I saw him a week ago in New York City. He's now 79 years old and he played for FOUR hours! He still sings and plays like a 30 year old! An incredible concert by a legendary musician.
Deep Fake is going to hit audio / music and TH-cam, I'm sure. At that point, we will no longer be able to tell fact from fiction, at least from public media / content providers.
@@Trev0r98 A friend's wife dragged him to see Rihanna. He went kicking and screaming. But once there he was pleasantly surprised that her guitar player was Nuno Bettencourt (Extreme). He did find it disturbing that Nuno's were the only vocals that were not prerecorded. Rihanna, the backup singers, everyone but Nuno had canned vocals. And it seemed that though the band's playing was real they were playing along with a backing track. And the prerecorded music was much louder in the mix. That is for everyone except Nuno of course. So of the dozen or so people on stage only one was a real musician. In a few more years there will be none.
My grandfather played drums for Steve’s godfather, Mr. Les Paul, back in my hometown of Waukesha, Wisconsin in the early years. Les would visit my grandpa whenever he was back in town. Sometimes they would jam together. I regret not meeting Les when he was visiting. I was just a young kid at the time and didn’t realize how important Les was to music. Great video, man! I love your videos. 🤘
Loved Midnight Special and I probably saw this one when it originally aired. Not sure how the audience sat still, but maybe they were told to. Anyway, also love Steve Miller and still listen to him. This version is really different from what finally made it to vinyl. Actually, I really like this instrumental! Props to the left-handed bass player! You should cover Boz some time. As always, thanks for this one!
Audiences sat still watching and listening then because the event was about listening to the music and the event was about experiencing the band not shouting and yahooing (esp in smaller venues). You only need to watch the Woodstock movie or the Montery pop movie (they had seats for that one), mostly the crowd were sitting and listening and enjoying the music. yes some people were up and dancing but mostly you went to a gig to listen.
I remember watching The Midnight Special and in 1974 I was a new Mom just having my first child. I bought all The Steve Miller Band's albums. One of my favorite lyrics are from Steve " Really love your peaches want shake your tree..." Lol.
I have loved Steve Miller most of my life. I was fortunate enough to finally see him live just this past year with my son. He was awesome of course played all my favorites. I have never been to a concert when literally thousands of people were singing together. Needless to say a very special event for me. Steve was great he talked a lot, you almost felt like an old friend by the end of the show. He shared the stage with lifelong friend Peter Frampton. Wow, do you feel like I do? Haha great experience.
Within 3 years of this, Steve was selling out STADIUMS of 80,000+!! Have seen him over a dozen times, so versatile, covered psychedelic, progressive, pop, and classic rock, with blues mixed in the whole time. Even though he FINALLY made the RRHOF (20 years late), I STILL think he's somewhat underrated. Still going strong and touring, a living legend. Thanks, Fil, you summed up his career and talents quite well. You know great music and critique as well as anyone on TH-cam. Thank you!
I agree that Steve Miller is still somewhat underrated . I have always had a high regard for him and his talents. I have only seen him in concert once, at the Knebworth Pop Festival back in the 70's , and he didn't disapppint. He and his band were great and got a thoroughly deserved standing ovation at the end of their set .
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is not what most people think it is. A few people control the induction process. It is very political. That is why a number of top musicians denounce it.
Most of these things are - the Academy Awards as well. That's why years ago when Sally Field won her Oscar, she made the infamously embarrassing but true acceptance speech where, she said, "You like me, you like me...." You can be as talented as all get out, but if they don't like you or they don't like your politics, you're won't win.
Tidings of comfort and joy, indeed. Love Midnight Special (never any lip syncing), love Steve Miller, love this trippy song! And, of course, loved the detailed history and musical analysis....very well done! Thank you one more time!
I am writing this as I am listening. Back in the seventies, I got a really bad tooth ache and My mom had a friend who was a dentist who had a home practice the next street over. Turned out it was a really bad cavity and I did not need the tooth pulled. Now My regular dentist was terrible and we still talk about how bad he was but this guy shot my gum up with Novocain then gave me laughing gas and THEN put some headphones on me to listen to music and then he left the room and let me sit there listening to Fly like an Eagle extended version before he came back and drilled and filled the tooth. Best experience I have ever had with a dentist and yes I was tripping my ass off.
Dude! Must have seen Steve a half dozen times in the late 70's early eighties (including the tour for Abracadabra) and he never played the same song the same way twice. It almost seems like I saw him outdoors every time and they were all mind blowing performances. ....and yet I still did not know half of this stuff. Awesome research as usual man! Rock!
Quite a story on that beautiful guitar: “Steve Miller received this guitar from Leslie West of the Vagrants and Mountain in 1967 or 1968. It was originally painted a pale yellow that Gibson developed to appear white on black-and-white television. Miller had the guitar repainted with intricate psychedelic designs by surfboard artist Bob Cantrell and changed the pickup covers, tuners, and controls to match the new color scheme. He used it extensively in recordings and live performances through the 1970s, including on Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert in 1973 and The Midnight Special in 1974.” www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/788966 (It’s currently on exhibit at The Met.)
I LOVE this live version!!! How thrilling it would have been to be in the audience! Fil, you put so much effort into the background of the artists...brilliant job!! Steve Miller has always been one of my favorites...brings back memories😊
Thanks for this Fil! It is really fun to come here and SEE the musicians who I listened to as a kid, through my older siblings, and loved. Also so fun to see your enjoyment and reactions of these classic cuts!
Fil, thanks a million for this long time favorite!! "It is never too late to be who you might have been. It is always possible" ~ Steve Miller Peace & Love to you Steve!!! ☮🎼❤
Just watched an interview if Steve Miller...a much older Steve Miller, on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon whet he talked about his beginnings and how he started a band st age 12. Great interview. Punished here on TH-cam on October 10, 2019. This version of fly like an eagle has so many great effects...you do get the impression of flying like an eagle. Genius. And the midnight special was a fantastic show. Loved it when I was a kid. Still do. Great analysis as always. Thank you!
I love your analysis here Fil, Fly Like an Eagle was tremendously influencial to me back in the day; I played that album side to side.... I lived to see Midnight Special because in those days it was the only way to see the artists that anyone wanted to see👍🤘♥️
HI FIL THAT IS SO COOL HOW WE LEARN SO MUCH ABOUT OUR OWN MUSIC FROM BACK THEN FROM YOU. IT IS LIKE YOU ARE WITH US BACK THEN.THAT IS HOW GOOD YOU ARE. STEVE MILLER IS A GOOD BAND. WE LEARN ALOT FROM YOU. KEEP UP YOUR GOOD WORK. NOBODY LIKE YOU OUT THERE. SO PROUD OF YOU. LOVE IT. THANKS. YOU ARE SO LOVED. STAY SAFE OUT THERE.PEACE AND LOVE.
I like your point about being asked to teach, this pops open a door some are able to enter. I play well (imo), but have found that I can't really teach, I don't have the patience. I wish I did, but that's the way it is. Thanks for featuring this. I would like to point out that your use of history and the info regarding the vids you show is quite appreciated. Context as well as the understanding of technique is quite a good way of informing folks, Thanks Fil.
Wow, I took acid when I graduated from High School in 1974 and watched Midnight Special and saw this performance. And this let to a flashback experience, just to see that guitar. LOL. I knew that Steve had some pedigree but forgot the details, and of course you filled in all the details. Great analysis as usual. You analyze so many songs that had an effect on people of those times, you have a wonderful gift with these videos and thank you for sharing your passion.
Fil, this is fascinating. I was a Steve Miller fan back in the day - he even came to my house in Canada once - but I never knew all this about him. Thank you, Fil. You're the best.
I love your analysis of the artists and I especially love the stories you tell us! Love Steve Miller, I've been lucky enough to have seen him several times!!
Fil, thank you for mentioning Gerald and John on bass and drums, they laid down such and incredible beat and drive for Steve's songs. There was a reason he kept them around for so long.
Steve Miller did a lot of great music pre-"Joker", in particular for me the "Brave New World" LP. You can also get the prime music of that period on "Anthology" ("Space Cowboy", "Living in the USA", "Going to Mexico" and so forth). Anyway, always dig the thoughtful, in depth insights of these analyses!
Great analysis of the performances, Fil! I saw the Steve Miller Band in 1990 at a Miller Light Beer Music Festival in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, TX and they were right on. The dvd of Live in Chicago from a few years back is great, too. A class act Mr Steve Miller.
great analysis of the "teach" vs "do" thing. the classical and jazz worlds get this right. so-and-so taught by so-and-so. it's like a pedigree. terrific job Fil. these videos will long outlive you. pretty cool.
Notes that reverberate out into infinity like that were very much a trademark of the 1970's rock sound. It lends a certain amount of profoundness to the songs feel. The 1970's was the decade of the Guru topic songs, where the top musicians were rated on the deepness of their lyrics as well as the music itself. The more it spoke to your soul, the better the song.
The first time I saw Steve Miller and his band was in a parking lot outside a department store on the back of a flatbed trailer. I became an instant fan. I’ve always found his lyrics, melodies, and guitar work a bit outside the box. Great video, as usual, Fil. How about an analysis of the Dave Matthews Band performing “jimi Thing” from the Central Park concert?
Fill...Great research !...I love the way you do justice to the people you analyze, in terms of preparation...keep up the good work. You, my friend, are getting a great education in music history ! I will soon be 73 years of age and played Coronet, Trumpet and Baritone from age 8, first learning in school and then private lessons. When I was 12 years old, my parents and I attended a concert in the park. in a very small outdoor pavilion in Central Illinois about 140 miles south of Chicago. There were only 12-15 people in attendance. Les Paul and Mary Ford gave a great hour plus long concert and they were so affable and friendly to all of us who in attendance. We sat around and talked to them for about an hour after the concert.We talked to les about the development of his signature guitars. Little did we know then the Great influence he would have in the development of various music genres as time went forward.So many artists in the US and UK have sited him [ Les Paul ] as being inspirational in their individual quests to be successful musicians and performers.A time I will always cherish and remember. Dana
Thanx you Fil for my request 😆 I thought this was a very unique version of the song & knew you would like it ✌😎 Thank you again Mate.... I think this is #3 for me 😉 You have a viewer for life my friend... I enjoy this channel every night , your analysis and all the great back stories and info. Love all the extra info you dug up about the start of this song and Steve's history 😎🎸
What an odd thing to say about teachers. Where would all the greats be without having someone to teach and mentor. Steve Miller was blessed to have come from a musically inclined family. I really liked the esoteric/psychedelic leanings of his guitar.
I saw Steve Miller in 72 or 73 at Santa Monica Civic and enjoyed that concert more than almost any performance. He played a set of old albums, a set of solo acoustic and then his new release again with the band. Almost 3 hours of non-stop music. He deserved hall of fame in the first decade of recording.
Another great post, Fil. I’m impressed with your knowledge. Steve Miller was my go-to guy when I was in High School in the early 70’s - before he became really well known. He played regularly in the San Francisco Bay Area and I saw him there in various venues, probably 12-15 times. “Fly Like an Eagle” evolved from a jam of his song “My Dark Hour” (on which Paul McCartney played uncredited bass). The sound he’s getting is from an effects pedal called an Echoplex. I have never heard another guitarist get that incredible sound. There’s a good example of his use of Echoplex on TH-cam on Jackson-Kent Blues (studio version) and a very nice live show of Steve at Winterland, S.F., 1974. I was there. Btw, Gerald Johnson is an amazing bassist. In addition to time with Steve, Gerald spent some time in Dave Mason’s band. Gerald was once a member of The Sweet Inspirations, who were Elvis’ backup singers and band from 69-77.
Oh, Mr. Fil !!!!! Thank you so, so, so much for reviewing one of my favorite, trippy-groove songs !!!!!!! This tune was so engaging in so many ways.....visually, musically, and vocally!!!!!! Again, thank you, sir Fil !!!!!! :-D
This was my favorite lineup of The Steve Miller Band. Steve on guitar, John King on drums, Gerald Johnson on bass, and Dickie Thompson on organ. They only lasted for a year or two then burnt out from touring.
Aw! Thanks for featuring Steve Miller! This is a funky, funky clip! And he is still a fantastic performer. He sounds just like his records, so soulful.
Wow, so great to see this clip of Steve Miller! In 1974 I was a Sr in Highschool! We listened to him and danced to his music while in college. 💜 Freaky to think he is 79! What an incredible musician! 😊
Wow! All of that trivia you shared is so interesting! Thank you for sharing! I especially appreciated the part about The Children of the Future being released in 1968. That's my birth year and it sort of gives me a new sense of self I've been searching for. He's always been one of my favorite artists; one whose music resonates with me on very deep levels. Also thanks for sharing this more funky version. I had never heard it before
Born 2B Blue. It was great; one of the first CDs I ever purchased. When I was stationed in Okinawa, I would sit on my balcony and listen to it enlessly
Thanks for the insight into the back ground of the who, what, where and why's of how these people got their careers started. Great stuff, and as always, spot on analysis.
"The Joke" topped the US Billboard Hot 100 in early 1974. More than 16 years later, in September 1990, it reached number one in the UK Singles Chart for two weeks after being used in "Great Deal", a Hugh Johnson-directed television advertisement for Levi's, thus holding the record for the longest gap between transatlantic chart-toppers!
Great analysis again, Fil! Thank you! I remember The Steve Miller Band from the '60s and 70s in particular and with his music, particularly this song, I always felt that I was being transported to another astral plane. (No cannabis involved, either.) He was a musical prodigy to be sure and he was referred to as "Stevie Gui- tar Miller". Everything you say, Fil, is an education. Thank you, again!
Steve Miller used to live on a ranch in Oregon back in the 70's and he was friends with James Cotton and used to show up at James Cotton gigs in Eugene Oregon. He loved the blues!
