The drummer who witnessed the end of the Hendrix era
In short: He was a child of jazz royalty, touring with his father's band by age twelve. But Buddy Miles became a cornerstone of rock history, serving as a full-time employee in Jimi Hendrix's Band of Gypsys and witnessing the chaotic, often tragic, backstage realities of a legend.
Born in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1947, George Allen 'Buddy' Miles Jr. was steeped in musical lineage. His father performed with jazz giants like Duke Ellington and Charlie Parker, and Miles himself began touring with his father's band, the Bebops, at just twelve years old. By his teens, he was already a fixture in the R&B scene, performing with acts such as Wilson Pickett and the Delfonics.
Miles's career is inextricably linked to Jimi Hendrix. After meeting in Montreal in 1964, the two collaborated extensively. In 1969, Miles and bassist Billy Cox were hired as full-time salaried employees for the Band of Gypsys, a three-month collaboration born from Hendrix's desire to move beyond his previous contractual entanglements. Miles was present during the band's turbulent period, including a notorious charity event at Madison Square Garden where Hendrix suffered a stage meltdown. Miles later leveled a heavy accusation against Hendrix's manager, Michael Jeffery, claiming Jeffery had drugged the guitarist on stage.
Beyond his work with Hendrix, Miles led several influential groups, including the Electric Flag and the Buddy Miles Express. His versatility allowed him to move from blues-rock to even providing the lead vocals for the iconic California Raisins claymation commercials in the 1980s. Despite facing personal struggles, including prison terms for theft in the late 1970s and early 1980s, he remained a prolific force in music until his death from congestive heart disease in February 2008.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Buddy Miles
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