That’s it. I’ve had it. Or in the immortal words of Frank Costanza, I got a lot of problems with you people.
Steve Miller at San Francisco's Fillmore in 2008
For months upon months, I’ve watched as Popdose readers have slammed the guy who got me into pop music as a pre-teen – and has held a special place in my heart ever since.
That guy is none other than Steve Miller.
Laugh if you want to. But your image of Steve Miller is probably only from “The Joker,” “Abracadabra” and (shudder) “Bongo Bongo.”
My perception of him is quite different. Because in my eyes, it’s the pre-fame Steve Miller that’s pretty special.
Did you know that the late Les Paul was his godfather and taught him his first guitar chords? That the great T-Bone Walker introduced him to the blues? That his youthful days in Chicago included jamming with the likes of Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy and Paul Butterfield? That his early band once backed Chuck Berry on a live record? That on his first few albums, his bandmates were longtime friends Boz Scaggs and Ben Sidran? That his third album included a jam with none other than Paul McCartney while he was still a Beatle? That legendary keyboardist Nicky Hopkins played on two albums and co-composed a song with Miller? That among the many fans of this underrated guitarist are master axemen such as Eric Johnson, Robbin Ford, George Thorogood, Jimmie Vaughan and Joe Satriani? (more…)
