In September, veteran British rocker Dave Mason announced the cancellation of the fall 2024 leg of his Traffic Jam tour after his doctors detected “a serious heart condition” that needs “immediate medical attention.”
Videos by American Songwriter
Now, in a new message posted on his socials, Mason has shared more details about his heart issue. He also discussed his hopes to eventually return to performing.
[RELATED: Yacht Rock Essentials: “We Just Disagree,” Rock Journeyman Dave Mason’s Biggest Hit]
The 78-year-old musician began by thanking fans “for the thousands of well wishes” they’ve sent him.
“It’s helped so much as this has been a difficult journey,” he wrote. “I’ve taken your messages to heart, literally.”
Mason then revealed that he was scheduled to undergo heart valve replacement surgery on Monday, November 11.
“My case hasn’t been necessarily straightforward, but I wonder if any serious heart issues are,” he noted. “I’m grateful to my team of doctors who’ve been excellent in guiding me through this.”
Mason also explained that he’s “happily a candidate” for a minimally invasive procedure called a TAVR. That stands for a transcatheter aortic valve replacement.”
The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer pointed out that Mick Jagger underwent the same procedure, adding that “we’ve all been lucky to have him continue to entertain us.”
About His Recovery Plans
Mason also reported that his doctors told him he “should feel significantly better in 30 days, and fully rocking in 90, given a smooth operation.”
He then noted that he and his wife, Winifred, “are confident that we’re in great hands and we’re looking forward to getting my health back and feeling better than I have in quite a while.” Dave added, “We’re feeling great about the future. Music is my life, and it means the world to me to be able to share it with you.”
He concluded by sending thanks to “my band, crew, and our whole team for their commitment to the time I need to recover and come back stronger than ever.”
More About the Canceled Tour and Mason’s Future Plans
Mason’s fall tour had been scheduled to feature 12 dates running from a September 20 concert in Phoenix through an October 12 show in Stateline, Nevada. Those performances were canceled, as was a November 7 book-signing event in Carson City, Nevada. Mason’s memoir, Only You Know & I Know, was published in September.
The tour-cancellation announcement also noted that Dave plans to resume touring in 2025.
Mason currently is scheduled to participate in the 2025 On the Blue Cruise, headlined by ex-Moody Blues frontman Justin Hayward. The seven-day nautical music extravaganza is scheduled to run from August 22 to August 29, 2025. The cruise will leave from and return to Boston, and will visit Halifax and Sydney, Nova Scotia; Saint John, New Brunswick; and Portland, Maine.
About Dave Mason
Mason was a founding member of the British band Traffic, playing with the group on and off from 1967 to 1971. Among his best-known songs recorded by the group are “Feelin’ Alright” and “You Can All Join In.”
He also has had a successful solo career that included the 1977 hit “We Just Disagree.” He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Traffic in 2004.
Leave a Reply
Only members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log in.