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 ...
And you can definitely tell that song was influenced by War’s “Slippin’ Into Darkness”.
That's what the Nakamichi tape deck and recorder was for.,
Yes! I saw those at the Rio Theater back in the 50’s. Kids’ Saturday matinee. 2 movies, 2 cartoons, Commando Cody vs The Radar Men of the Moon. All for 25 cents plus 25 cents for popcorn and Red Hots. My mom got rid of us all afternoon for a buck.
Oh, and the vintage Bang & Olufsen turntable.
Yep...I know.
It was an indirect way of mentioning Boz and Miller were bandmates on Miller’s first two albums.
-PJ
The media loved Baby Boomers when we were young and foolish.
They hate us now that we’re old and wise.
... Just had an urge to say that.
Carry on!
They can go on slippin’, slippin’, slippin’ into the future for all I care ...
It was a stolen and mispronounced lyric from the Medallions song “the Letter”, but the original word was “pulpitudes” which also appears to be meaningless. Other lyrics in the Joker “You’re The Cutest Thing I Ever Did See I Really Love Your Peaches, Wanna Shake Your Tree Lovey Dovey, Lovey Dovey All The Time” were lifted from the Clovers “Lovey Dovey”.
Seen them twice in concert 5-7 years ago. Excellent.
We’ve seen him 2-3 times over the years, probably 8-10 years ago last. He still very much had it. I’d probably try to get tix if he were coming here.
I remember being amazed at how many hits he had, how many songs in his set that I knew the song, knew the words.
.
We went to the kickoff concert for Miller with Joe cocker in west palm many years back. Joe rocked like the god he is!
Walked out halfway through Miller because he sucked so bad. People in the bathrooms were saying the same thing. I grew up on his music and always loved it. After that episode, never again.
I saw him countless times... been a good while since I last saw him, (maybe 10 years now) but for many many years I saw him nearly annually.. and his voice was shot even back then... Still a good show, but don’t expect him to sound like the records.. because he doesn’t.
I’ve heard enough of his music on non stop repete on any “classic rock” station.
It’s ok but no more, please.
It seems like all those stations only play about 20 songs. The same 20 songs….
If you or anyone else here can find it, there is a great old 8mm video of Steve Miller at about 5-6 years old kinda singing away, and Les Paul encouraging him. It’s a really sweet, touching video, and of course Les helped train Steve on guitar, and they collaborated some once Steve made it.
Brave New World was a fun album.
Livin’ in the U.S.A.
Steve Miller’s Band was better than before.
We yelled and screamed for more.
Wait, wrong band. And wrong band.
Someone gimme a cheeseburger!
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