Love Steve Miller! Wore out the Joker album. Also, I used to watch The Midnight Special back in the day. I think I saw this performance way back when. Another great guitarist.
I've never heard the very beginning of that song so I didn't recognize it at first until quite a ways into the intro... Thanks Fil!...I love the Steve Miller Band !!...always have!!!... Yes, I too have never understood their method of induction... ✌❤🤘
I have good memories around this song. I used to go to an old East End boozer years ago and they had a juke box that played it over and over and I never got tired of hearing it. The lads from the Repton Boys boxing club used to pop in with their dads after training and they were such well-mannered boys. They used to have good live music too. Shame, near all these venues have gone.
His original keyboard player, Jim Peterman, lives less than a mile from me. Before COVID he had a jam session at his house most Tuesday nights. I was invited to play starting in April of 2013. Jim played at Monterey with Steve in 1967. The B3 he used is now at Red Door Recording Studio in Columbus NC. Jim and Steve stay in contact.
I saw him a week ago in New York City. He's now 79 years old and he played for FOUR hours! He still sings and plays like a 30 year old! An incredible concert by a legendary musician.
I can’t believe he is 79 years old now. Wow!
It's always refreshing to remember how good music sounded like before autotune and digital trickery.
Chris stapleton's putting it out there
AMEN!
@@jamesgordonakacrazylegs8222 Chris Stapleton played with Steve Miller?
Deep Fake is going to hit audio / music and TH-cam, I'm sure. At that point, we will no longer be able to tell fact from fiction, at least from public media / content providers.
@@Trev0r98 A friend's wife dragged him to see Rihanna. He went kicking and screaming. But once there he was pleasantly surprised that her guitar player was Nuno Bettencourt (Extreme). He did find it disturbing that Nuno's were the only vocals that were not prerecorded. Rihanna, the backup singers, everyone but Nuno had canned vocals. And it seemed that though the band's playing was real they were playing along with a backing track. And the prerecorded music was much louder in the mix. That is for everyone except Nuno of course. So of the dozen or so people on stage only one was a real musician. In a few more years there will be none.
My grandfather played drums for Steve’s godfather, Mr. Les Paul, back in my hometown of Waukesha, Wisconsin in the early years. Les would visit my grandpa whenever he was back in town. Sometimes they would jam together. I regret not meeting Les when he was visiting. I was just a young kid at the time and didn’t realize how important Les was to music. Great video, man! I love your videos. 🤘
😲!!!
Was lucky enough to see Les Paul play in a very small venue in NYC at the end of his career. Very cool experience.
Loved Midnight Special and I probably saw this one when it originally aired. Not sure how the audience sat still, but maybe they were told to. Anyway, also love Steve Miller and still listen to him. This version is really different from what finally made it to vinyl. Actually, I really like this instrumental! Props to the left-handed bass player! You should cover Boz some time. As always, thanks for this one!
Peter Frampton on midnight special was excellent also! Susan
Audiences sat still watching and listening then because the event was about listening to the music and the event was about experiencing the band not shouting and yahooing (esp in smaller venues). You only need to watch the Woodstock movie or the Montery pop movie (they had seats for that one), mostly the crowd were sitting and listening and enjoying the music. yes some people were up and dancing but mostly you went to a gig to listen.
Ditto!!
Bass player is the incredible Gerald Johnson.
Psychedelic version of the song. Blues plus psychedelic rock....Yes
Thanks Fil! Once again you’ve made my day. Wonderful to see Steve shine again!
I haven't watched a second of this yet, but I know it will be killer. Fil, you're the bomb in musical choices!
Thanks!
@@wingsofpegasus Good taste is often in short supply, but you've got it, Fil.
Some people call me Maurice.
I remember watching The Midnight Special and in 1974 I was a new Mom just having my first child. I bought all The Steve Miller Band's albums. One of my favorite lyrics are from Steve
" Really love your peaches want shake your tree..." Lol.
In 1974 it was still pure, genuine, heartfelt music. Thank you for sharing this video with us Fil. 👍
I have loved Steve Miller most of my life. I was fortunate enough to finally see him live just this past year with my son. He was awesome of course played all my favorites. I have never been to a concert when literally thousands of people were singing together. Needless to say a very special event for me. Steve was great he talked a lot, you almost felt like an old friend by the end of the show. He shared the stage with lifelong friend Peter Frampton. Wow, do you feel like I do? Haha great experience.
👍
Within 3 years of this, Steve was selling out STADIUMS of 80,000+!! Have seen him over a dozen times, so versatile, covered psychedelic, progressive, pop, and classic rock, with blues mixed in the whole time. Even though he FINALLY made the RRHOF (20 years late), I STILL think he's somewhat underrated. Still going strong and touring, a living legend. Thanks, Fil, you summed up his career and talents quite well. You know great music and critique as well as anyone on TH-cam. Thank you!
