What Happened to Steve Miller Band?

[@SrTubular]

Guess the makers of this video have never listened to "Living in the U.S.A."... very odd that it was mentioned as "Living in the United States of America" 🙄

[@Otokichi786]

About that song: In the Summer of 1969, The Steve Miller Band was getting ready to play a concert at the University of Hawaii's Andrews Ampitheater. I heard the drummer wonder aloud if the audience would be offended by the opening song, "Your Old Lady." The band began to play, the audience approved vociferously, and I later found "Living In The U.S.A." on a LP.kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqrFnIyOrZZ5d7M

[@NoNameNo.5]

Hahah exactly

[@robingeorgetowntx]

In the early 70’s I saw The Steve Miller Band (w/Boz Scaggs). Awesome performance. I later saw Boz Scaggs perform with his band. I could spend days talking about the legendary groups I’ve seen perform, The Doors, Cream, Steppenwolf, Led Zeppelin, Love, The Mothers of Invention, Grateful Dead, Chuck Berry, The Police, etc. Too many to list. Many of these artists I spoke with, drank with, played pool with, and worked with.

[@scottjustscott3730]

Frank Zappa is someone I always wanted to see live. He is one of my all time favorite guitarists for those long winded jazzy solos. RIP Frank Zappa and Jerry Garcia, someone else who I regret never having seen in person.

[@johnallenismynameandmusici2796]

Wow. You should definitely do a book man and I think it would be a big seller. Especially us old farts would buy it and many young people are interested in the likes of Jim Morrison, Ginger Baker, Eric Clapton and a lot of bands. The music lives on. I lived in Cleveland but I met and partied with many bands that came to town. Some of them I took to get a home-cooked meal at my house since my mom was a really good cook. Just regular folks. Rock stars didn't start acting like big shots until later on. The one I remember the most is meeting Janis, but that's a long story.

[@cessxiii]

For the record: Glyn Johns is pronounced like "Glinn" Johns. He has produced a shit ton of legendary artists/bands, from The Rolling Stones, to The Steve Miller Band, to The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan, Joe Cocker, The Band, The Who, The Eagles, Neil Young, and MANY more. If you're not familiar, I suggest doing some homework. He is WAY before my time, but I first learned of him on "The History of the Eagles" documentary, and did the homework myself. Dude is a LEGEND. Thanks for the content. \m/

[@okjhbk74]

Its a computer

[@GuiitarBilly]

Glyn was probably the most ubiquitous top non-Beatle engineer in the UK in the mid-late 1960s. He was especially valuable as a mix engineer. As an engineer he contributed producer-like ideas to some of the many (many) hit singles and albums he worked on, but he’s not credited as a producer. In fact he stopped working for his biggest client the Rolling Stones after many years when they wouldn’t give him producer’s credit circa early 70s. A similar thing happened to him when he engineered Led Zeppelin’s first album and, after contributing greatly to the drum micing/sound, asked Jimmy Page for co-producer credit. Like Mick and Keith, Jimmy wasn’t gonna share and they never worked together again. The Stones continued to use him for occasional mixing. This isn’t to say Glynn wasn’t a great producer, he was when he finally got the chance. His first producer work on the early Steve Miller stuff didn’t produce any true hit albums but his production of ‘Who’s Next’/The Who gave then (and us) their iconic album. His next major project, the first 2.5 Eagles albums, introduced the world to several of the hits that would land on the largest selling album of all time. Glyn is a legend by any definition. His hand touched many, many essential rock recordings..either as engineer or producer. His autobiography ‘Soundman’ is excellent.

[@charlesw.4576]

As a musician, Steve Miller has been a hero of mine for years. Not so much for his compositions, which I really like, but for his dedication to his craft, his devotion to music, and his uncompromising nature when confronting the power of the music industry.

[@WhiteNacho]

Uncomp nature??

[@jeffreycalzada3484]

I have been a fan since the beginning The man is a genius!

