Guitarist and singer-songwriter Dave Mason. Courtesy photo

Part-time Maui resident Dave Mason, who co-founded the band Traffic, passed away peacefully at his Nevada home on April 19 at the age of 79, prompting an outpouring of tributes from fellow musicians and fans.

“Sweet David Mason left this world, but not without a reminder of heartfelt songs that question the meaning of life, with the understanding of such insight into life’s puzzle,” said Mick Fleetwood, a long-time friend of Mason’s.

Fleetwood recalled that the two shared pet nicknames inspired by the classic book “The Wind in the Willows” from their childhood in England. Mason was “Toad,” and Fleetwood was “Badger,” and they continued to use those nicknames throughout their lives.

Mason teamed up with Fleetwood, John McVie, and Christine McVie to form a remodeled Fleetwood Mac between 1993 and 1995.

“I was friends with Mick, and he wanted to put something back together again,” Mason explained in a 2018 Maui News interview.

He moved to Wailea in 2017, after performing at a show hosted by Shep Gordon to benefit the Maui Food Bank. “I came over to play Shep’s benefit and Winifred (Mason’s wife) wanted to be near the ocean,” he recalled. “We looked around and found a house.”

Born in the historic town of Worcester in the United Kingdom, Mason found fame with the seminal British band Traffic. He joined Traffic in 1967 and helped forge the sound of one of the most innovative groups of the time, blending elements of rock, blues, folk, jazz and R&B.

“We were deeply saddened to hear of Dave Mason’s passing,” Traffic co-founder Steve Winwood posted on Facebook. “Dave was part of Traffic during its earliest chapter and played an important role in shaping the band’s sound and identity during that time.”

Traffic’s biggest hit, “Hole in My Shoe,” was composed by Mason, who recently turned the song into a children’s book.

“The whole song was a little bit of an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ kind of fantasy song, and I just figured, ‘Why not put this into a book?'” Mason explained during an interview with The Maui News on March 30.

Over the years, he played and recorded with many legendary artists, including most of the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, the Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton. Mason taught George Harrison how to play slide guitar.

Mason’s career was chronicled in his memoir, “Only You Know and I Know,” with the title taken from his 1970 hit.

James “Hutch” Hutchinson, a Haiku resident and the bassist for the Bonnie Raitt band, was a friend of Mason’s. Playing together a few times over 40 years, Hutchinson said, “Dave was always so respectful, and so nice and personable. He was so great to me, and he loved my playing. His records and the early Traffic records were such a big influence.”

Hutchinson recalled New Year’s Eve in 2019 on Maui playing with Mason, Michael McDonald and Pat Simmons, which included a version of Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower,” highlighting Mason’s talent as a lead guitarist.

“He played rhythm guitar on Jimi Hendrix’s version,” Hutchinson added. “I posted the New Year’s Eve video and sent it to Bonnie today. Bonnie was very moved. Bonnie was such a fan of Dave’s, and Dave was such a fan of Bonnie’s. It’s a tough loss for everybody.”

Maui drummer Marty Fera went with Mason on his last two national tours in 2023 and 2024 before Mason retired from touring.

“I’ve been doing this a long time, and it was just a privilege and an honor,” said Fera. “It was great to play that music and become good friends with him, get very close with him and his wife, Winifred.”

For Maui musician Gail Swanson, who was also Mason’s friend, his songs were a big part of the soundtrack of her life growing up.

“I felt like I had known him forever because his music had always been such a big part of my life,” said Swanson. “His talent, his quick wit and his quirky accent always made me smile. His songs will always be a part of my life, even though now his soul has moved on.”

Remembering Mason’s wit, Hutchinson recalled a time when he and Mason were performing at a tribute show in Iowa during the NFL playoffs. “Dave and I sat at a bar with a bunch of Texans,” said Hutchinson. “And I go, ‘Dave, who are you rooting for?’ He goes, ‘Oh, the Redcoats, of course.’ I just cracked up. I will never forget that. He was so funny.”

While living on Maui during the pandemic, Mason recorded an inspiring version of his classic song, “Feelin’ Alright,” with an ensemble he dubbed “The Quarantines,” featuring Sammy Hagar, Mick Fleetwood, Michael McDonald, the Doobie Brothers’ Pat Simmons, Tom Johnston, and John McFee, and Pat Simmons Jr.

Mason would occasionally perform at Fleetwood’s on Front St. in Lahaina with Fleetwood, and he joined Willie K on stage at Mulligans on the Blue during Willie’s last live performance before he passed on.

In his recent interview, Mason explained how he had contracted sepsis, “which was pretty drastic.”

“At this point, my road life is over,” he said.

Performing as a solo artist, Mason felt philosophical about the many twists and turns in his musical life.

“It’s best not to take it all too seriously,” he said. “It’s just rock and roll. We’re not reinventing the light bulb here.”

Mason is survived by his wife Winifred Wilson and his daughter Danielle.