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It was just this afternoon that I learned, from my dear friend of thirty plus years, Bootsy Collins, of the passing of one of the great rock musicians, Buddy Miles. Buddy Miles died peacefully, family by his side, at his Austin, Texas home last night (Tuesday, February 26, 2008) at 10:09 pm. He was age 60. While most people thought of him and knew him as a drummer, those that knew him best knew he was multitalented and was also a very capable guitarist too. It is, however, extremely difficult to be thought of as a great guitarist when you were most known playing drums in a band with an icon who is considered to be the greatest master of that instrument the rock world has ever known. Upon THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE dissolving, a newer and less ''Psychodelic'' band, with roots deeper into the blues (but with a rock feel) was created and named ''A Band of Gypsys''. It featured Hendrix on guitar/vocals, Buddy Miles on drums/vocals, and bassist Billy Cox. Their song, ''Who Knows'', which was sung as a Hendrix/Miles duet, remains one of my favorites to this very day. I had a rare opportunity, in life, to actually be in the recording studio with another dear friend, the late Roger Troutman of ZAPP, to hear a rendition of that song, in Roger's signature ''talkbox'' style that, most unfortunately, was never released to the public prior to Roger's death in 1999. |
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As a young drummer myself, starting out like all others did years ago, learning the classics like Chuck Berry's ''Johnny B. Goode'' and Wilson Pickett's ''Mustang Sally'', I also had to learn and know a song that was written, recorded, and popularized during the solo recording career of Buddy Miles called ''Them Changes''. All musicians had to know that one. If you did not, you simply were viewed as a musician that let one of the classic songs, in that era of Rock & Roll, pass you by. EVERYBODY knew the song ''Them Changes''. And yes...a classic it was...and yes...a classic it still is. Even if you did not know Buddy, you have benefited from his art. We all have matured in an art form shaped by many of the masters--of which he was one. My personal condolences to his wife and family. If there is indeed, ''A Rock & Roll Heaven'', I'm sure they will find a set of drums there for Buddy--and possibly even a guitar too! ---Rick Flynn 2/27/08 |
Stevie Wonder, Muddy Waters, Michael Bloomfield, Wilson Pickett, Stephen Stills, Neil Young, David Crosby, Jack Bruce, Eric Burden, Billy Gibbons, Prince, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimmy Vaughan, Rick James, Kool and the Gang, Jr. Brown, Ike Turner, Pinetop Perkins, Junior Wells, Koko Taylor, Johnny Taylor, Barry White, Aretha Franklin, George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, Carlos Santana, Robert Lockwood, Jr., David Bowie and so many others. The list is shorter of whom he did not play with than who he did. In lieu of flowers: The family has asked to please make donations to the Jazz Foundation of America, specifically in Buddy Miles' name, to assist with funeral and other expenses at www.jazzfoundation.org. The Jazz Foundation of America, 322 West 48th Street, New York, NY, 10036, Attn.: Amy Cusma |