[@kenlodge3399]

Brave effort. WTG! I signed on when Sailor came out falling for the pre-Punk style pushing dry wit lyrics made famous by the Kinks, although years later got the impression Ray Davies was serious about Victoria. Anyway when I heard... "Living In The [United States of America] USA", including your literal interpretation, I was blown away - both times :) Back then in 1969 I heard it on a tiny FM only, Radioshack tuner with headphones I had stashed in a drawer next to my bed. At the time I was a, Young Republican, what can I say. The radio station was WABX in Detroit - the local iconoclast, breakout FM station, back when we bought designer hash pipes and unisex tie-dye t-shirts at the local "Head Shop". Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! I still love to listen to my Steve Miller Band collection, minus his pop era, which as you pointed out was his most popular era, 1973-1980. To which I can only say I was happy for the band to finally get to the top of the charts. But anyone who really loves Rock-N-Roll, has to love his early stuff, hands down!

[@daveylee4677]

Love the early raw talent of Steve and his band. He had artistic control as part of his music deal and the result on his first (3) albums was so amazing, it was not even appreciated as much as it should have been by the corporate brainwashed public at the time. His talent and musical ability hit mainstream with Book of Dreams followed by hit after hit. What happened then was his earlier music got the recognition it deserved. His Live in Chicago concert was some of his best performances ever. THANK YOU, Steve Miller Band for over 50 years of great music.🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎸

[@lawrenceschabell5740]

Their first 3 LPS were masterpieces,totally creative!!

[@gordoh7634]

Gary Mallaber! He is the drummer during SMB's greatest run. Gary's beats & fills on songs like Take the Money and Run, Keep On Rocking Me and Jungle Love are excellent right up there with the best of rock's best.

[@tyronesharp401]

Nice shout out. He makes all those tunes great. He is excellent, he's tasteful.

[@dougefresh7435]

I always key in on the drums on the songs you mentioned. He really has his own sound !

[@t.s.racing]

Steve GUITAR Miller, his latest album, Let Your Hair Down, is 1 of my favorite albums of all time.

[@peterbland7227]

He had a great run in the 70s and in 80s musical styles had changed. By then New Wave and Alternative rock had taken over.

[@jackgerke525]

Nice that Norton Buffalo got a mention.

[@onemat2000]

No mention of Dickie Thompson who was on keys for a few years. Dickie had a lot to do with the music on Fly Like an Eagle but never got any credit on it. The song was on the band's playlist long before a recorded version was released. I got to see the Band not long after the release of The Joker in Hartford, Conn. Lots of echo plex and mirrorball at that show and Fly Like An Eagle was a magnificent performamce.

[@shinyoneincarnate5565]

The five musicians on the first two Steve Miller Band albums, met at the University of Wisconsin Madison. After the second album, Steve told Boz Scaggs guitar/vox & Tim Peterson keys, that they were good enough to start their own bands, & fired them. Boz started his solo career. Jim was tired of the hotels, cold van travel, poor food, & low pay, so he went home to rest in Wisconsin.

[@theitineranthistorian2024]

"song for our ancestors", late sixties royalty. "book of dreams" was everywhere, still flying like an eagle.

[@christophermoebs5514]

Gly John! Living in the United States of America? HA HA HA HA HA wow

[@l.rongardner2150]

The guy who made this video must have eaten too many cheeseburgers.

[@paulsr54]

Yes. Gary Mallabar was woefully neglected to be mentioned here. He was not only the drummer on some of Steve’s biggest hits, he was co producer of Abracadabra! He also co wrote 8 of the 10 tracks on the album. You might want to do a video just on him as he also was on all the big hits by Eddie Money and many other gold and platinum records.

[@markc4050]

Jesus fricking christ!! "Livin in the United States of America......

[@jamesmccarthy3823]

That literally had me laughing out loud! What the actual f**k!

[@sammccue500]

The agent/manager's name is Ken Adamany, not "Academy."🙄

[@joebikeguy6669]

Steve Miller was one of my favorite bands back in the day and at one point I had his first five albums which were all great. I also saw him perform live with just Lonnie Turner and Tim Davis at the Boston Tea Party in 1969? or maybe 1970, and again with a bigger band in the seventies at U Mass. He was an excellent live guitarist and vocalist. Now for the controversial part . . . in my opinion, as he achieved more mainstream success, particularly as he began to score in the Top 40, his music became worse, cookie cutter kiddie pop. Perhaps he has gone back to his roots in recent years. I hope so. BTW, it is "Living in the U.S.A." not, United States of America. And as Cessiii has pointed out the famous producer's name is pronounced "Glin" Johnzzz.

