Joey DeMaio
Encyclopedia
Joey DeMaio is an American
bass player and main songwriter for the heavy metal
band Manowar which he co-founded in 1980. He is also the founder and CEO of Magic Circle Music
.
Born in Auburn, New York
, he was a childhood friend of Manowar singer Eric Adams
. DeMaio played bass in several school bands. In the 1970s he toured with the musical Godspell
(premiere in 1971 in New York City), taking musical lessons with the conductor.
He worked as a pyro-tech for Black Sabbath
during their "Heaven and Hell
" tour. He is known to display his technical abilities and playing speed during solos both on Manowar studio recordings and live shows, often covering classical parts such as "Flight of the Bumblebee
", which DeMaio has retitled "Sting of the Bumblebee" in reference to his high-speed renditions of the piece. DeMaio has mentioned that he is a practitioner of martial arts
and weight training
, and is also a great fan of motorcycles (Manowar frequently rides on to stage on Harleys). He is famous for his piccolo bass sound. His refurbed basses have a distinct sound. Worked on by tech John "Dawk" Stillwell. His older basses have sold for high prices to acclaimed musicians such as "Soldier" who uses one Rickenbacker
bass on the Sleepy Hollow
albums Legend and Lazarus Project.
In 2006, shortly after creating the record label
Magic Circle Music
, he became manager of the Italian metal band Rhapsody of Fire
. He is also a producer for the band HolyHell
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
bass player and main songwriter for the heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band Manowar which he co-founded in 1980. He is also the founder and CEO of Magic Circle Music
Magic Circle Music
- History :Magic Circle Music was founded by Manowar bassist Joey DeMaio in 2005 named after Richard Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen by which DeMaio is highly inspired. The purpose of the label is to give the band complete creative control of their operation...
.
Born in Auburn, New York
Auburn, New York
Auburn is a city in Cayuga County, New York, United States of America. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 27,687...
, he was a childhood friend of Manowar singer Eric Adams
Eric Adams (singer)
Eric Adams has been the singer of the heavy metal band Manowar since 1980. Before he became the band's singer in 1980, he had sung for a group, called LOOKS. In the band was also future Manowar bassist and childhood friend, Joey DeMaio.-Early life:Eric Adams was born on 12 July 1954, in Auburn,...
. DeMaio played bass in several school bands. In the 1970s he toured with the musical Godspell
Godspell
Godspell is a musical by Stephen Schwartz and John-Michael Tebelak. It opened off Broadway on May 17, 1971, and has played in various touring companies and revivals many times since, including a 2011 revival now playing on Broadway...
(premiere in 1971 in New York City), taking musical lessons with the conductor.
He worked as a pyro-tech for Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
during their "Heaven and Hell
Heaven and Hell (Black Sabbath album)
Heaven and Hell is the ninth studio album by British heavy metal band Black Sabbath, released in April 1980. This is their first album featuring Ronnie James Dio, and first with producer Martin Birch.-Album information:...
" tour. He is known to display his technical abilities and playing speed during solos both on Manowar studio recordings and live shows, often covering classical parts such as "Flight of the Bumblebee
Flight of the Bumblebee
"Flight of the Bumblebee" is an orchestral interlude written by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov for his opera The Tale of Tsar Saltan, composed in 1899–1900. The piece closes Act III, Tableau 1, during which the magic Swan-Bird changes Prince Gvidon Saltanovich into an insect so that he can fly away to...
", which DeMaio has retitled "Sting of the Bumblebee" in reference to his high-speed renditions of the piece. DeMaio has mentioned that he is a practitioner of martial arts
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
and weight training
Weight training
Weight training is a common type of strength training for developing the strength and size of skeletal muscles. It uses the weight force of gravity to oppose the force generated by muscle through concentric or eccentric contraction...
, and is also a great fan of motorcycles (Manowar frequently rides on to stage on Harleys). He is famous for his piccolo bass sound. His refurbed basses have a distinct sound. Worked on by tech John "Dawk" Stillwell. His older basses have sold for high prices to acclaimed musicians such as "Soldier" who uses one Rickenbacker
Rickenbacker
Rickenbacker International Corporation, also known as Rickenbacker, is an electric and bass guitar manufacturer based in Santa Ana, California...
bass on the Sleepy Hollow
Sleepy Hollow (band)
Sleepy Hollow is a rock band that formed in Lodi in 1999. Their music is an eclectic blend of classic heavy metal, progressive rock, and psychedelic rock influences. All members share vocal duties...
albums Legend and Lazarus Project.
In 2006, shortly after creating the record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
Magic Circle Music
Magic Circle Music
- History :Magic Circle Music was founded by Manowar bassist Joey DeMaio in 2005 named after Richard Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen by which DeMaio is highly inspired. The purpose of the label is to give the band complete creative control of their operation...
, he became manager of the Italian metal band Rhapsody of Fire
Rhapsody of Fire
Rhapsody of Fire is an Italian symphonic power metal band led by Alex Staropoli. Since forming in 1993, the band has released eight studio albums, one live album, two EPs, and a live DVD...
. He is also a producer for the band HolyHell
HolyHell
HolyHell is a power metal band, formed in 2005, who are being produced by Joey DeMaio of Manowar. The band has delayed the release of their debut album, choosing instead to tour with Manowar and Rhapsody of Fire....
.