by Hal Saylor and Lonnie Morris
compiled by Greg Allard
David Mason, not to be confused with the Dave Mason of Traffic fame, has reportedly died in Tallahassee, Fla. on September 13. He was 63. Although he was a fixture in the music scene for many years in Gainesville, his talents and ambitions were too big for just one town. Throughout the course of his career, he played for the likes of Joe Walsh, Elton John, Todd Rundgren and many others. Gainesville musician Hal Saylor, who had a good deal of association with him, remembers.
Hal Saylor: David Mason was such a great organ player. He was influenced by the great Hammond organ players of the ‘60s, including Jimmy Smith and Jack McDuff. He told me stories of sitting for hours and copping Jimmy Smith solos, note for note as a kid.
He was always on the cutting edge when it came to his keyboard gear– always finding a way to procure the latest technological innovation in the gear he possessed. I know he played with many groups in Gainesville in the ‘60s and ‘70s including a band with Tom Petty, that I cannot remember the name of, and the successful early ‘70s southeastern US touring R&B road band Blacklash.
He then got the call from Todd Rundgren and co-wrote and performed on the highly successful art rock album Todd Rundgren’s Utopia. He toured in support of that album with a clear plexiglass Hammond B3 that was supposed to be quite an eye-opening stage prop.
A little later, he performed in Joe Walsh’s band and recorded a really great live album “You Can’t Argue with a Sick Mind.” He told stories of participating in Walsh’s infamous road antics that got him kicked out of and sued by hotels across the world, including the time Walsh hauled a fire-hose out from the emergency fire cabinet, stuck it under the door of the drummer, turned it on and soaked four floors of some upscale hotel, causing thousand of dollars in damages. He had a gold album on his wall with that one.
After that, he was a first-call touring B3 player, through the connections of Gainesville’s Bernie Leadon and Don Felder, for people like Jackson Browne, Melanie, etc.
He had a picture of himself and Elton John sharing the same piano bench and playing two on the same piano. He met Elton in LA and Elton was blown away with his playing. Elton took David to England and did a brief UK tour with him. Then, I think, the death of David’s daughter brought him back to GV.
He played with just about every jazz/blues groove-oriented group here in the ‘80s, including a groove band called Collage. I played every Monday night with him at the Blue Monday Jam at Richenbachers in the mid-late-‘80s, and he recorded a lot of midi stuff of which I collaborated on.
The WRUF-TV News used his piece for a few years as their main music theme, called 5 Alive. David then moved to Tallahassee and played on a regular basis with George Clinton.
He is survived by his son, Brook, of Newberry.
He was the most gentle soul I have ever met. RIP David Roger Mason.
Lonnie Morris: When David was in our band, Styrofoam Soule, I found David to be extremely talented and exciting as a musician. Around the time David played with us we probably had changed the name to The Steve Morris Band. On You Tube, are about 20 recordings we did live in 1974 at Perry, FL with David on B3 and Fender Rhodes.
He had a great personality, a very nice person, had a good sense of humor. His playing had a great groove with a soulful and jazzy feel but he fit in rock music well too. I feel honored that he played with us and am sorry to hear he has 
passed.
Loved David very much we played together recorded together and did a few things we weren’t suppose to do together as well. He was a True talent! I will miss him along with many others. Markman
I photographed Todd backstage a decade ago. He was aware that former Utopia member Dave Mason(1973-1974)(not the Traffic Dave) was in the audience. David was also a member of the Joe Walsh band. Todd and Dave had not seen each other and Todd said he did not want to see anyone backstage until he saw David. This was the Tallahassee Moon. I went to the audience to retrieved David. It had only been Todd, Royston Langdon of Spacehog(husband of Liv Tyler), and myself. I have the only photographs of their meeting. Todd asked David where he went after he left the band. Dave said, “Jamaica”. I asked for two more photos and left. It was personal. I will miss David and thankful for the times I was able to see him.
Sure would like to see those photos Rick. This article says “reportedly” but I can’t seem to find any reports or an obit. Can someone share the links?
We interviewed Dave 4 years ago and he was a super nice guy …
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/runt/2009/04/08/rundgren-radio-with-david-mason
A excellent musician, a great freind. I enjoyed the stories he told. I enjoyed the music that he composed when we worked a Liberty Comm. He had a great personality. I will miss him.
My mom, Pat Wilson, was very close to David. We travelled to Tally with Brook, to get as much of his stuff as possible. Mom has several CDs including some of Collage, if anyone would like to make copies. My mom spoke with David every week and misses him so much. If anyone would like to give her a call to reminisce or listen to some of his last recordings, please get in touch. She has not gotten through all the CDs yet and finds new stuff every day.
Sally, I will be coming to Gainesville for Thanksgiving & I told your Mom I would come help her. I hope she is hanging in there. I’ll give her a call soon. My Mom, Bea Crawford, & I are going to take her out to lunch. As you know, my family has been close to David almost all of his life. He was my boyfriend when I was 13 & he also played in The Sundowners with my brother, Robert Crawford. We have remained friends throughout the years. He was a wonderful friend & we miss him greatly. I look forward to meeting you when I come to Gainesville. Say hi to Pat for me. Peace.
I will let mom know. She will be pleased to see you and to share some of the memories.
My number is 352-258-8726 and is usually the best way to reach me.
When David’s life partner of more than twenty years, Brenda Neil, died unexpectedly at the end of May, David was unable to overcome his grief and died September 13 of anorexia and depression according to the death certificate. While David’s playing was memorable, he also wrote a lot of great songs.
– Patricia Mason
I learned of David’s passing about a year ago. It hurt. I was great friends with David circa 1960-1964. David was a sweet kid. I use to go over to his house on 10th Ave. in Gainesville and he would play the B3 for me. I was always mesmerized. I am proud to have known this cat. He could not have been a nicer human being. RIP dear old friend.
i played bass with david mason in a club called moms kitchen in gainesville , he was a great player sorry he passed, i would like to have played more with him, about 1971, rip
just want to say thank you Hal and Lonnie for caring and writing this wonderful memorial and everyone remembering and loving him. It is so nice of you!
Sorry for the extremely very late thank you.
I miss him so much!
Even his annoying girlfriend that he killed himself over, miss her too !
I don’t miss the girlfriend’s mom and sisters that STOLE all of his money!
Just now able to listen to his music again without crying.
I miss his crazy jokes the most. He was a super funny guy!
I am very glad I gave him my digital Yamaha 4-track and brought him into digital world back in 2001 when my baby was born. You should of seen his face! He was still only used to those giant clunky Tascam reel to reels that lose fidelity.
Brook, please contact me, doug at rundgrenradio dot com. Thanks.