Singer, songwriter and Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame inductee Dave Mason passed away at his Gardnerville home April 19 at the age of 79.
He was a founding member of the British progressive rock group “Traffic,” which included bandmates Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi and Chris Wood. The group was inducted in 2004.
Tensions with band members resulted in Mason going out on his own and in 1970, released his first solo effort, “Alone Together.”
The album featured 70s rock classics like “Only You Know and I Know” and “World of Changes.”
As a songwriter, Mason composed “Feelin’ Alright” while with “Traffic” a song that became a huge hit in 1969 for Joe Cocker, who featured it on his debut album.
Mason was born in Worcester, England and came to the United States permanently in 1969.
Besides his solo work, Mason was in high demand as a session musician, furnishing backup instrumental work for Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Mick Jagger and others.
In the mid 1990s, he toured as a member Fleetwood Mac.
Over the past few years, he has performed concerts mostly in America, until heart problems force him to retire from the road in 2024.
His family posted a statement saying that, after making dinner with his wife, he sat down in his favorite chair, with his pet Maltese Star at his feet, to take a nap, and “passed away peacefully… surrounded by the beautiful Carson Valley that he loved so much.
He is survived by his wife of eight years, Winifred and a daughter Danielle. His son True passed in 2006.
Photo courtesy of Rob Grabowski.
