Sal Maida (Roxy Music, Sparks)
By Thomas Semioli
He’s had quite a life in rock and roll…and he’s still going strong on record and on the bandstand.
Salvatore Maida was among the stellar bassists employed by one of the most influential collectives in the history of rock ‘n’ roll, Roxy Music.
And he anchored one of the great lost glam pop ensembles of the 1970s – Milk ‘n’ Cookies.
Maida, who migrated to London from Little Italy at the onset of the glam rock movement to pursue his craft, shines on two stunning tracks which outstrip their respective studio versions – “Pyjamarama” and “Chance Meeting” – included on the iconic ensemble’s only live collection released during their 1970s reign as vanguards and innovators.
Utilizing a plectrum and a 1965 Fender Precision, and Dan Electro Longhorn, Sal lives for the pocket with a penchant for plying inventive upper register countermelodies.
Maida, who is also a writer/producer, additionally worked craft with the Sparks (Big Beat / 1976), David Lowery (The Palace Guards/ 2011), and Edward Rogers, among many others.
Sal was also a member of Cracker and appears on Greenland (2006) Sunrise in the Land of Milk and Honey (2009). Sal is married to singer songwriter, recording artist Lisa Burns, with whom he has collaborated with on several projects including her solo sides Unadorned (2004) and The Last Day of Winter (2014) by George Usher and Lisa Burns, among others .
But don’t let me tell you about Sal, read his extraordinary autobiography Four Strings, Phony Proof, and 300 45s: Adventures from Roxy Music, Sparks, & Milk N’ Cookies (Perfect Press)
Dig Sal Maida on Know Your Bass Player On Film Season One – 2015 New York City, Euphoria Studios https://bit.ly/3lp6Wpb
