Sal Maida, a famous rock bassist who played with Roxy Music, Sparks and more, has died at age 76.
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Maida’s wife, Lisa Burns-Maida, announced that the bassist died Saturday in New York of complications resulting from a fall in December, per THR.
Born in New York City on July 29, 1948, Maida was raised in Little Italy.
He got his start touring with Roxy Music and then became a member of Milk ’N’ Cookies.
His decades-long career also included playing with Ronnie Spector, The Runaways, Cracker/Camper Van Beethoven, Mary Weiss of the Shangri-Las, Annie Golden of The Shirts and Velveteen.
Sal Maida Was a Renowned Bassist and a Integral Part of the 1970s NYC Music Scene
In recent years, he hosted a radio show, Spin Cycle, and wrote the 2017 memoir Four Strings, Phony Proof and 300 45s. The book’s publisher, HoZac Books, also recruited him to co-author and co-edit two volumes of the White Label Promo Preservation Society, which spotlighted underappreciated classic albums.
HoZac paid tribute to Maida on their Facebook page on Sunday.
“Sal was everywhere you wanted to be, literally… He had so much to share and we’re so glad he did, and we’re all smarter and better for it,” they shared in part. “Rest well Sal, a true pillar of underground rock’n roll that will stand the test of time.”
Sparks also took to their Instagram account to remember the bassist.
“We are saddened to learn about the sudden passing of Sal Maida,” they wrote. “He was Sparks’ bass player during the Big Beat (1976) era and a friend to this day. Our hearts go out to his family and friends. Sal will be missed. – Ron & Russell.”
Maida was precended in death by his son Dylan, who died in December 2019 of melanoma.
His wife noted that he is survived by her, his son’s godparents, Anthony and Kathleen Lifrieri, and “countless friends who loved him dearly.”