Dave Mason’s career intersected with some of rock’s most significant figures and moments, leaving a body of work that includes classic songs, memorable sessions and decades of live shows. With a catalogue spanning band anthems and intimate ballads, his musical voice—marked by melodic warmth, nimble guitar work and a collaborative spirit—remains woven into the tapestry of modern rock. Fans, colleagues and beneficiaries of his charity work remember him as an artist who kept creating, connecting and giving right up to the end.