In March, reps for Dave Mason announced that the veteran British musician had to cancel a series of 21 concerts scheduled for March, April, and May because he experienced a health setback after undergoing a successful heart-valve-replacement procedure in November 2024.
According to the March announcement, Mason had been “hospitalized [with] a serious infection.” At the time, Mason still had a U.S. summer tour leg lined up, but unfortunately, Dave has now announced that those concerts also have been canceled.
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As Mason explained in a message posted on his social media pages, “With deep regret, I must cancel all tour dates for 2025 due to ongoing health issues stemming from the infection I battled in March. I’m incredibly grateful to my team of doctors—this has been challenging territory, to say the least.”
The 79-year-old rocker added, “A heartfelt thank you to all the fans, and to my family, band, agents, and the venues who’ve waited patiently and supported me throughout this journey. Your kind messages have lifted my spirits more than words can express. Recovery is a long road. My love for you all runs deep. God bless, Dave.”
Mason had 21 shows scheduled this summer, spanning from a July 11 concert in Kansas City, Missouri, through an August 20 performance in Salisbury, Massachusetts.
Four of Dave’s July shows were to have featured him performing on a bill with Kansas and 38 Special.
Mason also had to cancel a fall 2024 tour because of his heart-valve operation.
Mason Recently Released a New Studio Album
As Mason battled his health issues, he released a new studio album called A Shade of Blues on March 21. The 11-track collection features the former Traffic member delving into various blues and R&B styles.
A Shade of Blues is available on CD, as a vinyl LP, and via digital formats.
The album features guest appearances by Michael McDonald, contemporary blues guitar whiz Joe Bonamassa, and veteran smooth-jazz saxophonist Warren Hill.
A Shade of Blues features versions of such blues classics as “Come Home in My Kitchen,” “Cocaine Blues,” “Born Under a Bad Sign,” and “Dust My Blues.” The album also includes new renditions of two classic Traffic songs—“The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys” and “Dear Mr. Fantasy.” Bonamassa plays guitar and sings on both Traffic covers.
In addition, A Shade of Blues features four songs written by Mason. Among those tunes is the lead track, “Use It, or Lose It,” which also features Bonamassa on guitar and vocals.
McDonald contributed his vocal and keyboard talents to another Mason original, “It’s Just You and Me.”
More About Dave Mason
Mason was a founding member of Traffic, playing with the group on and off from 1967 to 1971. Among his best-known songs recorded by the band are “Feelin’ Alright” and “You Can All Join In.”
Dave also has had a successful solo career that included soulful 1970 gem “Only You Know and I Know” and the 1977 hit “We Just Disagree.” He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Traffic in 2004.
(Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)