Dave Mason, born David Thomas Mason on May 10th 1946 in Worcester, England, is an English guitarist, singer and songwriter who was a member of Fleetwood Mac from 1993 to 1995. He featured on their Another Link in the Chain tour and their 1995 album Time.
Before Fleetwood Mac[]
Mason's recording career began with Traffic, a psychedelic jazz-influenced band led by Steve Winwood, formerly of the Spencer Davis Group. He appeared on their first three album releases contributing vocals, guitar and songwriting. His most notable contribution to the group was Hole In My Shoe (1967) which peaked at No 2 in the UK as did a cover by a comedy act in 1984.
From 1969-70 Mason toured with Delaney & Bonnie and friends in a line-up that also featured Eric Clapton and George Harrison.
When Traffic reformed in 1970, Mason was not invited to take part, although he returned briefly for the live album Welcome to the Canteen (1971). His solo debut Alone Together (1970) featured contributions from Bonnie Bramlett, Rita Coolidge, Leon Russell and a number of notable session musicians. The single Only You Know and I Know peaked at #42 on Billboard.
More albums followed including a collaboration with Cass Elliot of The Mamas and the Papas in 1971. His biggest hit single was We Just Disagree (1977) although this was not a song he had written.
Fleetwood Mac[]
The invitation to join Fleetwood Mac came in 1993 as Mick Fleetwood, an old friend of Mason's, sought to establish a new line-up to record and tour. Mason replaced departed lead guitarist Rick Vito while Bekka Bramlett, the daughter of Delaney & Bonnie, was recruited in place of long-term vocalist Stevie Nicks.
Mason and Bramlett featured in a photograph announcing the new line-up with Fleetwood, John McVie and Christine McVie but when the group made its debut performance at the 1994 World Cup celebrations, the lineup was without Christine McVie, who did not wish to tour at this time, but did feature the return of Billy Burnette who had first joined in 1987.
The first song released by this lineup was Blow by Blow, sung and co-written by Mason. This featured on the World Cup 1994 album and was also one of only two new songs performed on the subsequent Another Link in the Chain tour (1994-5).
The only album Mason recorded with the group was Time (1995). The album featured another version of Blow By Blow and one other Mason contribution, I Wonder Why. But the album was not a commercial success and the lineup split shortly afterwards. The band's Rumours line-up would reunite in 1997.
After Fleetwood Mac[]
Mason returned to his solo career. Bekka Bramlett performed with Mason on his Alone Together Again tour in the 2010s.
Fleetwood Mac colleagues[]
Christine McVie (remote capacity only)
Other internal collaborations[]
Lindsey Buckingham (Nothin' Without You (1995))
Jeremy Spencer (1995 live guest apperance)