In the 1960s he performed during "Amateur Hour" at the Apollo Theater, eventually joining the house band, backing Chuck Berry and many leading soul artists.
Around 1968–69 he toured for eight months in James Brown's live band, eventually quitting after being docked wages for missing a musical cue.
In 1969 Alomar formed a group called Listen My Brother with vocalists Luther Vandross, Fonzi Thornton (later to work with Chic and Roxy Music), and Robin Clark.
[3] Alomar subsequently played as a session musician for RCA Recording Studios, and others including Ben E. King ("Supernatural Thing", 1975) and Joe Simon ("Drowning in the Sea of Love").
[5] This began a long period of collaboration in which Alomar led the rhythm section of Alomar/Dennis Davis/George Murray that would underpin Bowie's recordings for the next half-decade, behind a variety of lead guitarists, including Earl Slick, Stacey Heydon, Ricky Gardiner, Robert Fripp, and Adrian Belew.
On this tour, Alomar was again the musical director, swapping his guitar for a baton to conduct the band during the drum-free instrumental pieces from Low and "Heroes".
Scary Monsters (1980) marked the last time Alomar would play alongside George Murray and Dennis Davis on a Bowie album; a planned Scary Monsters tour was aborted and Alomar instead joined Iggy Pop's band for a series of shows in October–December 1981 (the show from San Francisco on 25 November has been released on VHS and DVD).
Alomar has performed with a number of other famous bands and musicians including Duran Duran's Arcadia, Paul McCartney, Simple Minds, Graham Parker, Mick Jagger,[5] Iggy Pop, The Pretenders for their album Get Close in 1986, and Argentine rock band Soda Stereo.
[8] Solo album With ANGIESCREAMS With Arcadia With Kenny Barron With Bee Gees With David Bowie With Casiopea With Brandon Flowers With Julia Fordham With FUN With Debbie Gibson With Mick Jagger With Alicia Keys With Ben E. King With Cyndi Lauper With Paul McCartney With Jimmy Owens With Iggy Pop With Mark Ronson With Jennifer Rush With Carly Simon With Scissor Sisters With Belouis Some With Soda Stereo With Wilkins (singer)