Tony Maiden

“Rufus was about great songs, vibe, pocket, and cleverly orchestrated arrangements. Dig the skanky, choked chord pattern on the intro to “You’ve Got The Love” on the live album Stompin’ at the Savoy, or the sultry, sliding double-stops on “Sweet Thing” (the latter of which was co-written by Maiden and Kahn for the album Rufus Featuring Chaka Kahn). Maiden’s guitar parts—which he played on everything from a Gibson ES-175 to an ES-345, Les Pauls, and a Fender Mustang (though recently he’s been playing rosewood Telecasters)—are a compositional marvel. His sublime rhythm work mixed melodic chording with delicious R&B lines, and tasteful effect use (check out his bluesy talk box work on live versions of “Tell Me Something Good”). But his guitar solos were impressive, too. In all, his playing style was a master class in the elements and techniques necessary to create imaginative parts with soul and finesse.“

“Rufus was about great songs, vibe, pocket, and cleverly orchestrated arrangements. Dig the skanky, choked chord pattern on the intro to “You’ve Got The Love” on the live album Stompin’ at the Savoy, or the sultry, sliding double-stops on “Sweet Thing” (the latter of which was co-written by Maiden and Kahn for the album Rufus Featuring Chaka Kahn). Maiden’s guitar parts—which he played on everything from a Gibson ES-175 to an ES-345, Les Pauls, and a Fender Mustang (though recently he’s been playing rosewood Telecasters)—are a compositional marvel. His sublime rhythm work mixed melodic chording with delicious R&B lines, and tasteful effect use (check out his bluesy talk box work on live versions of “Tell Me Something Good”). But his guitar solos were impressive, too. In all, his playing style was a master class in the elements and techniques necessary to create imaginative parts with soul and finesse.“

“Rufus was about great songs, vibe, pocket, and cleverly orchestrated arrangements. Dig the skanky, choked chord pattern on the intro to “You’ve Got The Love” on the live album Stompin’ at the Savoy, or the sultry, sliding double-stops on “Sweet Thing” (the latter of which was co-written by Maiden and Kahn for the album Rufus Featuring Chaka Kahn). Maiden’s guitar parts—which he played on everything from a Gibson ES-175 to an ES-345, Les Pauls, and a Fender Mustang (though recently he’s been playing rosewood Telecasters)—are a compositional marvel. His sublime rhythm work mixed melodic chording with delicious R&B lines, and tasteful effect use (check out his bluesy talk box work on live versions of “Tell Me Something Good”). But his guitar solos were impressive, too. In all, his playing style was a master class in the elements and techniques necessary to create imaginative parts with soul and finesse.“