Them Changes

Legendary Drummer Buddy Miles passed away Tuesday, peacefully at his home in Austin, TX. He was sixty (60) years young. He suffered from congestive heart failure but the official cause of death is yet to be announced. Buddy Miles, born George Miles Jr. on September 5, 1947, was best known for his drumming with Billy Cox and Jimi Hendrix's "Band of Gypsys." 

Following in the footsteps of his father, George A. Miles Sr., who played stand-up bass with Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Charlie Bird Parker, Dexter Gordon and countless others, Miles began playing drums at the age of 8. After playing with his fathers band, The Bebops, he left for New York and eventually hooked up with Michael Bloomfield at the RKO Theatre after his performance with Wilson Picket.  This chance meeting resulted in the formation of the blues-rock band "Electric Flag." 

Miles and Hendrix had meet early during the sixties in Canada as sidemen for other artist. This resulting friendship would lead to Miles drumming on Hendrix's landmark album "Electric Ladyland" in 1968, then the Hendrix produced Buddy Miles release, "Electric Church" in 1969 and finally the groundbreaking "Band of Gypsys at the Fillmore West"  live album on New Years Eve in 1970. Two of the songs on the album were written by Miles; "We Gotta Live Together" and "Them Changes." 

Buddy Miles recorded over 70 albums and would work with some of the greatest names in music including The Ink Spots, Stevie Wonder, Muddy Waters, The Delphonics, John McLaughlin, Phish, Michael Bloomfeild, Wilson Picket, Crosby, Stills and Young, Eric Burden, Stevie Ray  and Jimmy Vaughn, Rick James, Pinetop Perkins, Koko Taylor, Barry White, Aretha Franklin, Santana, David Bowie and many more.

Miles greatest success came with his version of "I Heard it Through the Grapevine" for the California Raisins commercial in 1986 and the subsequent three studio California Raisins album releases. The California Raisins reportedly grossed more in 1986 than all the California raisin farmers made selling them.

Buddy Miles will always be remembered for his energy laced grooving rhythms and right up until his death,  he continued to tour, record, and produce other artist while in true form always staying deep in the pocket.....

In lieu of flowers; the family has asked to make donations to the

  Jazz Foundation of America.

The Jazz Foundation of America

322 W 48th St

New York, NY 10036

Attn: Amy Cusma

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