George Allen Buddy Miles passed away late last night in Austin, Texas after a long fight with congestive heart disease.
Born in Omaha in 1947, Buddy was a child prodigy, initially playing drums with his father George,Sr.s band The Bebops. His nickname given to him by his aunt - came from his tremendous love for his idol, Buddy Rich (they once played on stage together). He played in a variety of bands as a teenager including the Ink Spots and the Delfonics; at 14 years old, he played with Wilson Pickett. In 1967, together with Mike Bloomfield, he founded the Electric Flag, one of the first, if not the first, mixed race electric blues bands. With Bloomfields searing guitar licks and the high wail of a terrific horn section, the Flag was a raving celebration, especially with Buddys voice ringing oer the top. After only two albums, the group broke up and Buddy formed the infamous Buddy Miles Express. Soon thereafter, Buddy began his legendary collaboration with Jimi Hendrix, participating in the famous Electric Ladyland sessions on Rainy Day, Dream Away and Still Raining, Still Dreaming, and taking his place with Billy Cox in the all-black, short-lived but extremely influential Band of Gypsys. Their classic Live at the Fillmore East recording from New Years Eve 1969/70 in its initial release featured a spot where Hendrix broke a guitar string, and during the 5 or so minutes it took Jimi to replace the string, Buddy carried on singing an improvised solo (replete with mouth-made wah-wah sounds) over the bass and drums until Hendrix slyly slipped back in the mix. The moment bears testimony to Buddys capacity to carry the band himself with an energy which was all his own. This live session also featured an early version of Them Changes, a composition recorded and played by countless artists over time, which has safely entered the pantheon of rock music. Buddy went on famously to work with Carlos Santana, John McLaughlin and many others and he was the voice on the best-selling California Raisins albums (and commercials) including a wondrous version of I Heard it Through the Grapevine.
Damn! Buddy was/is one of my favorite drummers/singers. The guy could really groove.
WE DID MANY SHOWS WITH BUDDY OVER THE YEARS.HE WAS A GREAT TALENT,AND AND GOOD MAN.DIDN'T HE PLAY WITH EVERYBODY ON THE PLANET?? HE REALLY GOT AROUND.
WITH THE FUNKS,WE DID A SHOW IN AUSTIN LAST SUMMER.BUDDY CAME DOWN AND SANG WITH US.HE REALLY GOT THE CROWD GOING.IT WAS GOOD TO SEE HIM,EVEN THOUGH IT WAS SAD TO SEE HIM IN A WHEELCHAIR,AND OBVIOUSLY NOT DOING WELL. IT HAD BEEN MANY YEARS SINCE I HAD SEEN HIM,AND WE TALKED ABOUT "THE GOOD OLD DAYS".WHAT A GOOD SPIRIT! REST IN PEACE BUDDY.
