Dave Mason

The Hellions

In 1964, Mason joined another Worcester band, The Hellions, which included drummer Jim Capaldi. In August of that year, the band was hired to back singer Tanya Day at the Star-Club in Hamburg, where they stayed at the same hotel as the Spencer Davis Group, where Mason and Capaldi struck up a friendship with Steve Winwood. When The Hellions returned to England, they were a polished act and were in great demand, on their own and as a backing band for such singers as Adam Faith and Dave Berry. By the end of 1964, they had obtained a residency at London's Whisky-A-Go-Go Club. There, they were spotted by producer Kim Fowley and songwriter Jackie DeShannon. DeShannon offered them a song and helped arrange a recording contract with Piccadilly Records. In 1965, they released the DeShannon song "Daydreaming Of You", which Fowley produced, and the first song Mason ever wrote with Capaldi, "Shades of Blue". Neither song was a success but the band went on a UK tour with P. J. Proby. Another song, "Hallelujah", was released; it too failed to chart. In 1966, the band returned to Worcester; Mason made ends meet by playing with local groups, and by working as a roadie for The Spencer Davis Group.^[9] Capaldi pulled together a band called Deep Feeling, which recorded 12 songs, none of which were released. Sunbeam Records released the lot in 2008, as the album Pretty Colours.^[8]

Traffic

In 1967, The Spencer Davis Group broke up and, with Winwood available, Capaldi gathered a new group, Traffic, which consisted of Winwood, Mason and Chris Wood. They began jamming in Birmingham, then moved into a house in Berkshire. They began recording and produced a top-five hit, "Paper Sun". Their next song, the first that Mason wrote alone, was "Hole In My Shoe" which, with Mason's liberal use of the sitar, became one of the most successful and memorable songs of British Psychedelia. It reached #3 on the UK charts and established Mason as a songwriter and singer.^[9] Traffic's first album, Mr. Fantasy (1967), was a huge success but Mason left the band to move to the US. He returned after the band's next album, Traffic, had been released; according to some sources, he was then fired.^[8] Traffic then broke up; its 1969 compilation album Last Exit, includes the Mason song "Just for You". Traffic re-formed without Mason, although he played on the 1971 album Welcome to the Canteen and went on the tour for it. In his brief spells with the group, Mason wrote alone; Steve Winwood later recalled, "We all tended to write together, but Mason would come in with a complete song that he was going to sing and tell us all what he expected us to play. No discussion, like we were his backing group."^[10]

Solo career

Mason did some session work on Jimi Hendrix's Electric Ladyland (Sept 1968),^[11] playing 12-string acoustic guitar on "All Along the Watchtower", and backing vocals on "Crosstown Traffic".^[12] He played the Shehnai and bass drum on "Street Fighting Man" on the Rolling Stones' 1968 album Beggars Banquet.^[13] Mason appears on George Harrison's 1970 solo set All Things Must Pass. In 1970, Mason played on early studio sessions for Derek and the Dominos, including the Phil Spector production of "Tell the Truth", which was released on Eric Clapton's 1988 box set Crossroads. He played at their first gig at the London Lyceum but left the group soon after that.^{[citation needed]} For fellow Traffic member Jim Capaldi's 1971 album Oh How We Danced, he co-wrote "Big Thirst" and played harmonica on that track and the guitar solo on "Don't Be a Hero".^[14]

In 1969, now settled in Los Angeles, Mason released the single "Just for You". On the B-side, he was backed by the band Family on "Little Woman" following his production of Family's first album, 1968's Music in a Doll's House (which included the original Mason song "Never Like This"). He also took the lead guitar post with Delaney and Bonnie. With Eric Clapton, Winwood had founded Blind Faith; Delaney and Bonnie toured with Blind Faith as their opening act.^[9] Mason also recorded his first solo album, Alone Together. On that album was the minor hit "Look at You, Look at Me"; the song "Only You Know and I Know" reached No. 42 on the Billboard chart for him. When Delaney and Bonnie recorded it in 1971, it was internationally-ranked in Top 30. A collaboration with Cass Elliot followed in 1971.

