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Four Strings, Phony Proof, and 300 45s : Adventures from Roxy Music, Sparks, and Milk and Cookies
HoZac Books is proud to present Four Strings, Phony Proof, and 300 45s, written by Sal Maida, one of the most interesting 1970s rock figures you just don’t know enough about. As a member of TWO such integral and ground-breaking 70s bands, ROXY MUSIC and SPARKS, not to mention NYC glam/power pop impresarios MILK ’N COOKIES, as well as studio work with the RUNAWAYS and Robert Calvert’s post-Hawkwind solo material, it’s no secret that Maida was in the right place at the right time, more times than we can count. His first book is presented here for the first time, along with his stash of personal UNPUBLISHED/UNSEEN photographs (including meeting Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Mick Jagger in 1969) on his first of many trips to the UK in the late 1960s, as well as many bands he witnessed in their embryonic states just as the monumental shift in music was taking place at the end of the psychedelic era. From his intricately-detailed stories about growing up in Little Italy’s protected confines, and his far-ahead-of-the-curve craze for record “collecting” before that was even a concept, this book takes you on a ride through Martin Scorsese’s mob territory (they grew up only a few blocks apart) and how it’s inescapable soundtrack influenced him deeply, as well as the unbeaten paths deep within the music-obsessed trenches we all love so well.
178 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2017
11 people want to read
About the author
Sal Maida
5 books2 followersSal Maida was an American bassist. He was known for his work with Milk 'N' Cookies, Roxy Music, Ronnie Spector, and Sparks.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 14, 2021
Another winning publication from Hozac Books. If you love rock & roll – Hozac is the place to find these incredible releases of great music as well as some fantastic reading material. In this book we learn about the life and career of bass player extraordinaire Sal Maida. OK, I have to admit that I didn’t really know about him, but the subtitle “Adventures from Roxy Music, Sparks and Milk ‘n Cookies” as well as a forward by Lenny Kaye quickly made me make a quick purchase decision.
Sal Maida paints a fascinating story about an Italian kid from New York who falls in love with rock & roll and follows his dream to become a musician. Along the way he meets and plays with some of the biggest names (and “unknowns”) in the industry. Famous names pop in and out of each paragraph and he writes in an easy-going style that makes it seem that you’re just hanging out with him at some dive bar.
He's a self-professed fan of British music and actually has pictures of Paul McCartney during his first trip as a teenager to England. This love of British music drives him to return many times and leads him to becoming a bass player with Roxy Music for several tours. Other opportunities occur with dizzying frequency, but Sal never does hit that major record deal jackpot. Milk ‘n Cookies is an interesting band that was signed to Island, but never seemed to get the break it needed. His experience with Sparks peters out the same way, but Sal never seems to get disillusioned with his career – he keeps plugging away and winds working in the studio and touring with many stars.
But he’s just not a great musician; he never loses his love of rock & roll and spends a lot of time talking about all the bands and shows he’s seen in the “Golden Age of Rock & Roll”. You and I may think that we’ve seen a lot of great music, but Sal Maida is in the rock & roll hall od fame in this category. Starting in the 1960s (he admits to having tickets to Woodstock but not going); if there’s anybody (especially from the British Invasion) – he’s seen them. He provides unbiased comments about almost everybody (the “Byrds” were a terrible live band) and just provokes fits of jealousy from in me from all the other shows he seen. Of course, he was in NYC when CBGBs started up and in London for the first wave of punk.
If this is not enough, Sal Maida is an avid record collector and the last 60 pages or so of this book are dedicated to his favorite 300 singles. They are grouped in lots of 100 and he describes why each record is so important. You’ll recognize most of the names, but there are quite a few obscure names that are just begging for a listen.
And to top it off, now I even know that Sal Maida was a Runaway; yes, Kim Fowley hired him to play bass on most of “And Now the Runaways”.
Definitely Recommended!
Sal Maida paints a fascinating story about an Italian kid from New York who falls in love with rock & roll and follows his dream to become a musician. Along the way he meets and plays with some of the biggest names (and “unknowns”) in the industry. Famous names pop in and out of each paragraph and he writes in an easy-going style that makes it seem that you’re just hanging out with him at some dive bar.
