Dave Mason has sadly passed away at the age of 79. He was best known for co-founding legendary rock group Traffic along with Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi and Chris Wood. The band was formed in 1967.
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Mason's death was confirmed by his family, with a statement being provided to PEOPLE.
"On behalf of his family, it is with deep and profound sadness that we share the news of the passing of Dave Mason," a spokesperson told PEOPLE. "(The) Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, celebrated songwriter, musician, singer, and author passed away peacefully at his home in Gardnerville, Nev."
He leaves behind his wife, Winifred, along with his daughter, Danielle. Currently, there's no information regarding what led to his death. It's worth noting that Mason had been battling serious health issues in recent years.
According to Page Six, Mason developed a "severe infection" in 2024, which lasted for over a year, even forcing him to postpone going on tour.
"I'm incredibly grateful to my team of doctors," Mason wrote in a statement in 2025. "This has been challenging territory, to say the least."
Mason left the group following their first album. However, he returned in 1971, and made a second comeback with the group in 2004. During his time away from Traffic, Mason pursued a solo career, among other things.
Traffic Is Still a Popular Group to This Day
According to Spotify, Traffic still has a sizeable fanbase. The music streaming service shows the group receives over 800,000 monthly hits across their entire library. "Dear Mr. Fantasy" is Traffic's most popular release on the platform, drawing over 82 million streams all-time.
"Feelin' Alright?" is second on Traffic's most-popular list, garnering 34.3 million hits, with "Light Up Or Leave Me Alone" ranking third on 16.4 million.
When you look at the longevity Traffic has enjoyed, it's clear that their music will continue to stand the test of time. And for Mason's family, they will undoubtedly find solace in the ability to hear his voice at the touch of a button.
For now, though, Mason's loved ones will be in a period of mourning. No information regarding his upcoming funeral has been made public.
