Dave Mason, a guitarist whose career spanned six decades and touched some of the most iconic recordings in popular music, passed away on April 19th, shortly before his 80th birthday. His professional life was a tapestry of extraordinary musical collaborations and personal challenges, marked by his significant contributions to the progressive rock band Traffic and his guest appearances on landmark albums by artists such as Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones, George Harrison, Eric Clapton, and Fleetwood Mac.
Early Career and Traffic’s Genesis
Born David Thomas Mason in Worcestershire on May 10, 1946, he emerged as a vital musical force in the late 1960s. His entry into the burgeoning progressive rock scene saw him join forces with Steve Winwood in Traffic in 1967. The initial collaboration yielded immediate success with the Mason-penned and sung single “Hole In My Shoe,” which reached number two on the UK charts. However, the band’s other members reportedly found its psychedelic pop sound at odds with their own musical direction, and Mason himself felt a need for broader life experiences to inform his songwriting.
This restlessness led to his departure shortly after the release of Traffic’s debut album, *Mr. Fantasy* (1967). Despite this early exit, Mason returned for the band’s self-titled 1968 follow-up. During this period, he produced the debut album for the band Family and contributed another enduring hit to Traffic’s repertoire with “Feelin’ Alright?” This song would later be famously covered by numerous artists, including Joe Cocker and Paul Weller. Mason recounted that his return was short-lived, however, as he was dismissed from the band. He recalled being told by Winwood that his songwriting, singing, and playing were not desired, painting a picture of significant interpersonal friction within the group.
A Prolific Guest Musician
Following his second departure from Traffic, Dave Mason carved out a notable career as a sought-after session and guest musician. His distinctive guitar work appeared on a remarkable array of influential recordings. He played the shehnai, a double-reed Indian woodwind instrument, on The Rolling Stones’ 1968 single “Street Fighting Man.” Perhaps one of his most celebrated contributions was his work on Jimi Hendrix’s iconic rendition of Bob Dylan’s “All Along The Watchtower.” Mason played the intricate 12-string acoustic guitar part, a performance he later described as requiring considerable effort.
“It took me 10 or 11 takes to get the timing on the intro right,” Mason reflected, acknowledging Hendrix’s own virtuosity and the possibility that the legendary guitarist could have easily handled the part himself. His musical journey continued as he toured with Delaney & Bonnie and briefly joined Derek And The Dominos. Mason’s studio contributions extended to George Harrison’s monumental 1970 triple album, *All Things Must Pass*, and he lent his guitar talents to Wings’ 1975 hit, “Listen To What The Man Said.”
Solo Success and Later Career
The 1970s also saw Dave Mason achieve significant commercial success with his solo work. His 1977 album, *Let It Flow*, achieved platinum sales in the United States, marking a high point in his individual recording career. While his chart performance saw fluctuations in the 1980s, his collaborations continued, though they became less frequent and less impactful than his earlier guest spots.
His involvement with Fleetwood Mac in the mid-1990s, which included recording the album *Time*, was later described by band member Christine McVie as a difficult and “very acrimonious” period. Beyond his performance career, Mason also ventured into business, co-founding a sustainable guitar brand named RKS with designer Ravi Sawhney. Keith Richards reportedly praised the instruments as a “fucking impressive device.” Sawhney remembered Mason not as a celebrity endorsing a product, but as a deeply involved “builder” and “creator” who was passionate about the entire design and manufacturing process.
Health and Tributes
In September 2024, Mason revealed he was undergoing treatment for a serious heart condition and had canceled tour dates due to ongoing health issues. Upon news of his passing, tributes poured in from across the music world. Notably, Steve Winwood, with whom Mason had a famously complex relationship in Traffic, offered a heartfelt acknowledgment of his former bandmate’s impact. Winwood stated that Mason played an “important role in shaping the band’s sound and identity” during Traffic’s early days. He emphasized that Mason’s songwriting, musicianship, and “distinctive spirit” were instrumental in creating music that has endured and continues to resonate with audiences worldwide, ensuring his place in music history.
Mason’s family shared a poignant account of his final moments, describing his peaceful passing in his favorite chair in the Carson Valley, surrounded by loved ones and his dog, after preparing a meal with his wife, Winifred. They characterized his end as “a storybook ending. On his own terms. Which is how he lived his life right up to the end.” Dave Mason’s legacy is one of a versatile and influential guitarist whose creative spirit left an indelible mark on the landscape of popular music.
