Dave Mason, the co-founding Traffic guitarist, noted solo artist and famed songwriter, has died. He was 79.

A statement issued this evening explained, “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 & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, celebrated songwriter, musician, singer, and author passed away peacefully at his home in Gardnerville, NV. He is survived by his beloved wife and partner, Winifred Wilson, his daughter Danielle, nephew John (Trish) Leonard and niece Michelle Leonard, as well as his brothers in law Sloan (Claudia) Wilson and Walton (Barbara Sims) Wilson. He was preceded in death by his son, True and his sister, Valerie Leonard. Dave Mason lived a remarkable life devoted to the music and the people he loved. “

The guitarist, who wrote Traffic’s iconic tracks “Hole in My Shoe” and “Feelin’ Alright?” and had a solo hit with “We Just Disagree”, also contributed music to a range of other artists after parting ways with Traffic and was briefly a member of Fleetwood Mac in the 1990s. He continued to tour under his own name into 2024, before cancelling his entire 2025 tour “due to ongoing health challenges.”

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