Martin Briley

Although Martin Briley gained his widest recognition through the 1980s single “The Salt in My Tears,” his professional path has encompassed decades of work as both a supporting player and a composer. Born in Britain, he helped establish the group Mandrake Paddlesteamer—later known simply as Mandrake—and served as its principal guitarist for four years before departing in 1971. Four years afterward he signed on with the progressive-rock ensemble Greenslade, accompanying them on an American tour and staying through 1976, during which time he contributed to the 1975 album Time & Tide. Once Greenslade dissolved, Briley relocated to New York in pursuit of further opportunities and quickly established himself as a studio musician, lending his talents to numerous late-1970s recordings, including bass on Ellen Foley’s 1979 album Night Out; Foley had previously duetted with Meat Loaf on “Paradise by the Dashboard Light.” During the same era he also became a member of Ian Hunter’s band, appearing on multiple releases and joining Hunter on the road. As Hunter’s recording and touring commitments diminished in the early 1980s, Briley stepped forward as a solo artist with the 1981 album Fear of the Unknown.

Wider attention arrived two years later when One Night With a Stranger appeared; its track “The Salt in My Tears” climbed into the lower half of the Billboard Top 40 and performed more strongly on rock radio. Although no comparable single followed, the atmospheric “Put Your Hands on the Screen” still resonated with AOR audiences. The subsequent release, 1985’s Dangerous Moments, attracted scant notice. In the years since, Briley has remained active as a sideman, contributing to projects by Celine Dion and Willie Nile, while his compositions have been interpreted by Jeff Healey, Night Ranger, Kenny Loggins, and *NSYNC.