He's a self-professed fan of British music and actually has pictures of Paul McCartney during his first trip as a teenager to England. This love of British music drives him to return many times and leads him to becoming a bass player with Roxy Music for several tours. Other opportunities occur with dizzying frequency, but Sal never does hit that major record deal jackpot. Milk ‘n Cookies is an interesting band that was signed to Island, but never seemed to get the break it needed. His experience with Sparks peters out the same way, but Sal never seems to get disillusioned with his career – he keeps plugging away and winds working in the studio and touring with many stars.
But he’s just not a great musician; he never loses his love of rock & roll and spends a lot of time talking about all the bands and shows he’s seen in the “Golden Age of Rock & Roll”. You and I may think that we’ve seen a lot of great music, but Sal Maida is in the rock & roll hall od fame in this category. Starting in the 1960s (he admits to having tickets to Woodstock but not going); if there’s anybody (especially from the British Invasion) – he’s seen them. He provides unbiased comments about almost everybody (the “Byrds” were a terrible live band) and just provokes fits of jealousy from in me from all the other shows he seen. Of course, he was in NYC when CBGBs started up and in London for the first wave of punk.
If this is not enough, Sal Maida is an avid record collector and the last 60 pages or so of this book are dedicated to his favorite 300 singles. They are grouped in lots of 100 and he describes why each record is so important. You’ll recognize most of the names, but there are quite a few obscure names that are just begging for a listen.
And to top it off, now I even know that Sal Maida was a Runaway; yes, Kim Fowley hired him to play bass on most of “And Now the Runaways”.
Definitely Recommended!
April 26, 2019
FOr serious music fans only. Reading this book felt like talking to a scene veteran at a show or in a record store. Asking them questions about all the cool bands they have seen, how they got into their favorite records, and what it was like meeting some of your heroes.
Book is totally non-linear with totally stream of conscious topics. I liked his stories about Milk N Cookies in NY. Hanging with Johnny Thunders, seeing the Ramones. He was a total anglophile who moved to England to play and hooked up with Roxy Music. The Kim Fowley stories are great and I didn't know some of the bass on Ranaways records were ghost recorded by him. Lots of cool stories of seeing legendary bands in their prime in NY in the late 60's, best might be his Doors story.
The 300 singles reviews is what kills it for me. I plowed through them all this time, but will never have to again. Some interesting stuff, but 300 were tedious after a while. Like reading a whole book of record reviews.
Book is totally non-linear with totally stream of conscious topics. I liked his stories about Milk N Cookies in NY. Hanging with Johnny Thunders, seeing the Ramones. He was a total anglophile who moved to England to play and hooked up with Roxy Music. The Kim Fowley stories are great and I didn't know some of the bass on Ranaways records were ghost recorded by him. Lots of cool stories of seeing legendary bands in their prime in NY in the late 60's, best might be his Doors story.
The 300 singles reviews is what kills it for me. I plowed through them all this time, but will never have to again. Some interesting stuff, but 300 were tedious after a while. Like reading a whole book of record reviews.
October 1, 2024
Sal was one of the first people I met when I moved to Hollywood. He is really a great guy.
A great guy who wrote a good book!
The first park about his life was full of interesting things and about his musical journey. I loved all of that.
I really got to know a lot about tons of singles I loved and still love from the old days. That brought back so many great memories for me. Songs I had totally forgotten about and had to relook them up and listen again!!!
Then onto his list of favorite or overlooked bass players. I loved this part. A few that I knew personally and many that I knew the names but not the history.
Sal is a major record collector and tells his thoughts on his favorites. His descriptions are just perfect. This man knows way more than I ever will. Read it and you will understand!!!!
A great guy who wrote a good book!
The first park about his life was full of interesting things and about his musical journey. I loved all of that.
I really got to know a lot about tons of singles I loved and still love from the old days. That brought back so many great memories for me. Songs I had totally forgotten about and had to relook them up and listen again!!!
Then onto his list of favorite or overlooked bass players. I loved this part. A few that I knew personally and many that I knew the names but not the history.
Sal is a major record collector and tells his thoughts on his favorites. His descriptions are just perfect. This man knows way more than I ever will. Read it and you will understand!!!!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews