Dave Mason
Template:Short description Template:For Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox musical artist
David Thomas Mason (born 10 May 1946)<ref name="LarkinGE">Template:Cite book</ref> is an English singer-songwriter and guitarist from Worcester, who came to prominence in 1967 as a founding member of the rock band Traffic.<ref name=RSTrafficBio/> While with Traffic, he wrote and sang lead vocals on two of the band's most famous songs, "Hole in My Shoe" and "Feelin' Alright?". His song "Only You Know and I Know" became a signature song for Delaney and Bonnie, and "We Just Disagree", Mason's 1977 solo U.S. hit, written by Jim Krueger, has become a staple of U.S. classic hits and adult contemporary radio playlists.<ref name=Allmusic/><ref name=Goldmine/>
After leaving Traffic he became a session musician, recording for George Harrison, the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Michael Jackson, David Crosby, Graham Nash, Steve Winwood, Fleetwood Mac, Delaney & Bonnie, Leon Russell, and Cass Elliot.
In 2004, Mason started a new electric guitar company with business partner and industrial designer Ravi Sawhney,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> the same year as he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a founding member of Traffic.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Musical careerEdit
TrafficEdit
Mason's tenure with Traffic was disjointed. He was a founding member of the group, but left following the release of their debut album, Mr. Fantasy (1967), only to rejoin halfway through the sessions for their next album, Traffic (1968), after which he left again. Last Exit (1969), a compilation of odds and ends, features little material by Mason apart from his song "Just for You".
Traffic later re-formed without Mason, although he briefly began working with the band for a third time, touring with them in 1971 and playing on Welcome to the Canteen. In his brief spells with the group, Mason wrote alone; Steve Winwood later recalled, "We all [Winwood, Jim Capaldi and Chris Wood] 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."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Session workEdit
Mason did some session work on Jimi Hendrix's Electric Ladyland (Sept 1968),<ref name=NorthCoast/> playing 12-string acoustic guitar on "All Along the Watchtower", and backing vocals on "Crosstown Traffic".<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> He plays the Shehnai and bass drum on "Street Fighting Man" on the Rolling Stones' 1968 album Beggars Banquet.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
In 1969–1970, Mason toured with Delaney and Bonnie and Friends, along with Eric Clapton and George Harrison. 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.Template:Fact For fellow Traffic member Jim Capaldi's 1971 album Oh How We Danced, he co-wrote "Big Thirst" and played harmonica, and played the guitar solo on "Don't Be a Hero".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Solo careerEdit
After Traffic, Mason pursued a moderately successful solo career. His first single was "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"). In 1970, he released his first solo album, Alone Together<ref name=LATimesBetter/> featuring "Only You Know and I Know" (which reached No. 42 on the Billboard chart), as well as the lesser hit "Look at You, Look at Me". A collaboration with Cass Elliot followed in 1971. In the early 1970s, Mason enlisted his friend, singer-songwriter Ray Kennedy, to tour and write for his next album.
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 was in the charts for 49 weeks and went platinum as a result of the success of the album single "We Just Disagree", which was written by Mason's backup guitarist, Jim 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 in the adult contemporary charts.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
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,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and was featured in publications including BusinessWeek.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The project was also the subject of a case study by the Harvard Business Review.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
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 US, including a 2018 tour with Steve Cropper.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Tenure in Fleetwood MacEdit
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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Personal lifeEdit
Mason moved permanently to the United States in 1971, and lived in the Ojai Valley in California for 16 years. As of September 2017 he had homes in Carson City, Nevada and Hawaii.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
PhilanthropyEdit
Mason is a proponent of music education for children. In 2005, he became an official supporter of Little Kids Rock, a non-profit organisation that provides free musical instruments and lessons to children in American public schools. He is an honorary member of the organisation's board of directors.Template:Cn
Mason also is a founding board member of Yoga Blue, a non-profit organisation devoted to teaching yoga and other holistic practices to those recovering from substance abuse and other self-destructive disorders.Template:Cn
Mason and his longtime friend Ted Knapp have founded Rock Our Vets, an all-volunteer 501(c)3 charity supported by many other musicians, helping military veterans and the families of law enforcement and firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty.<ref>About Us Rock Our Vets. Retrieved 2 April 2020.</ref> The charity has focused on providing food and clothing to homeless veterans, laptop computers for veterans aspiring to continue their education, as well as suicide prevention.
DiscographyEdit
SoloEdit
Studio albumsEdit
| Year | Album | US<ref name="Billboard 200">Template:Cite magazine</ref> | CAN<ref name=":5">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> |
Certification | Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Alone Together | 22 | 24 |
|
Blue Thumb Records | |
| 1971 | Dave Mason & Cass Elliot | 49 | — | Blue Thumb Records | ||
| 1972 | Headkeeper | 50 | — | Blue Thumb Records | ||
| 1973 | It's Like You Never Left | 25 | — | Columbia Records | ||
| 1974 | Dave Mason | 27 | 31 |
|
Columbia Records | |
| 1975 | Split Coconut | 37 | 85 | Columbia Records | ||
| 1977 | Let It Flow | 41 | 36 |
|
Columbia Records | |
| 1978 | Mariposa de Oro | 74 | 46 |
|
Columbia Records | |
| 1980 | Old Crest on a New Wave | 74 | — | Columbia Records | ||
| 1987 | Two Hearts | — | — | MCA Records | ||
| 1987 | Some Assembly Required | — | — | Chumley Records | ||
| 2008 | 26 Letters - 12 Notes | — | — | Out the Box/Sony | ||
| 2014 | Future's Past | — | — | Something-Music | ||
| 2017 | Pink Lipstick (EP) | — | — | Barham Productions | ||
| 2020 | Alone Together, Again | — | — | Barham Productions | ||
| 2023 | A Shade Of Blues | — | — | Barham Productions |
Live albumsEdit
- 1973: Dave Mason Is Alive (ABC/Blue Thumb/MCA) (recorded at the Troubadour, West Hollywood, CA, 1971) – US No. 116<ref name="bb">Template:Cite magazine</ref>
- 1976: Certified Live (Columbia) (recorded on tour, 1975) – US No. 78<ref name="bb" />
- 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 albumsEdit
- 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<ref name="bb" />
- 1974: Dave Mason at His Best (ABC/Blue Thumb) – US No. 133<ref name="bb" />
- 1978: Very Best of Dave Mason (ABC/Blue Thumb) – US No. 179<ref name="bb" />
- 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)
SinglesEdit
- 1968: "Just for You" b/w "Little Woman" (UK only)
- 1970: "World in Changes"
- 1970: "Only You Know and I Know" – US No. 42
- 1970: "Satin Red and Black Velvet Woman" – US No. 97 (was only a 45rpm single until it was released on The Ultimate Collection in 1999)
- 1971: "Waitin' on You"
- 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<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- 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)
VideosEdit
- 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)
TrafficEdit
Session workEdit
- 1966-67: 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
- 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
- guitar
- 1970: George Harrison, All Things Must Pass (Apple)
- guitar on various tracks
- 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 Records)
- electric guitar on "No Show Tonight"
- 1975: Wings, Venus and Mars
- 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 (CBS)
- acoustic guitar on "F.U.C. Her"
- 1983: Donovan, Lady of the Stars
- 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", originally recorded June 1970
ReferencesEdit
External linksEdit
- Template:Official website
- Rock Our Vets official website (archived)
- Dave Mason Interview at NAMM Oral History Collection (February 23, 2007)
Template:Dave Mason Template:Traffic Template:Fleetwood Mac Template:Phoebe Snow Template:2004 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame