26 Apr “The World Lost a Legend. I Lost a Friend.”
It’s hard to find the right words for moments like this.
My dear friend of over 30 years, Dave Mason, passed away earlier this week. The world has lost not only a truly remarkable human being, but one of the great music artists of our time—a Rock & Roll Hall of Famer whose voice, guitar, and songwriting helped shape generations.
I had the deep honor of working alongside Dave many times over the years, and one of the greatest privileges of my career was producing his final live concert album and DVD release. Being in the room with him when he performed, which I had the pleasure of doing many times with my wife, was something you didn’t just witness—you felt it. There was a timelessness to his artistry that can never be replicated.
Beyond the music, there are the memories that stay with me most. The conversations, the laughter, the honesty. For years, I was always nudging him about reconnecting musically with Steve Winwood. We even spent time together pursuing a long-running royalty situation with a distributor tied to a project we both cared deeply about. It took nearly three years before Dave and I finally received our checks—something we would end up laughing about later, as life has a way of turning even frustration into shared stories when there’s trust and friendship at the center of it.
Dave Mason gave the world so much more than songs. He gave it soul, truth, and a sound that will live far beyond his time here. And to those who knew him personally, he gave something even more rare—his presence, his wit, and his heart.
He left us far too soon, and far too young in spirit for anyone who knew how much music still lived inside him.
I will miss my friend deeply.
Rest easy, Dave. Your music is eternal.
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