Sal Rota is an American musician,
keyboard
Keyboard may refer to:
Text input
* Keyboard, part of a typewriter
* Computer keyboard
** Keyboard layout, the software control of computer keyboards and their mapping
** Keyboard technology, computer keyboard hardware and firmware
Music
* Musi ...
player, singer and songwriter. He was born in Philadelphia. He was a member of R&B group The Crystal Mansion, along with
David White. In his 15 years of performing keyboards, organ and vocals with the Crystal Mansion, Sal recorded 2 albums and opened for acts such as
Sly and the Family Stone
Sly and the Family Stone was an American band from San Francisco. Active from 1966 to 1983, it was pivotal in the development of funk, soul, rock, and psychedelic music. Its core line-up was led by singer-songwriter, record producer, and multi ...
,
Rare Earth,
Steppenwolf, and
Mahavishnu Orchestra
The Mahavishnu Orchestra were a jazz fusion band formed in New York City in 1971, led by English guitarist John McLaughlin. The group underwent several line-up changes throughout its history across its two periods of activity, from 1971 to 1976 ...
, among many others. Beginning in 1979, he was also a member of
The Soul Survivors
The Soul Survivors are an American, Philadelphia-based, soul and R&B group, founded by New York natives Richie and Charlie Ingui along with Kenny Jeremiah. The Soul Survivors are known for their 1967 hit single ''Expressway to Your Heart'', whi ...
, known for their hit "
Expressway to Your Heart
"Expressway to Your Heart" is a song written by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff and performed by the Soul Survivors. It appeared on their 1967 album, ''When the Whistle Blows Anything Goes'', which was produced by Gamble and Huff.
The song reached # ...
", and then worked at The Springfield Inn with The Rage Band for 12 years.
Sal provided backup vocals on an album by
Bernadette Peters
Bernadette Peters ( ''née'' Lazzara; born February 28, 1948) is an American actress, singer, and children's book author. Over a career spanning more than six decades, she has starred in musical theatre, television and film, performed in solo co ...
.
Discography
Crystal Mansion Featuring Johnny Caswell (1969, Capitol Records)
The Crystal Mansion (1971, Motown/Rare Earth)
Bernadette Peters (1980) MCA. Billboard 200 #114 (retitled and expanded as Bernadette in a 1992 CD reissue)
External links
Crystal Mansion on AllMusic.comCrystal Mansion Live at Truffles 1974-Straight AgainCrystal Mansion - Carolina In My Mind (1970)Sal Rota on AllMusic.com
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American keyboardists
Living people
Year of birth missing (living people)