Traffic co-founder Dave Mason dies at 79

Dave Mason, the co-founder of the iconic rock band Traffic, died at 79 on Sunday at his home in Gardnerville, Nevada, just after cooking dinner with his wife, Winifred. He had been battling a serious heart condition in 2024 and had to cancel his 2025 tour due to ongoing health issues. Mason launched Traffic in 1967 with Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi, and Chris Wood, playing a key role in their early albums like Mr. Fantasy and Traffic. He wrote hits such as Hole In My Shoe and Feelin' Alright?, the latter made famous by Joe Cocker and the Jackson 5. After leaving Traffic in 1968, he released his first solo album, Alone Together, in 1970, featuring tracks like Sad And Deep As You. His solo career produced several hits, and he also worked with legends like the Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix. In the 1990s, he joined Fleetwood Mac for their album Time and toured with them. Alongside designer Ravi Sawhney, he started a sustainable electric guitar company in 2004. Traffic was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame that same year. Following his death, friends and fans shared heartfelt tributes on his Instagram.