Rock legend Dave Mason reveals he is retiring at 79 due to ‘ongoing health challenges’

Legendary rock musician Dave Mason is retiring from touring due to health issues.

The 79-year-old made the revelation on social media with a statement saying he was “closing the curtain on 60 remarkable years of rock n’ roll and marking the end of a signiant era in music history.”

Mason announced back in June that he was cancelling his tour for the second consecutive year to deal with “ongoing health issues.” He cancelled the remaining dates on his “Traffic Jame 2024” tour last September. He said at the time that he was diagnosed with a serious heart condition that required immediate medical attention.

A post on Mason’s Instagram last year announced the tour cancellation and said the heart condition was discovered “during a routine appointment.”

Mason’s statement in June announcing the 2025 cancellation said that after recovering from a procedure related to his heart condition he came down with “a severe infection in March, which he has been courageously battling ever since.”

“I’m incredibly grateful to my team of doctors — this has been challenging territory, to say the least,” Mason said at the time. “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.”

Mason co-founded the band Traffic along with Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi and Chris Wood in 1967.

According to Variety, he has also played on albums with the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, George Harrison and Eric Clapton.

He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004 as a member of Traffic.