Roll Hall of Famer Dave Mason found early success with the band Traffic, establishing himself as a skilled guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter who penned the classic “Feelin’ Alright?”. Departing the band for a solo career, Mason earned three gold albums—Alone Together, Dave Mason, and Mariposa De Oro — and a platinum album, Let it Flow, which included the hit single “We Just Disagree.” In addition to his prolific solo work, Dave has been a member of Delaney & Bonnie & Friends, the original lineup of Derek & The Dominoes, a duo with Mama Cass Elliott, an ill-fated version of Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band, and the legendary Fleetwood Mac.
Along the way, he appeared on some of the most acclaimed recordings in music history, including The Spencer Davis Group’s “Gimme Some Lovin,’” George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass, The Rolling Stones’ “Street Fighting Man,” and close friend Jimi Hendrix’s classic “All Along the Watchtower.” Additionally, he has recorded with Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, David Crosby, Leon Russell, and Paul McCartney, who recruited Dave to play guitar on Wings’ first number one hit, “Listen to What the Man Said.”
From sell-out performances at Madison Square Garden to touring arenas with Peter Frampton, Dave was riding high as a bona fide rock star by the mid-1970s. But the successes didn’t come without challenges. Bad business deals, cocaine, and a seemingly endless touring schedule began to take their toll. Workmanlike in his dedication, however, the determined craftsman never gave up.
Here, for the first time, Dave shares some of the great untold tales in rock and roll— his complicated relationship with Traffic, his wild legal episodes with record companies, his battle with addiction and the loss of a child, and his eventual induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Traffic. He dives deep into the music and shares inside stories featuring a cast of characters that includes Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Gram Parsons, Eric Clapton, and many others.
Dave Mason’s reputation as a “quiet giant” has long been one of music’s great mysteries. Featuring over 150 photographs—as well as guest contributions from family members and friends such as Bonnie Bramlett, Mick Fleetwood, and Graham Nash—one of rock’s true heroes finally shares his colorful, unique, and ultimately triumphant journey through a life in music.