[@andrewz4537]

Clearly the announcer is just a hire who has no real knowledge of the band or the music but is just reading a script. Anyone familiar with the band, I saw him with Curly Cook, before Skaggs joined and many times thereafter, at least in the early days. I agree with your assesment of his later releases.

[@shinyoneincarnate5565]

When a band, that was signed to Epic Records, walked into the Record Company office drunk & being rude to the secretaries, they had their albums put in the cutout bins. Ken Adamany, because of his former ties with Epic, ( being in a signed band with Steve Miller), got the call: "Who do you got thats sober & dependable?" He responded: "Rick's band." Fuse consisted of Rick Nielson keys/guitar, Tom Peterson bass, Joe Sundberg vox, Craig Myers lead guitar, Chip Greenman drums/percussion. They were recording for Smack Records. After one album for Epic, Rick & Tom formed Cheap Trick.

[@glenkepic3208]

Fan since forever, Number 5 being a fave.

[@bobdooly3706]

I saw Steve Miller perform in Sydney Australia in 2016 . He was brilliant.

[@shabadoo24]

Living in the USA is highly underrated

[@crustycobs2669]

A brilliant guitarist who learned from the best and was amazing especially before 'The Joker' took him into a strictly commercial vein. He was really great during his Blues and Psychedelia period

[@WhiteNacho]

I didn't read your comment until I put down mine. We are on the same page brotha!

[@jonbutzfiscina1307]

How come the song Space Cowboy isn't mentioned?

[@michaelmattichiii1595]

My favorite album is number 5. Listen to Curly Cook play guitar on hot chili what a guitar player he is.

[@dancomiskey2101]

Recall the Beginning.. a Journey from Eden.

[@Circuit7Active]

For me, Rock Love was his best album

[@diggerthegroundhog8799]

Most people don't know it. I do. I was at the show where Gangster was recorded.

[@madmike2624]

Well done my brother!! Great subject and content!!!

[@Doones51]

nothing like a computer voice to make me watch something else

[@debbiefromchicago902]

I saw them in the late 60's in Chicago at the Electric Theater later renamed The Kinetic Playground .

[@NewBluesBros]

How ironic he wanted to live in Chicago because of all those blues greats I highly doubt that he would want to live there now thanks to Mayor Lori Chickenhead. Still is a phenomenal guitar player and songwriter. A definite rock legend

[@dannybursace9151]

Haha! Ain’t no one wanna live in Chicago on purpose now

[@bradforward850]

What do you mean what happened to him? I just seen him about 7 or 8 yrs ago at EAA Airventure. And he's old. Where do you think he went?

[@jamesmccarthy3823]

This may be the funniest video I’ve ever seen! Unintentionally funny, but funny!

[@joeprod1]

Sounds like a Jr. High student reading a book report his mother wrote for him on a book he never bothered to open.

[@Gto1927]

@@joeprod1 you got that right.

[@duffysullivan2794]

When the San Francisco / Bay Area bands put on a free concert in Golden Gate Park, often Steve Miller would participate. I remember going to see them play at the Matrix one time too.

[@johnallenismynameandmusici2796]

I bought that album "Sailor" when it first came out and I was floored by the band then. I thought they were really ahead of their time with the way the whole album sounded. Fog horns and heavy reverb, it was pretty wild. I bought their first 5 albums. But in '73 when he started doing stuff like, "The Joker," and "Take the Money and Run," the band totally changed. I felt like it was a sellout of some kind because the music became so commercialized. Frankly, I thought something happened to his head during his absence. I mean, maybe those successful songs were OK but I thought the earlier albums were more experimental and better. Also, when they play those big hits for the 500th time it gets a little boring.

