Steve Winwood Becomes Traffic’s Last Original Member, Pays Tribute to Dave Mason

The history of Traffic has always been marked by shifting roles and changing voices. With the passing of Dave Mason, one chapter quietly closed, leaving Steve Winwood as the last surviving founding member.

Winwood responded with a message reflecting on their early years together. He noted that Mason helped define the group’s direction during its first phase, highlighting his songwriting and musical style as key elements that still resonate with listeners.

Early Chemistry and Sudden Friction

The band first came together in 1967, with Winwood and Mason joined by Jim Capaldi and Chris Wood. Their early recordings introduced a sound that blended rock with jazz and folk influences, quickly setting them apart from other groups of the time.

Yet stability never lasted long. Mason stepped away soon after their debut album, Mr. Fantasy, which featured the well-known track “Dear Mr. Fantasy.” Although he returned months later, tensions within the group remained unresolved.

A Break That Changed the Path

Mason’s second exit came after sessions for later releases, including Traffic and Last Exit. According to his own recollection in a later interview, the decision was not mutual. He described a meeting where Winwood directly told him he was no longer wanted, citing differences in writing, singing, and playing style.

Soon after, the group itself fell apart. Winwood moved on to join Blind Faith alongside Eric Clapton, bringing Traffic’s initial run to a sudden halt.

Returns Without Resolution

When the band regrouped in 1970 for John Barleycorn Must Die, Mason was not included. He briefly reappeared the following year for a short series of performances, one of which later appeared on Welcome to the Canteen. That limited run marked the last time he performed with them during their active years.

A much later reunion attempt in 1994 also moved forward without him. Despite that absence, all three surviving members—Mason, Capaldi, and Winwood—eventually shared a stage again in 2004 during their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

A Complicated Reunion Moment

That event did not unfold smoothly. Mason had hoped to perform guitar on “Dear Mr. Fantasy,” but was instead asked to handle bass, an instrument he had not played in decades. He declined and stayed offstage during that portion. However, by the end of the night, he joined an all-star performance of “Feelin’ Alright,” marking a rare reunion with his former bandmates.

Final Years and Lingering Tensions

Following Capaldi’s death in 2005, any future plans became uncertain. Mason later suggested a reunion tour in 2017, but Winwood declined, citing a request made by Capaldi before his passing that the band should not perform again.

Even without official reunions, Mason continued performing songs from his past under his own banner, keeping the group’s music alive in live settings.