Have you ever heard of Gary Mallaber? He is an incredibly talented drummer and percussionist who has played with some of the most famous bands in history. Even if you don’t recognize his name, you have definitely heard his music.
Mallaber grew up in Buffalo, New York, where he started playing the drums in his school band. He quickly realized that he had a natural talent and began to pursue a career in music. In the early 1970s, he moved to Los Angeles and began to play with a variety of bands.
One of Mallaber’s first big breaks came when he joined the Steve Miller Band. He played on four of their albums, including the hit record “Fly Like an Eagle.” His rhythm and percussion work on that album became instantly recognizable and helped establish him as one of the top drummers of the era.
After leaving the Steve Miller Band, Mallaber went on to play with a variety of famous artists. He worked with Eddie Money, Bruce Springsteen, and Van Morrison, to name just a few. Fans of the Doors might recognize his name from their album “Other Voices, ” which Mallaber played on after the death of Jim Morrison.
Despite playing with all these famous bands, Mallaber remained largely unknown to the general public. He was a studio musician, which meant that he played on albums but rarely performed live. Most people who heard his music only knew him as a name in the album credits.
But that doesn’t mean his work went unnoticed. Fans of classic rock can hear Mallaber’s contributions to some of the most famous songs of the era. If you listen to the drums on Van Morrison’s “Moondance” or Bruce Springsteen’s “Born to Run, ” you’re hearing Mallaber’s work.
In addition to his drumming skills, Mallaber is also known for his work as a percussionist. He played a wide variety of instruments, including congas, timbales, and maracas. His use of percussion helped give many of the songs he played on a unique and memorable sound.
Today, Mallaber is still working in the music industry. He has played on recent albums by artists like Bonnie Raitt and Jack Johnson. Although he is now in his seventies, he shows no signs of slowing down.
So why hasn’t Gary Mallaber become a household name like some of the artists he has worked with? Part of it might be due to the nature of studio musicianship. These musicians work behind the scenes, creating the sounds that help make popular music what it is. But because they are not the faces on stage, they often go unnoticed.
Regardless of whether or not the public knows his name, Gary Mallaber’s contributions to music are undeniable. He is a master of rhythm and percussion, and his work has helped define some of the most famous songs in history. If you love classic rock, chances are you’ve already been a fan of his work without even realizing it.
Gary Mallaber may not be a household name, but he is a true legend in the music industry. He has played with some of the most famous bands and musicians of all time, and his work has helped shape the sound of classic rock. If you ever have the opportunity to hear his music, whether on an old album or a new one, take a moment to appreciate the incredible talent of this musical genius.