I agree that Steve Miller is still somewhat underrated . I have always had a high regard for him and his talents. I have only seen him in concert once, at the Knebworth Pop Festival back in the 70's , and he didn't disapppint. He and his band were great and got a thoroughly deserved standing ovation at the end of their set .
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is not what most people think it is. A few people control the induction process. It is very political. That is why a number of top musicians denounce it.
R&RHoF sucks!
I’ve heard the same. Very clubby and homogenous.
Most of these things are - the Academy Awards as well. That's why years ago when Sally Field won her Oscar, she made the infamously embarrassing but true acceptance speech where, she said, "You like me, you like me...." You can be as talented as all get out, but if they don't like you or they don't like your politics, you're won't win.
I agree
Yes , the exclusion of Grand Funk tells you all you need to know
One of the best guitar players I've ever seen in concert! He blew me away!
I saw them in the late 80's. There were way more musicians on stage then.
Waaaaaaaaay more. :-)
Ya know it's not hard to believe since his guitar teacher was Les Paul , his real life godfather.
Just saw SMB with Marty Stuart and the Superlatives, a couple weeks ago. Steve still sounds great. 75yrs old, and can still rock
M. Stuart and the Superlatives is an incredible band as well! Hellu-va concert you caught!
Tidings of comfort and joy, indeed. Love Midnight Special (never any lip syncing), love Steve Miller, love this trippy song! And, of course, loved the detailed history and musical analysis....very well done! Thank you one more time!
Do you mind if I copy this and put my name on it, I'll buy you a Coke
@@jamesgordonakacrazylegs8222 Thanks, I'm just glad we agree!
I am writing this as I am listening. Back in the seventies, I got a really bad tooth ache and My mom had a friend who was a dentist who had a home practice the next street over. Turned out it was a really bad cavity and I did not need the tooth pulled. Now My regular dentist was terrible and we still talk about how bad he was but this guy shot my gum up with Novocain then gave me laughing gas and THEN put some headphones on me to listen to music and then he left the room and let me sit there listening to Fly like an Eagle extended version before he came back and drilled and filled the tooth. Best experience I have ever had with a dentist and yes I was tripping my ass off.
🤣👍
D Greene I'm with you...🤣
😂
Can I get the name of that dentist..
😂🤣
Midnight Special was such an awesome show. No Millie Vanillies - all live. Those P90's kickin' bootee!
Dude!
Must have seen Steve a half dozen times in the late 70's early eighties (including the tour for Abracadabra) and he never played the same song the same way twice.
It almost seems like I saw him outdoors every time and they were all mind blowing performances.
....and yet I still did not know half of this stuff.
Awesome research as usual man!
Rock!
Cool!
An overlooked guitar player, but really sharp when it came to a hot lick and riff. And a terrific songwriter and performer!
Quite a story on that beautiful guitar:
“Steve Miller received this guitar from Leslie West of the Vagrants and Mountain in 1967 or 1968. It was originally painted a pale yellow that Gibson developed to appear white on black-and-white television. Miller had the guitar repainted with intricate psychedelic designs by surfboard artist Bob Cantrell and changed the pickup covers, tuners, and controls to match the new color scheme. He used it extensively in recordings and live performances through the 1970s, including on Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert in 1973 and The Midnight Special in 1974.”
www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/788966 (It’s currently on exhibit at The Met.)
Jenny & Craig Adventures Thanks for this post..☺️
Jenny & Craig Adventures, a real beauty...I ought to go see it. 💛
JohnnyArt Pavlou That whole exhibit looks worth visiting, but we live too far away to visit before it’s over.
Gibson should have used a different paint that would make it appear yellow on black & white TVs.
A 1960 Gibson Les Paul Junior Special. The TV model was named for the yellow finish.
I love this version thanks for sharing and thanks for all that interesting detail about him.
I LOVE this live version!!! How thrilling it would have been to be in the audience! Fil, you put so much effort into the background of the artists...brilliant job!! Steve Miller has always been one of my favorites...brings back memories😊
Thanks for this Fil! It is really fun to come here and SEE the musicians who I listened to as a kid, through my older siblings, and loved. Also so fun to see your enjoyment and reactions of these classic cuts!
Fil, thanks a million for this long time favorite!! "It is never too late to be who you might have been. It is always possible" ~ Steve Miller
Peace & Love to you Steve!!! ☮🎼❤
Just watched an interview if Steve Miller...a much older Steve Miller, on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon whet he talked about his beginnings and how he started a band st age 12. Great interview. Punished here on TH-cam on October 10, 2019.
