Michael J Maddalena – Drums and Percussion
Michael J. Maddalena started playing when he was 4 years old, renting drum sets at Haywood’s Music Store. Until his parents said, “He’s serious. It’s time to by him his own set.” Introduced to Rush, Moving Pictures in 1981, Michael was 12 years old and vinyl records were still the way to listen to music. He practiced Tom Sawyer until the record was unplayable, stripping the vinyl off three records, annoying the neighbors because he was playing the same thing again and again. Neil Peart’s magic with his 15 piece drum set, small toms, large toms, chimes, different cymbals, amazed Michael to which he hoped to one day aspire. Michael approached his drums differently, learning he had a third eye for music.
After playing for all school activities, Jazz Band to Marching Band, Jazz Ensembles to Chorus, he graduated to collaborating with three other musicians, forming his first band, Euphoria. As Sophomores in High School Euphoria won the local Battle of the Bands and was amongst the finalists at C.W. Posts College Battle of the Bands!
Through the years Michael played in numerous cover and original bands learning the importance of remaining loyal to your beliefs, surrounding yourself with positive people who also strive to remain loyal to their beliefs…bringing him to where he is today with The Rush Project NY!!!