In the mid-to-late 1970s, Mason toured and recorded with guitarist Jim Krueger, keyboardist Mike Finnigan, bassist Gerald Johnson and drummer Rick Jaeger. Mason followed up with the album, Let It Flow, released in April 1977. The album peaked at only No. 37, but spent 49 weeks on the charts and went platinum as a result of the success of the album single "We Just Disagree", which was written by Krueger. The single reached No. 12, and other album singles "So High (Rock Me Baby and Roll Me Away)" and "Let It Go, Let It Flow" also charted in the U.S. Mason's next album was Mariposa de Oro, released in 1978. The album contained a cover of "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow", which became a Top 40 single. The album itself reached No. 41 and went gold. Mason played himself in the film Skatetown, U.S.A., performing two songs in a roller disco as well as writing and performing the film's theme song.

In 1980, Mason released Old Crest on a New Wave. The album stalled at No. 74, and had one single make the charts, titled "Save Me." The failure of the album resulted in Mason leaving his label Columbia. Mason struggled to attract another major label but continued to tour in an acoustic duo with Krueger. In 1987, he released two albums, Some Assembly Required on the Canadian label Maze Records and Two Hearts on MCA Records. The latter album featured the single "Dreams I Dream," a duet with Phoebe Snow that reached No. 11 on the adult contemporary charts.^[15]

In 1980 he appeared alongside the singer Bonnie Pointer, as presenters on the American Music Awards.

In 1997, Mason was scheduled to be a member of Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band, performing "Only You Know and I Know," "We Just Disagree" and "Feelin' Alright," but he was dropped from rehearsals before the tour started.

In 1998, Mason reunited with his former Traffic bandmate Jim Capaldi for The 40,000 Headmen Tour, with a live album following the tour. In 2002, he released the DVD Dave Mason: Live at Sunrise, a recording of a live performance at the Sunrise Musical Theater in Sunrise, Florida,^[16] backed by Bobby Scumaci on keyboards, Johnne Sambataro on rhythm guitar (who rejoined Mason for the DVD, after previously touring with him in 1978), John Lundahl on rhythm guitar, Richard Campbell on bass, and Greg Babcock on drums.

In 2004, Mason expanded his career beyond music by co-founding RKS Guitars with industrial designer Ravi Sawhney. Their partnership aimed to reinvent the electric guitar through sustainable materials and modular design. The RKS system featured a neck-through-body core, interchangeable body shells, and structural ribs made from aluminum or wood. A notable innovation was the use of Tenite, a cellulose-based plastic derived from farmed Cottonwood trees and wood by-products, making it one of the earliest sustainable electric guitars.

The design garnered industry acclaim, earning two Silver IDEA Awards from the Industrial Designers Society of America,^[17] and was featured in publications including BusinessWeek.^[18] The project was also the subject of a case study by the Harvard Business Review.^[19]

RKS guitars were played by a range of acclaimed musicians, including Keith Richards, Mick Jagger, Ronnie Wood, Don Felder, and Rick Springfield. For their contributions to industrial design and innovation in music, both Mason and Sawhney were awarded honorary doctorates from the Academy of Art University.^[20]

In 2008, Mason released his first studio album in more than 20 years, titled 26 Letters 12 Notes. He followed up with another album in 2014 called Future's Past.

As of 2018, Mason continued to perform in the U.S., including a 2018 tour with Steve Cropper.^[21][22]

Fleetwood Mac

For a brief period in the mid-1990s, Mason joined Fleetwood Mac and released the album Time with them, in 1995. He toured with them over the course of 1994–95, including opening for REO Speedwagon and Crosby, Stills & Nash.^[23]

Health problems and retirement from touring

In 2024, Mason announced the cancellation of all of his 2025 tour dates due to "ongoing health challenges". Though he originally planned to reschedule these dates, he stated in September 2025 that he had scrapped them, and subsequently announced his retirement from touring.^[24] He further clarified in his statement that he was not retiring from music altogether and intended to continue releasing new material.^[25]