[@blondbowler8776]

Anyone know who plays harp on the first album? "Fannie Mae", specifically, as it has been a major influence on my own style since 1968. I've heard it might have been Norton Buffalo, but I have no confirmation of that. One of my favorite songs ever. Question answered at about 7:55. RIP, Nort. May your harp always be smokin'.

[@kenarakawa6629]

probably Steve himself playing the harp

[@oregon32nursenurse43]

I just remember Steve miller band in 1978. Awesome music!! So much politics in the music industry! I guess it’s just the way it works because it’s all about money!!!

[@robertashton8069]

Let's hear it for " My Dark Hour". Never heard it? Sorry!

[@greatdaneacdc]

Saw them in Penticton BC few years ago Great band great sound !

[@thomasrice4930]

What happened to the Steve Miller Band? They were inducted into the R&R HoF a few years ago.

[@sevenwilliams3485]

He has a new generation of fans now ! Thanks Eminem !

[@patlalla148]

a detail you might consider adding was that, at some point in the 1990 the Steve Miller band played a concert where a balcony was being used for people to watch the show and that balcony collapsed killing fans. Miller stopped performing for a time because of this happening in the states. Pretty sure it was him. Always loved those songs from the GH album. Timeless.

[@victorhawkins3461]

"Some people call me Maurice..." Uh, dude...folks already beat you up pretty good for "Livin' in the U.S.A." ("Somebody gimme a cheez burger!") No mention of Ben Sidran? Gary Mallaber? Steve's album BORN 2B BLUE is quite a departure from the usual SMB offerings...you should check it out. No mention of the track "My Dark Hour" from BRAVE NEW WORLD, the track he cut with Paul McCartney? And a +1 on the whole Glyn Johns thing. You've got a great idea here, sir, but you needs to be doin' yer homework. Some of us are old enough to have played this stuff on free-form FM radio back when it was new.

[@Mike-hr6jz]

The pre-fab five with daddy is part of the recording industry his little son can have any of the toys or talents needed to make you famous

[@billyhensley7770]

One of my favorites Steve Miller band

[@minkymott]

"Fractured a neck"? He has more than one?

[@patrickhutton6646]

What did happen?After the album Sailor,they became a Pop band playing almost Bubble Gum music.WHAT THE HELL DID HAPPEN?????????????????

[@randybailey1688]

I agree. After the first two albums and Boz went on his way it did turn into bubble gum

[@shinyoneincarnate5565]

I saw Steve Miller play an out door show in Milwaukee. He had received the Key to the City from Dallas, San Francisco, New Orleans, Madison, Chicago, New York, Austin, & that day Milwaukee, ( the city of his birth). He called his mother to excitedly tell her the news, (she still lived in Milwaukee). His joy carried over into his performance that day. He was called back, & did 18 encore numbers.

[@jtmichaelson]

Work on it. You have a great concept of a channel but just needs work. It comes in time and experience. You'll get it

[@gcarlson]

Good video clips and photos, good interesting information (Les Paul? didn't know about that!), voice recording itself (levels, etc.) seem fine but your actual delivery and some choppy editing stick out as rough to me, just to be a little more direct with the criticism. new sub!

[@docheine]

@@gcarlson Constructive criticism. Refreshing!

[@gcarlson]

@@docheine That's what I would want!

[@ericnieves9884]

Because you are such an expert……tongue firmly in cheek.

[@gcarlson]

@@ericnieves9884 there you are! Just a matter of time before poopy pants has to comment. Thanks for not letting us down, hero.

[@jameskennedy721]

The early days were the most interesting for these guys .

[@drobbi]

"Living in the United States of America"? Uh, try "Living in the U.S.A."

[@moondancevanmorrisontribut9361]

I knew Lonnie Turner well. He was a good friend and he lived out his years in Portland, Oregon. Lonnie was a very gifted bass player whose bass lines on the Joker and Fly Like an Eagle, along with many other songs, made these songs work and thus a financial success for Miller. This video does not even begin to recogize Lonnie's contributions. Generally Speaking Miller was disrespectful and treated his band mates very poorly to say the least.

