Sidney Maiden
b. 1923, Mansfield, Louisiana, USA. A shadowy figure about whom little has been written, Maiden was evidently influenced by John Lee (Sonny Boy) Williamson when learning the harmonica. Sometimes in the Forties, he made the journey west to work in the shipyards around Richmond, California. There he met K.C. Douglas and the pair began to work clubs in the area. In 1948 he and Douglas recorded for Bob Geddins’ Down Town, with his Eclipse Of The Sun becoming a notable performance amongst collectors. He next recorded in April 1952 for Imperial, an eight-track session with The Blues Blowers, perhaps including Douglas and Otis Cherry on drums, from which just one single was released. Moving to Los Angeles the following year, he joined up with drummer B. Brown and guitarist Haskell Sadler to inaugurate the Flash label, each man recording one single. Hurry Hurry Baby was an unsteady boogie piece distantly akin to J immy Reed's You Don't Have To Go. In 1957, he recorded Hand Me Down Baby for Dig, with guitarist Slim Green. Four years later, he was recruited by Arhoolie boss Chris Strachwitz to participate in sessions with Douglas and Mercy Dee, during which he also recorded an album leased to Bluesville. During the '60s, he formed his own group and worked the Fresno area, since when his whereabouts and fate are unknown.