Iconic 60s rock star forced to cancel tour over ‘serious heart condition’ after doctor warnings

Legendary guitarist Dave Mason has cancelled his upcoming U.S. tour dates after doctors discovered he has a serious heart condition. 

The singer-songwriter, who co-founder of the iconic British rock band Traffic, is undergoing immediate medical treatment after doctors found the condition during a routine appointment. 

The musician, 78, was set to embark on a US tour this autumn across California and Nevada. 

However doctors have advised him to pause all tour activity while he receives treatment. 

Breaking the news via an official statement on his website, his team wrote: ‘We are sorry to inform you Dave Mason has a serious heart condition detected in a routine appointment that requires immediate attention. 

The singer-songwriter, who co-founder of the iconic British rock band Traffic, is undergoing immediate medical treatment after doctors found the condition during a routine appointment (pictured in 1970) 

‘His team of doctors has advised against all tour activity, and therefore we have canceled his Fall tour.’

Dave revealed he was ‘heartbroken’ to have to cancel his tour dates and let his fans down. 

He added: ‘I’m heartbroken to have to cancel these dates, but it’s doctor’s orders.

‘I’ll be back, and better than ever, in 2025.’

The star was due to play Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara California on Tuesday followed by The Canyon in Montclair on Thursday. 

The tour was expected to conclude on October 12 but will now be rescheduled for next year once Dave has made a full recovery. 

Originally from Worcester, Dave rose to fame after founding the rock band Traffic during the 1960s alongside Steve Winwood, drummer Jim Capaldi, and multi-instrumentalist Chris Wood.

However, Dave left the band following the release of their debut album Mr Fantasy in 1967, only for him to later rejoin the band for their next album Traffic a year later. 

Breaking the news via an official statement on his website, his team wrote: ‘We are sorry to inform you Dave Mason has a serious heart condition detected in a routine appointment that requires immediate attention’

He added: ‘I’m heartbroken to have to cancel these dates, but it’s doctor’s orders.  I’ll be back, and better than ever, in 2025’ (pictured in 2015) 

Originally from Worcester, Dave rose to fame after founding the rock band Traffic during the 1960s alongside Steve Winwood, drummer Jim Capaldi, and multi-instrumentalist Chris Wood (pictured in 1967) 

Dave wrote one of Traffic’s most famous hits, Feelin’ Alright?, which was later covered by many artists, including Joe Cocker, Three Dog Night, and The Jackson 5. 

After leaving the band again, Dave went on to have his own solo career, working with many legendary musicians including Paul McCartney, Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton. 

Dave and the other members of Traffic were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame back in 2004 alongside George Harrison, Prince and ZZ Top. 

Dave moved permanently to the US in 1971 and lived in the Ojai Valley in California for 16 years. He was last known to also have homes in Nevada and Hawaii.