Mallaber was the main studio drummer for Eddie Money for most of his earlier recordings and has played on many Bruce Springsteen and Van Morrison solo albums. He was also in the 1974 Brian DePalma film Phantom of the Paradise; in addition to performing on the film's soundtrack he is seen in the film as the drummer for the Juicy Fruits, the Beach Bums, and The Undeads.

 He has played on hit singles by Miller, Morrison, Springsteen, Peter Frampton, Poco, Paul Williams, Jimmy White and Kermit the Frog. Some of the other artists Mallaber has recorded with include Joan Armatrading, The Beach Boys, John Lennon, Poco, Gene Clark, David Cassidy, Bonnie Raitt, Tom Rush, Bob Seger, Joe Brucato, Barbra Streisand, Warren Zevon, Hughes/Thrall and Gerard McMahon.