[AGL] Buddy Miles

[Gerry]

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/28/arts/music/28cnd-miles.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

I never met him. For awhile I thought he was the very best blues/rock drummer, a very talented man, especially his work with the Electric Flag. But fame and drugs robbed him of his focus and he became a banger with little consideration toward musical expression. I see that he was a resident of Austin these days.

Many years ago a young Chris Layton came into my office at the musician's union and told me that he was going to be Stevie Vaughan's new drummer. He asked me whom he should listen to get the blues drumming style down. I strongly recommended Buddy Miles on the Electric Flag albums. Don't know if Chris followed my advice or not but he became the opposite of the Buddy Miles who played with Hendrix. He became a very solid fundamental drummer who drew little attention to himself, a consummate, faceless sideman. Good for him. Buddy, on the other hand, seemed to get worse in direct proportion to his considerable success, stoned in the worst way. Wonder if the two ever met?

The attraction of Austin to musicians who were famous in the '70's is interesting. Of course none of them lived there while they were famous (Willie excepted). I guess it is a place where the fan base remembers the past. One would conclude that it is a great place for has-beens to congregate. How ironic. The best days for Austin musicians were back before the big halls were torn down, late '70's, early '80's. In those days a band could make some real money on weekends. To my knowledge no such venue exists there today--but the old musicians move there anyway. 

So long, Buddy, enjoyed it.
G
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