This version of fly like an eagle has so many great effects...you do get the impression of flying like an eagle. Genius. And the midnight special was a fantastic show. Loved it when I was a kid. Still do. Great analysis as always. Thank you!
My mom, brother and I wore out an 8-track and then vinyl versions of SMB's greatest hits. This is the first time I've seen this version. Outstanding!
I love your analysis here Fil, Fly Like an Eagle was tremendously influencial to me back in the day; I played that album side to side.... I lived to see Midnight Special because in those days it was the only way to see the artists that anyone wanted to see👍🤘♥️
Another amazing video Fil. Thank you very much.
Great analysis, Fil. This music was a huge part of my high school years. Great times and some really amazing artists/songs.
HI FIL THAT IS SO COOL HOW WE LEARN SO MUCH ABOUT OUR OWN MUSIC FROM BACK THEN FROM YOU. IT IS LIKE YOU ARE WITH US BACK THEN.THAT IS HOW GOOD YOU ARE. STEVE MILLER IS A GOOD BAND. WE LEARN ALOT FROM YOU. KEEP UP YOUR GOOD WORK. NOBODY LIKE YOU OUT THERE. SO PROUD OF YOU. LOVE IT. THANKS. YOU ARE SO LOVED. STAY SAFE OUT THERE.PEACE AND LOVE.
I like your point about being asked to teach, this pops open a door some are able to enter. I play well (imo), but have found that I can't really teach, I don't have the patience. I wish I did, but that's the way it is. Thanks for featuring this. I would like to point out that your use of history and the info regarding the vids you show is quite appreciated. Context as well as the understanding of technique is quite a good way of informing folks, Thanks Fil.
I've heard this song so many times, countless. But I have never heard this version! Thanks Fil!
HI FIL YOU DO A VERY GOOD JOB. LOVE YOUR VIDEOS. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. THANKS FOR ALL YOU DO. LOVE YOU GUYS. PEACE AND LOVE
I've been a fan of Steve miller all my life & had no idea of his fascinating life story. ThanQ you for enlightening us
Wow, I took acid when I graduated from High School in 1974 and watched Midnight Special and saw this performance. And this let to a flashback experience, just to see that guitar.
LOL.
I knew that Steve had some pedigree but forgot the details, and of course you filled in all the details. Great analysis as usual. You analyze so many songs that had an effect on people of those times, you have a wonderful gift with these videos and thank you for sharing your passion.
I was fading back earlier this morning thinking about Steve Miller's Rockin'me, Jet Airliner, this one, The joker and his other tunes. Thanks Fil. 👍✌️
Fil, this is fascinating. I was a Steve Miller fan back in the day - he even came to my house in Canada once - but I never knew all this about him. Thank you, Fil. You're the best.
Fil as usual, your wise beyond your years. And a genuine treat to learn these musical facts from. Thanks!
💕 so many memories, thank you FIL 💕
I love your analysis of the artists and I especially love the stories you tell us! Love Steve Miller, I've been lucky enough to have seen him several times!!
Tidings of comfort and joy...indeed. You're the best man. Your content is prolific & thoughtful. Rare commodities nowadays.
Fascinating review. Best one I have seen so far. SM legend!
Hey Fil, you just keep the classic bands coming and alive. Great band so many great classic songs. ROCK!
Thank you ,listened to this guy my whole life and love his music ,NOW I understand and appreciate it more !
I saw them in concert that very same year! I feel like I've been teleported back into GOOD times! THANKS Fil! ☮️
Such a great band. This performance has a very trippy psychedelic feel to it for sure. Different from the recording! 🤯
This is an impressive amount of research you've done on Steve Miller and the Steve Miller Band, and the early days.
Excellent commentry there, Fil. Very well put across. Crisp, clear and informative. Rock!
Fil, thank you for mentioning Gerald and John on bass and drums, they laid down such and incredible beat and drive for Steve's songs. There was a reason he kept them around for so long.
Steve Miller did a lot of great music pre-"Joker", in particular for me the "Brave New World" LP. You can also get the prime music of that period on "Anthology" ("Space Cowboy", "Living in the USA", "Going to Mexico" and so forth). Anyway, always dig the thoughtful, in depth insights of these analyses!
Great analysis of the performances, Fil! I saw the Steve Miller Band in 1990 at a Miller Light Beer Music Festival in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, TX and they were right on. The dvd of Live in Chicago from a few years back is great, too. A class act Mr Steve Miller.
great analysis of the "teach" vs "do" thing. the classical and jazz worlds get this right. so-and-so taught by so-and-so. it's like a pedigree.
terrific job Fil. these videos will long outlive you. pretty cool.
