Dave Mason, co-founder of Traffic who wrote 'Feelin' Alright?,' dies at 79

Dave Mason, a founding subordinate of the British psychedelic stone set Traffic who wrote immoderate of their best-known songs including “Feelin’ Alright?” and “Hole successful My Shoe,” has died. He was 79.

The vocalist and guitarist died Sunday astatine his location successful Gardnerville, Nev., his publicist confirmed to the Associated Press. No origin of decease was given.

“On Sunday, April 19, aft cooking an astonishing meal with his beloved woman Winifred, [Mason] sat down to instrumentality a nap with saccharine Star (the maltese) astatine his feet,” said a station shared Tuesday connected the musician’s Instagram page. “He passed distant peacefully, successful his favourite chair, surrounded by the beauteous Carson Valley that helium loved truthful much. A storybook ending. On his ain terms. Which is however helium lived his beingness close up until the end.”

“He leaves a lasting imprint connected the soundtrack of our lives and the hearts helium has lifted. His bequest volition beryllium cherished forever,” the tribute concluded.

Mason canceled his 2024 circuit dates aft doctors “detected a superior bosom condition” during a regular check-up that required “immediate aesculapian attention.” He was expected to marque “a afloat and palmy recovery” aft treatments. He aboriginal announced his status from touring successful 2025, citing “ongoing wellness challenges.”

Born May 10, 1946, successful Worcester, England, Mason was a teen erstwhile helium joined vocalist and keyboardist-guitarist Steve Winwood, drummer Jim Capaldi and woodwind subordinate Chris Wood to signifier Traffic successful 1967. The set was known for its psychedelic dependable that blended elements (and instruments) of rock, blues, R&B and jazz.

Mason was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame successful 2004 for his enactment with Traffic, but the instrumentalist had a fraught past with the group.

“We did immoderate bully stuff,” Mason told The Times successful 1995. “We were young kids. The archetypal opus I wrote was their archetypal large deed successful England (‘Hole successful My Shoe’). But I was lone 19 years aged and couldn’t grip each the fame, really. It was conscionable excessively much.”

He explained that aft helium near the set the archetypal time, helium was asked to travel backmost due to the fact that “they didn’t person capable songs for a 2nd album,” portion helium had written “five oregon six” including “Feelin’ Alright?” The song, present considered a classical stone staple, has been covered by aggregate artists including Joe Cocker, Huey Lewis, the Jackson 5, Gladys Knight & the Pips and Grand Funk Railroad.

“Then I recovered retired that Steve [Winwood] didn’t truly attraction for my stuff,” Mason said. “From my constituent of view, I deliberation [our] differences made thing better. ... But it conscionable pulled excessively overmuch I suppose, and they couldn’t enactment it. I was much oregon little forced into having to leave.”

Mason’s consequent solo vocation included 3 golden albums: his 1970 debut “Alone Together” — which featured hits similar “Only You Know and I Know,” “Shouldn’t Have Took More Than You Gave” and “World successful Changes;” 1974’s “Dave Mason” and 1978’s “Mariposa de Oro.” His 1977 medium “Let It Flow” was certified platinum.

He besides collaborated with different notable acts specified arsenic Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Jimi Hendrix, the Rolling Stones, Delaney & Bonnie and Friends, Joe Cocker’s Mad Dogs & Englishmen, and Fleetwood Mac.

Winwood shared a tribute to his bandmate connected Wednesday connected Instagram.

“Dave was portion of Traffic during its earliest chapter, and played an important relation successful shaping the band’s dependable and individuality during that time,” said the caption accompanying a photograph of a young Mason. “His songwriting, musicianship and distinctive tone helped make euphony that has lasted acold beyond its era, and continues to mean truthful overmuch to listeners astir the world.”

“Those years stay a peculiar portion of the band’s story, and Dave’s publication to them is not forgotten,” Winwood continued. “His spot successful that past volition ever beryllium remembered, and done the music, his beingness endures.”

Mason is survived by his wife, Winifred Wilson, girl Danielle, nephew John Leonard, niece Michelle Leonard and his brothers-in-law, Sloan Wilson and Walton Wilson.