Studio albums

Live albums

• 1973: Dave Mason Is Alive (ABC/Blue Thumb/MCA) (recorded at the Troubadour, West Hollywood, CA, 1971) – US No. 116^[37]
• 1976: Certified Live (Columbia) (recorded on tour, 1975) – US No. 78^[37]
• 1999: Live: The 40,000 Headmen Tour (with Jim Capaldi) (Receiver Records) (recorded at various locations, Feb-April 1998)
• 2002: Live at Perkins Palace (Pioneer) (recorded 1981)
• 2002: Dave Mason: Live at Sunrise (Image Entertainment)
• 2004: XM Radio (Barham Productions) (recorded May 2003)
  • Reissued with bonus tracks in 2007 as Dave Mason Live at XM Satellite Radio (Friday Music)
• 2015: Traffic Jam (Barham Productions)

Compilation albums

• 1972: Scrapbook (Island) the only album that includes "Just for You" and "Little Woman"
• 1974: The Best of Dave Mason (Blue Thumb) – US No. 183^[37]
• 1974: Dave Mason at His Best (ABC/Blue Thumb) – US No. 133^[37]
• 1978: Very Best of Dave Mason (ABC/Blue Thumb) – US No. 179^[37]
• 1978: Skatetown, U.S.A. (Columbia)
  • soundtrack to the motion picture of the same name; Mason performs "Main Theme", "I Fell in Love", and "Feelin' Alright"
• 1978: California Jam II (Columbia)
  • recorded live at the music festival of the same name; Mason performs "Let it Go, Let it Flow" and "We Just Disagree"
• 1981: The Best of Dave Mason (Columbia)
• 1995: Long Lost Friend: The Best of Dave Mason (Columbia/Legacy)
• 1999: The Ultimate Collection (Hip-O)
• 2000: Super Hits (Sony Legacy)
• 2007: The Definitive Collection (Hip-O)
• 2014: The Columbia Years: The Definitive Anthology (Real Gone Music)

Singles

• 1963: "Opus To Spring", Independent
• 1968: "Just for You" b/w "Little Woman", Island Records (UK only)
• 1969: "Waitin' on You", Independent
• 1970: "World in Changes", Irving Music
• 1970: "Only You Know and I Know", Blue Thumb Records – US No. 42
• 1970: "Satin Red and Black Velvet Woman", Blue Thumb Records – US No. 97 (45 single, released on The Ultimate Collection in 1999)
• 1970: "Shouldn't Have Took More Than You Gave", Blue Thumb Records
• 1971: "Something To Make You Happy" b/w "Next To You", Dunhill Records, with Cass Elliot
• 1971: "A Heartache, A Shadow, A Lifetime (I'll Be Home)"
• 1972: "To Be Free" – US No. 121
• 1973: "Baby...Please"
• 1975: "Show Me Some Affection"
• 1977: "So High (Rock Me Baby and Roll Me Away)" — US Billboard No. 89, Cash Box No. 69^[38]
• 1977: "We Just Disagree" – US No. 12, US AC No. 19
• 1978: "Let It Go, Let It Flow" – US No. 45
• 1978: "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" – US No. 39
• 1978: "Mystic Traveller"
• 1978: "Don't It Make You Wonder"
• 1980: "Save Me" (with Michael Jackson) – US No. 71
• 1983: "Break Away"
• 1987: "Something In The Heart" – US Mainstream Rock No. 24
• 1988: "Dreams I Dream" (duet with Phoebe Snow) – US AC No. 11
• 1988: "Two Hearts"
• 2016: "It's Not Fair"
• 2016: "Whatever"
• 2019: "Jezebel" (featuring Midnight Blues Revue)
• 2020: "Feelin' Alright" (featuring The Quarantines)
• 2023: "Dear Mr. Fantasy" (featuring Joe Bonamassa)

Videos

• 1981: Live at Perkins Palace (Pioneer, laser disc)
• 1992: Best Live 1991 Tokyo (Bandai, laser disc)
• 2002: Live at Sunrise (Image Entertainment, DVD)
• 2008: The Legendary Guitar of Dave Mason (Hot Licks, instructional DVD)

