Posted on 03/17/2022 1:20:24 PM PDT by 1Old Pro
in the '70s, Miller crafted a brand of pure pop that was smart, polished, exciting and irresistible - and that dominated radio in a way that few artists have ever managed. Hit followed hit in what seemed like an endless flow: “The Joker,” "Take the Money and Run," "Rock'n Me," "Fly Like an Eagle," "Jet Airliner," "Jungle Love," “Swingtown” and “Abracadabra,” among them. To this day, those songs are instantly recognizable when they crop up online or on the radio - and impossible not to sing along with. Their hooks are the very definition of indelible.
Running through Miller's distinctive catalog is a combination of virtuosity and song craft.
And that’s no accident. His parents were jazz aficionados - not to mention close friends of Les Paul and Mary Ford - so, as a budding guitarist, Miller absorbed valuable lessons from that musical tradition. When the family moved to Texas, Miller deepened his education in the blues, eventually relocating to Chicago, where he played with Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Buddy Guy and Paul Butterfield. That range of sources informs his music to this day.
(Excerpt) Read more at stevemillerband.com ...
Never saw them.
But want to say “Space Cowboy” is one of their best tunes.
I think I bought an album in the late 70's because the Skidmore gal that I was going to take out on a date said she liked them and I wanted to make sure I had some of their tunes :)
Will he have his early bandmate, Boz Skaggs, in the current lineup?
I’ll tell you how they were. I saw Miller at the Hollywood Palladium in 1972. Commander Cody was on first. After 15 minutes of Miller the audience was yelling to get Commander Cody back. Probably the most boring concert act this side of Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks.
Miller had good studio work but a dull show. Maybe he’s improved with age. I’m not intending to rain on your parade but his show was just plain flat when I saw him. But that was 50 years ago.
No, Boz is touring on his own and writing music in Nashville these days.
I didn’t know this, but he had been playing an alternative version of Fly Like an Eagle for years before the album came out, without the synths, a lot of heavy guitar delay.
This is from 1973
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lx-ZHC4jn4M
My favorite song from him is still “The Joker” but I never did figure out what the “pompatus of love” means.
I attended on back around ‘93. The concert was fantastic. And I wasn’t even a big fan. Had a blast back stage and got to chat with him a bit. Great tour buses....lol...
yea, I think 1972 was early for him. Miller’s Greatest Hits 1974-78 received the RIAA Diamond Award with sales of more than fifteen million copies. It is among the 25 best-selling albums of all time.
Thanks for the heads up...
Going to get tickets for wife & I... York, PA July 30...
Will also get her a chance to visit the new Hollywood Casino in York that a Freeper informed me about the other day...
Still have my “fly like an eagle” album.... and love “wild mountain honey”....
An album?
If it was for a date, I’d think you would have bought an 8-track to play in the car... where y’all would be alone.
Great album. But I find his entire catalog to be hit and miss.
Somebody get me a cheeseburger!
Yep, hope he can still play like that.
Saw them most recently about 3 years ago and they were pretty good. Thankfully they didn’t play Abracadabra. Steve, what the hell were you thinking?!?
That’s funny, he claims to play Southern rock, rock and roll, not a single date in the South.
Well it did get him onto MTV.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.