Dave Mason of Traffic Shares Heartbreaking Reason for Canceling Tour

Lauren Novak November 7, 11:43 am

Dave Mason performs Dave Mason's Traffic Jam at City Winery on July 21, 2015 in New York, New York — Bobby Bank/Getty Images

In September, British rocker Dave Mason, best known for the band Traffic, canceled the fall leg of his Traffic Jam tour. Now, he is revealing the scary reason why he had to cancel the tour and what is next for him and his health. He admitted that doctors found a “serious heart condition” that “needs immediate medical attention.” He will be undergoing heart valve replacement surgery on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024.

In a post for his fans, the 78-year-old wrote, “First of all, I’d like to thank you for the thousands of well wishes you’ve sent me. It’s helped so much as this has been a difficult journey. I’ve taken your messages to heart, literally.”

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He continued, “My case hasn’t been necessarily straightforward, but I wonder if any serious heart issues are. I’m grateful to my team of doctors who’ve been excellent in guiding me through this. I’m ready, finally, for my heart valve replacement surgery on Nov. 11. I am happily a candidate for a TAVR, which is a minimally invasive procedure. Mick Jagger has had the same surgery, and we’ve all been lucky to have him continue to entertain us.”

Dave Mason performs at the Catalyst on March 14, 1992 in Santa Cruz, California

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Mason concluded, “They say I should feel significantly better in 30 days, and fully rocking in 90, given a smooth operation. Winifred and I are confident that we’re in great hands and we’re looking forward to getting my health back and feeling better than I have in quite a while. We’re feeling great about the future. Music is my life, and it means the world to me to be able to share it with you.” He also thanked the band, crew and the entire team for their commitment to his time off and promised to update fans as soon as possible.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Dave Mason, founding member of the classic rock band Traffic, performs onstage at Saban Theatre on October 06, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California

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As of now, all scheduled dates have been canceled, but it sounds like Mason hopes to get back out there one day after his recovery. He is still scheduled to participate in the seven-day music cruise On the Blue Cruise in August 2025. Wishing him a speedy recovery! Stay tuned for updates.