Traffic

See Traffic discography

Session work

• 1966–1967: The Spencer Davis Group, singles (United Artists US; Fontana UK)
  • backing vocals on "Somebody Help Me", "Gimme Some Lovin'", and "I'm a Man"
• 1967: Julian Covey & The Machine, "A Little Bit Hurt" / "Sweet Bacon" single (Philips)
  • guitar and vocals
• 1968: Family, Music in a Doll's House (Reprise)
  • producer, songwriter of "Never Like This"
• 1968: The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Electric Ladyland (Reprise)
  • acoustic guitar on "All Along the Watchtower", backing vocals on "Crosstown Traffic"
• 1968: The Rolling Stones, Beggar's Banquet (Decca)
  • shehnai and bass drum on "Street Fighting Man"
• 1968: The Scaffold, The Scaffold: Live at the Queen Elizabeth Hall (Parlaphone)
  • guitar and sitar on "Thank U Very Much" and "2Days Monday"
• 1969: Gordon Jackson, Thinking Back (Marmalade)
  • producer, bass guitar, electric guitar, and slide guitar
• 1969: Merryweather, Word of Mouth (Capitol)
  • songwriter, guitar, bass, and vocals
• 1970: Delaney & Bonnie & Friends with Eric Clapton, On Tour (Atco)
  • guitar
• 1970: George Harrison, All Things Must Pass (Apple)
  • guitar on various tracks
• 1970: Bobby Lester, Bobby Lester (Columbia)
  • guitar on "Freedom"
• 1971: Delaney & Bonnie & Friends, Motel Shot (Atco)
  • guitar and vocals
• 1971: Graham Nash, Songs for Beginners (Atlantic)
  • electric guitar on "Military Madness"
• 1972: Jim Capaldi, Oh How We Danced (Island)
  • harmonica on "Big Thirst", guitar on "Don't Be a Hero"
• 1972: Crosby and Nash, Graham Nash / David Crosby (Atlantic)
  • lead guitar on "Immigration Man"
• 1972: Bobby Keys, Bobby Keys (Warner Bros.)
  • songwriter on "Steal from a King" and "Crispy Duck"
• 1973: David Blue, Nice Baby and the Angel (Asylum)
  • acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and vocals on "Outlaw Man"
• 1974: Graham Nash, Wild Tales (Atlantic)
  • 12-string guitar on "Oh! Camil (The Winter Soldier)"
• 1974: Phoebe Snow, Phoebe Snow (Shelter)
  • electric guitar on "No Show Tonight"
• 1975: Wings, Venus and Mars (Capitol)
  • electric guitar on "Listen to What the Man Said"
• 1978: Mike Finnigan, Black and White (Columbia)
  • lead guitar on "Hideaway From Love"
• 1978: Stephen Stills, Thoroughfare Gap (Columbia)
  • vocals on "You Can't Dance Alone", "We Will Go On", "What's the Game", and "Midnight Rider"
• 1979: Ron Wood, Gimme Some Neck (Columbia)
  • acoustic guitar on "F.U.C. Her"
• 1983: Donovan, Lady of the Stars (RCA)
  • guitar on "Boy for Every Girl"
• 1983: Don Felder, Airborn (Asylum)
  • vocals on "Never Surrender"
• 1988: Eric Clapton, Crossroads (Polydor)
  • guitar on "Ain't That Loving You", originally recorded ca. 1974
• 1995: Fleetwood Mac, Time (Warner Bros. Records)
  • songwriter, producer, vocals, and guitar
• 2004: Noel Redding, The Experience Sessions (Sony/BMG)
  • sitar on "There Ain't Nothing Wrong", originally recorded ca. 1968
• 2010: Jimi Hendrix, West Coast Seattle Boy (Legacy)
  • sitar on "Little One", originally recorded ca. 1968
• 2011: Derek and the Dominos, Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs: 40th Anniversary Edition (Universal)
  • guitar and vocals on "Roll It Over", guitar on "Tell the Truth" (Single Version) (both originally recorded June 1970)