Dave Mason, Traffic Co-Founder And "Feelin' Alright" Writer, Dies At 79

Dave Mason, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame guitarist and Traffic co-founder, has died at 79. No cause was given, though health issues forced him to cancel recent tours. Mason wrote several classic rock songs like  "Feelin' Alright" and "Hole In My Shoe" while helping form Traffic in 1967 with Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi and Chris Wood. He also enjoyed solo hits including "We Just Disagree" in 1977 and collaborated extensively with artists like The Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, George Harrison, Jimi Hendrix and Michael Jackson. Traffic was inducted into the Rock Hall in 2004. Winwood posted a tribute to his late band-mate yesterday saying Mason's "songwriting, musicianship, and distinctive spirit helped create music that has lasted far beyond its era" and "his presence endures."