I never missed that show one during the 70s.i remember this listening watching while my husband played cards all night.
Once again you have broadened my knowledge about an artist I really like, and the midnight special was a favorite of mine, thanks!
Thanks Phil one of my very favorites growing up. I listened to the cassette Fly Like an Eagle a lot. Thanks
I remember his first 'hit'..."Living in the USA" in '68. Excellent song😃
Notes that reverberate out into infinity like that were very much a trademark of the 1970's rock sound. It lends a certain amount of profoundness to the songs feel. The 1970's was the decade of the Guru topic songs, where the top musicians were rated on the deepness of their lyrics as well as the music itself. The more it spoke to your soul, the better the song.
The first time I saw Steve Miller and his band was in a parking lot outside a department store on the back of a flatbed trailer. I became an instant fan. I’ve always found his lyrics, melodies, and guitar work a bit outside the box. Great video, as usual, Fil. How about an analysis of the Dave Matthews Band performing “jimi Thing” from the Central Park concert?
Fill...Great research !...I love the way you do justice to the people you analyze, in terms of preparation...keep up the good work. You, my friend, are getting a great education in music history ! I will soon be 73 years of age and played Coronet, Trumpet and Baritone from age 8, first learning in school and then private lessons. When I was 12 years old, my parents and I attended a concert in the park. in a very small outdoor pavilion in Central Illinois about 140 miles south of Chicago. There were only 12-15 people in attendance. Les Paul and Mary Ford gave a great hour plus long concert and they were so affable and friendly to all of us who in attendance. We sat around and talked to them for about an hour after the concert.We talked to les about the development of his signature guitars. Little did we know then the Great influence he would have in the development of various music genres as time went forward.So many artists in the US and UK have sited him [ Les Paul ] as being inspirational in their individual quests to be successful musicians and performers.A time I will always cherish and remember. Dana
I was actually at this concert! Saw Miller several times over the years, great musician and singer and writer and ...Nice job WoP!
Thanx you Fil for my request 😆 I thought this was a very unique version of the song & knew you would like it ✌😎 Thank you again Mate.... I think this is #3 for me 😉 You have a viewer for life my friend... I enjoy this channel every night , your analysis and all the great back stories and info. Love all the extra info you dug up about the start of this song and Steve's history 😎🎸
How cool... my Steve Miller " Fly Like An Eagle " Request came up after The Band 😎 ( #'s 3 & 4 requests that Fil played 😎🤘 )
Ah, Fil! You bring back some sweet childhood memories for me. Thank you so! 🤘🤘🤘
Thanks for this! They are definitely one of my favorites
I can hear many influences in his music.
One of my favorite from that era.Thanks for the video and superb (as usual) analysis.
Fantastic video, Fil! I'm so behind on your vids (bad signal at current place) but so glad to finally catch one again, made my day! 👍
What an odd thing to say about teachers. Where would all the greats be without having someone to teach and mentor. Steve Miller was blessed to have come from a musically inclined family. I really liked the esoteric/psychedelic leanings of his guitar.
Nicely done Fil. Another of the great American bands covered.
I saw Steve Miller in 72 or 73 at Santa Monica Civic and enjoyed that concert more than almost any performance. He played a set of old albums, a set of solo acoustic and then his new release again with the band. Almost 3 hours of non-stop music. He deserved hall of fame in the first decade of recording.
STEVE MILLER 💖 DREAMY SOUND, NEVER HEARD ANYTHING LIKE THAT BEFORE
Another great post, Fil. I’m impressed with your knowledge. Steve Miller was my go-to guy when I was in High School in the early 70’s - before he became really well known. He played regularly in the San Francisco Bay Area and I saw him there in various venues, probably 12-15 times. “Fly Like an Eagle” evolved from a jam of his song “My Dark Hour” (on which Paul McCartney played uncredited bass). The sound he’s getting is from an effects pedal called an Echoplex. I have never heard another guitarist get that incredible sound. There’s a good example of his use of Echoplex on TH-cam on Jackson-Kent Blues (studio version) and a very nice live show of Steve at Winterland, S.F., 1974. I was there. Btw, Gerald Johnson is an amazing bassist. In addition to time with Steve, Gerald spent some time in Dave Mason’s band. Gerald was once a member of The Sweet Inspirations, who were Elvis’ backup singers and band from 69-77.
Oh, Mr. Fil !!!!! Thank you so, so, so much for reviewing one of my favorite, trippy-groove songs !!!!!!! This tune was so engaging in so many ways.....visually, musically, and vocally!!!!!! Again, thank you, sir Fil !!!!!! :-D
This was my favorite lineup of The Steve Miller Band. Steve on guitar, John King on drums, Gerald Johnson on bass, and Dickie Thompson on organ. They only lasted for a year or two then burnt out from touring.
