Bruce Mays

Started playing music when he was five.

Drums, bass and keyboards.

Played with The Allman Brothers, Merl Saunders, Dickey Betts & Great Southern, George Clinton and Left Over Salmon.

1980 Tour
Dickey Betts & Great Southern
J. Giels
Lynard Skynard
Peter Frampton

Biography

Bruce's uncle, Willie Mays, also had an influence in his childhood. Perhaps it runs in the family? Bruce was an avid football and baseball player; however, Bruce did not want to follow in Willie's footsteps.

That's What I Want To Do
Though his dad had takend him to Woodstock as a youngster, Bruce's first real concert was Sly and the Family Stone at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His older brothers took him, along with friends from Jenkintown, to the show. Bruce was so taken by the experience that he said, "That's what I'm going to do." He had to find a way back stage. In his effort to get past security, he met Allen Spivak. At the time, Allen Spivak was partners with Larry Magid, owners of the Electric Factory and booking agency for the Spectum. Over the years, Allen introduced Bruce to the inside of the music business.

Los Angeles
Bruce had to play music. In 1977, right out of high school, Bruce moved to Los Angeles and got into the music scene. He became friends with Bill Lordan, drummer for the Robin Trower band. Bill introduced Bruce to Sly Stone. It was not long before Bruce was doing live gigs with Sly.

Dickey Betts
Bruce did not stay in L.A. for long. In 1979, he was at a party at John Spagnola and Louie Giammona house. Sitting around with Michael Tearson, Greg Allman and Dickey Betts, an Allman Brother's song came on the radio. Bruce started tapping on the table. Dickey asked Bruce if he could "do that". Bruce went home at got his sticks and was playing Boston Garden the next night with the Allman Brother's Band on percussion. ["My brother, Sterling Mays, could not believe it." -- Bruce Mays]

They went on tour with Molly Hatchet... and the rest is history. Bruce's friendship with Dickey grew over the years to a point where Bruce now calls him "my second father".