Tony Maiden (Rufus)
Tony Maiden is a rhythm lead guitarist who is well known from the funk band called Rufus where Chaka Khan grew up in.
Tony was already successful before Rufus. He was a member of a soul show band called “Rhythm Rebellion” and was touring all around US, Canada and Europe in late 60’s. After that, “High Voltage” was his band. They released a very funky album in 1972 by Columbia Records. His soul-mate, Lalomie Washburn, was also in the group and they wrote many songs together. Some of them were brought in Rufus later on.
Rufus also was quite successful but not like after Tony Maiden joined in 1974. He brought in with some more “nasty” funk taste in the band’s sound, outfits, and performance. Chaka Khan was growing together in this renewed funky band and polished her fully-open soulful voice there.
Tony has lots of fans and admirers especially in Japan, and has toured there several times as a solo artist. He performed with Shikao Suga, a popular Japanese singer, on Tokyo Jazz Festival in 2012. He also brought Rufus back to Japan and performed at Blue Note Tokyo in 2008, 2010 (featuring Sly Stone), and 2011.
Tony was one of Prince’s guitar heroes, and his pictures is painted on a big wall of Paisley Park along with Stevie Wonder, Jimi Hendrix, Santana, his mentor Larry Graham, and so on. Prince also mentioned Tony as his “guitar teacher” in his book “The Beautiful Ones.”
[Bands]
Rhythm Rebellion
High Voltage
[Links]
https://www.google.co.jp/amp/s/www.premierguitar.com/amp/5-funk-guitarists-you-should-know-2651082607
https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/prince-favourite-guitarist-hendrix-santana-list/
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