My brother and I watched The Midnight Special every chance we could. It was a great show for those of us that grew up in the 60's-70's. Good job Fil.
Yeah, Midnight Special was one of those things we had to put up with :) I was 24 in 1974. So much music
Ty Fil! I did not know about the background of Steve Miller. Great analysis! I loved his music back then especially The Joker. ❤
Aw! Thanks for featuring Steve Miller! This is a funky, funky clip! And he is still a fantastic performer. He sounds just like his records, so soulful.
Wow, so great to see this clip of Steve Miller! In 1974 I was a Sr in Highschool! We listened to him and danced to his music while in college. 💜 Freaky to think he is 79! What an incredible musician! 😊
Wow! All of that trivia you shared is so interesting! Thank you for sharing!
I especially appreciated the part about The Children of the Future being released in 1968.
That's my birth year and it sort of gives me a new sense of self I've been searching for.
He's always been one of my favorite artists; one whose music resonates with me on very deep levels.
Also thanks for sharing this more funky version. I had never heard it before
Great analysis Fil. I learned a lot about one of my favorite rockers. He is a great one.
Born 2B Blue. It was great; one of the first CDs I ever purchased. When I was stationed in Okinawa, I would sit on my balcony and listen to it enlessly
Thanks for the insight into the back ground of the who, what, where and why's of how these people got their careers started. Great stuff, and as always, spot on analysis.
Hi Fil, great analysis. I remember watching this session on the Midnight Special (American version of Grey Whistle Test).
I remember Midnight Special as a kid and bought the entire series, several years back. Good stuff. Rock!
"The Joke" topped the US Billboard Hot 100 in early 1974. More than 16 years later, in September 1990, it reached number one in the UK Singles Chart for two weeks after being used in "Great Deal", a Hugh Johnson-directed television advertisement for Levi's, thus holding the record for the longest gap between transatlantic chart-toppers!
Great analysis again, Fil! Thank you!
I remember The Steve Miller Band from the '60s and 70s in particular and with his music, particularly this song, I always felt that I was being transported to another astral plane. (No cannabis involved, either.) He was a musical prodigy to be sure and he was referred to as "Stevie Gui- tar Miller". Everything you say, Fil, is an education. Thank you, again!
One of my favorite songs. Graduated from high school that year! Great analysis.
Isn't it amazing the bands were so talented when young, Cream, Steve Miller, Rush, ELP, the list goes on
I thought I heard a little of "God rest thee merry gentlemen" in the intro .
1111makala indeed you did!
Yeah I heard it to.
Someone forgot to tell Steve the 60’s psychedelic era was over. Lol.
Still good though.
1111makala , you did.
Me too! Love "God rest he merry gentlemen" & how interesting was that?
Steve Miller used to live on a ranch in Oregon back in the 70's and he was friends with James
Cotton and used to show up at James Cotton gigs in Eugene Oregon. He loved the blues!
Loving this extended version!! 👏👏💕
Love Steve Miller! Wore out the Joker album. Also, I used to watch The Midnight Special back in the day. I think I saw this performance way back when. Another great guitarist.
Wow! Thank you for another fantastic video. 👍
Love your analysis! Really enjoy your videos. Thank You!
WOW!!!!!! Been a Steve Miller fan for a long tine!!!! Saw the band at the Pac Amp a few+ years ago and they were still great🤙
I love his first break into the songAlways such great insight
he did a really great concert in chicago about 10 years ago! thanks Fil!
Keyboard player Dicky Thompson was a dear friend and B3 master, I hired him to play on many indie projects I recorded. He passed in 2019, RIP Dicky.
I've never heard the very beginning of that song so I didn't recognize it at first until quite a ways into the intro... Thanks Fil!...I love the Steve Miller Band !!...always have!!!... Yes, I too have never understood their method of induction... ✌❤🤘
No problem Lori!
I have good memories around this song. I used to go to an old East End boozer years ago and they had a juke box that played it over and over and I never got tired of hearing it. The lads from the Repton Boys boxing club used to pop in with their dads after training and they were such well-mannered boys. They used to have good live music too. Shame, near all these venues have gone.
His original keyboard player, Jim Peterman, lives less than a mile from me. Before COVID he had a jam session at his house most Tuesday nights. I was invited to play starting in April of 2013. Jim played at Monterey with Steve in 1967. The B3 he used is now at Red Door Recording Studio in Columbus NC. Jim and Steve stay in contact.
Slow guitar is a good thing. Chris Stapeton and John Fogerty are great "slow" guitarists too.👍
David Gilmore plays a real mean slow guitar.
Thanks for playing a hometown guy who is so underrated As a Musician.