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With songs such as "Take the Money and Run," "Rockin' Me," “Jet Airliner,” "The Joker," “Fly Like An Eagle,” "Livin' in the USA" and "Abracadabra" to his credit, blues/rock singer-songwriter-guitarist Steve Miller is one of the cornerstones of classic rock. Born on October 5, 1943 in Milwaukee, WI, he grew up in a home frequented by musicians such as Charles Mingus, Les Paul and T-Bone Walker. Miller formed his first band at age 12 with friend Boz Scaggs. After stints in Madison, WI and Chicago, IL blues bands, he moved to San Francisco in 1966.
The Steve Miller Band (known initially as the Steve Miller Blues Band) emerged from San Francisco’s summer of love with a sound that was distinctively different from its peers. Forty years hence, the band has sold a cumulative 25 million records and is still a mainstay of the summer concert season – as fresh and vibrant as ever, melding rock, blues, jazz and pop in its own inimitable, improvisational style and attracting a fervent, multi-generational following.
Capitol Records released their first album, Children of the Future, in 1968. A series of Top 40 albums followed, but a 1972 automobile accident sidelined Miller for nearly a year. He returned with a tighter, more pop-oriented style on The Joker (1973, now certified Platinum), which peaked at 2 while the title cut hit 1.
Fly Like An Eagle followed in 1976. It reached 3 and yielded four Top 40 singles, including the chart-topping "Rockin' Me." The album became the band’s biggest-selling studio album, spent nearly two years on the Billboard 200 and is currently quadruple Platinum. 1977’s Book of Dreams hit 2 and is now triple Platinum. Tracks from the two albums were collected on a single disc in 1978 for Greatest Hits: 1974-78, which is currently certified 13x Platinum.
Abracadabra (1983, Platinum) reached 2 and its title cut was the 1 selling single worldwide that year while the 1987 single "I Want to Make the World Turn Around," from Living in the 20th Century, topped the AC singles chart for five weeks. Young Hearts – Complete Greatest Hits was released in 2003, tracing the Steve Miller Band’s 35-year affiliation with Capitol Records, and the label released a special 30th anniversary edition of Fly Like An Eagle in 2006. Upon its release, the San Francisco Chronicle observed: “This rerelease…shows how vital a performer Miller remains and how he presaged a generation of heartland rockers, from John Mellencamp to Tom Petty to Widespread Panic.” The Steve Miller Band’s songs have been covered by a diverse group of artists, including Smashing Pumpkins, deftones, Seal, Run-D.M.C. and k.d. lang.
Miller received the prestigious ASCAP Golden Note Award in April of 2008. In May 2008, Coming Home Media released Live From Chicago, the Steve Miller Band’s first-ever DVD release, which captures the band’s incredible 2007 two-night stand at Chicago’s Ravinia Festival in 5.1 Surround Sound and state-of-the-art high definition.
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Photos of The Fillmore Shows In March Of 2008 Photos By Tim Brown ~~~~~~~
The turkey shot out of the oven and rocketed into the air, it knocked every plate off the table and partly demolished a chair.
It ricocheted into a corner and burst with a deafening boom, then splattered all over the kitchen, completely obscuring the room.
It stuck to the walls and the windows, it totally coated the floor, there was turkey attached to the ceiling, where there'd never been turkey before.
It blanketed every appliance, it smeared every saucer and bowl, there wasn't a way I could stop it, that turkey was out of control.
I scraped and I scrubbed with displeasure, and thought with chagrin as I mopped, that I'd never again stuff a turkey with popcorn that hadn't been popped.
Thank you for the honor of hearing from you and the band. I knew him when we were just young cwazy kids. As we grew more and sought wisdom, I learned much from him and saw you and Norton on the road a number of times. Which wasn't always easy for me as I have a hard time with BIG venues anymore. Indeed, a special blessed man. Always will be and home in his other Paradise now. I hope to see and hear you soon. I heard you might also be having a benefit. I am going to the one on November 22nd. My love to you Steve and band tho do beg to differ that you ever took him for "granted". He always shared his love and respect for and of you~
Thanks for dropping by. Appreciated Steve & The Band.
I especially admire the way you honored the incredibly talent Norton Buffalo. Yes he was a special person and you can actually tell when watching a video or hearing Norton on record, radio, live or where ever we heard him. It's sad to read about the suffering from this terrible decease. Must be hard on the band that loved him, family and his friends & fans. Fifty Eight is young and words can't really heal the wounds too much. Best comfort probably to take it that he full filled a musical journey in a very special way. When I listen to the songs I will think about him.
Norton May grace and peace be your in full measure through knowledge of our Lord love. This word is the Good News that was proclaimed to you. May Peace and blessing be with the familys.
We're all so sorry to say goodbye to Norton. He was an amazing musician and a lovely man. I'm sad for you Steve and all of your guys who have to say goodbye too. I know you'll miss him more than words can say.
I am saddened to hear that that Norton has passed on, and my condolences go out to Norton's family, friends, and all that knew, appreciated and loved his music. when artists leave us, they leave us a gift of thier talent. thank you for the gift Norton, your memory lives on each time we listen to you.
An incredible honor Steve. Last time I spoke with NB he be plannin' on seein' ya' in Heaven and not HELL. With some other pals of ours. Bless you, be well and will see you soon~
We are all saddened by the news of Norton's passing. We lost a lot of greats this year, but none more sad than Les and Norton. We all share your loss Steve, but always remember the joy and inspiration you have brought to so many generations of blues fans and just Keep on Rockin' Us. Thanks for being a true legend, you've been the sound track of our lives and we love you.
I send my condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Norton Buffalo, Harmonica player "extraordinaire" with the Steve Miller Band, Another great musician, Another Great loss, much too young. Thanks for some "unforgettable" musical moments. See ya there, at that great concert one day. brian
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