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There\u2019s some sad news for fans of Dave Mason<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n The classic rock legend, 79, has announced that he\u2019s been forced to retire from touring, citing \u201congoing health challenges as the reason behind this difficult decision,\u201d according to a statement released on Tuesday, Sept. 16.<\/p>\n \ud83c\udfac <\/strong>SIGN UP for Parade\u2019s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox<\/strong><\/a>\ud83c\udfac\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n It comes after Mason has had to cancel recent concert dates over the past two years due to \u201congoing health concerns.\u201d<\/p>\n In June<\/a>, the former Traffic member canceled his 2025 summer dates. He had previously been forced to postpone his fall 2024 tour <\/a>due to a \u201cserious heart condition\u201d that doctors detected during a routine physical exam.<\/p>\n Back in June, it was revealed that Mason had hoped to return to the road with spring and summer tour dates after recovering from the procedure related to his heart condition, but he came down with a \u201csevere infection in March, which he has been courageously battling ever since,\u201d the statement in June added.<\/p>\n Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004 as a founding member of Traffic, Mason wrote and sang two of the band\u2019s best-known songs, \u201cFeelin\u2019 Alright?\u201d and \u201cHole in My Shoe.\u201d<\/p>\n After Traffic split up, Mason went on to work as a session player for George Harrison<\/strong>, the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton<\/strong> and several others. He also scored a solo hit in 1977 with the song \u201cWe Just Disagree,\u201d which went on to become a classic hits and soft-rock radio staple.<\/p>\n \u201cTrue to his artistic spirit, Mason will spend his retirement years pursuing creative projects, including an upcoming children\u2019s book and in his studio culling over unreleased tracks from his 60-year career of live performances,\u201d the statement added. \u201cHe retires from touring a happy man with a heart full of gratitude to his band members, business colleagues, and especially his legions of fans who made his life one of deep satisfaction and fulfillment. The immensity of his joy remains solid as he steps back from the stage.\u201d<\/p>\n The news of Mason\u2019s retirement was also shared with fans on his social media accounts.<\/p>\n Fans, some fellow musicians and associates wished Mason well in the comments on Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you Dave for all those beautiful melodies and bringing Traffic to life for us American teens,\u201d wrote Carla Olson<\/strong>, leader of the 1980s band the Textones.<\/p>\n \u201cEnjoy your retirement boss\ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffb\ud83d\udc94 thank you so much for the music and letting me keep an eye on your safety! You are the nicest person in the business. I hope you and Winifred can get in the bus and be the retired tourists you have worked so hard to be. Much Love and Respect always Dave \u2764\ufe0f,\u201d wrote one of Mason\u2019s associates.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks for all the great music! Enjoy retirement, you\u2019ve certainly earned it!\u201d another fan added.<\/p>\n This story was originally reported by Parade<\/a> on Sep 16, 2025, where it first appeared in the News<\/a> section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\nPrevious tour cancellations due to health issues<\/h2>\n
Dave Mason’s legacy<\/h2>\n
Fans, fellow musicians and associates react<\/h2>\n