[@docheine]

Interesting

[@tyronesharp401]

That Fly Like an Eagle band was outstanding; easily the best thing he ever did. That bass line made the Joker interesting.

[@johnbergen9663]

Lonnie was a great bassist and one of my earliest influences.

[@scroungey9417]

Didn’t he and Boz meet at St. Mark’s in Dallas?

[@marvymarier8988]

Sailor....a great album .

[@bruscifer]

I couldn't help but remember young new Christian me wanted to listen to the Joker so bad, but thought it was too Satanic back then. Don't ask me why. I think the cover had something to do with it. That and something about being a "midnight toker", and getting "love" on the run. Oh not to mention wanting to "shake your tree". LOL! Now, old Atheist me will listen to what I damn well please, and the Joker is one of many Steve Miller songs I love! ROCK ON!

[@alm5693]

This is painful to listen to. I made it up to "break a....neck", then I had to bail.

[@themusicbook8679]

I was just relieved to find out he had another neck that was ok! 😂

[@TooOldFor]

Does anybody know the stories behind the modified guitars Steve and Boz held on the cover photo for "Sailor"?

[@johnbergen9663]

Added Gibson EBO and Precision bass pickups to the Guild Starfire and the Barney Kessel which was a ridiculous idea since they would have made for an overloaded muddy sound! But people did dumb things in the sixties!

[@TooOldFor]

@@johnbergen9663 The pickup added to the Barney Kessel looks like it came from an 8-string steel guitar to me. It is hard to figure what they had in mind.

[@jcortega5134]

Why no mention on Boz Scaggs great solo career??

[@jomamackdaddy]

Abracadabra happened. Right up there with domo aragato mr robato, and we built this city. Career ending tunes.

[@williamgullett5911]

Exactly right on all those...I will give you two more...Keep on Lovin You by REO in which they sold out to get top 40 plays, and Centerfold and that other J Geils tune Freezeframe which was the end of Geils

[@Donkeybone10]

But we liked it!

[@marcintime]

Why no mention of the great album 'Recall The Beginning A Journey from Eden',from the golden days before the band 'went commercial'?

[@bedmac2]

Indeed - that four-song side two is on the short list of my favorite album sides ever. It's the only Steve Miller album I own; just recently picked up an Argentinian CD (via Germany) of it to go along with my vinyl.

[@marcintime]

@@bedmac2 yes agree 100% second side brilliant, Steve's best stuff I'd say, though first side not bad either! I managed to get the hard-to-find cd too. N°5 is my joint favourite album of his.

[@kevinoshea4134]

Nothing happened to the Steve Miller band their still touring I'm going to see them this month

[@stephenmeier4658]

If you can find someone who can read the copy in a professional manner, you might have something here.

[@zolarczakl6815]

"Miller was engaged in a car accident in 1971 and fractured a... neck as a result of this" How many necks he have??

[@RickLipinski]

Gerald Johnson. Did I miss you mentioning? If I did I apologize immediately.🌌🌲🐌🌲

[@susiewheeler8197]

I saw Jazz at Lincoln Center with Jimmie Vaughn

[@daveylee4677]

Steve Miller Band’s 1st Album CHILDREN OF THE FUTURE was released in 1968. Do the math. 55 years. ❤✌️🎵🎶🎶

[@anthonygranuzzo268]

Love steve miller band!!!

[@BunnychanFarabee]

He's about to be stupidly rich again thanks to Slim Shady.

[@russellesimonetta3835]

Loved that early band!

[@KevinWickerProductions]

It's "Living In The U.S.A", NOT "Living In The United States of America". Give the song a listen, young man.

[@musicstream26]

Calling it, "Living In The United States of America," says to me the guy making the video put this together through research and might not know a thing about Steve Miller otherwise.

[@donfisher8035]

Kinda curious how Miller decided to tie "all the way to Tacoma, and further to LA. Northern California where the....etc. As Tacoma is the third largest city in Washington, but not that famous on the tongues of most people. Tacoma actually is quite the breakout city in the eighties, so maybe that's where. Tacoma was THE spot to go in the 1880's, as my ancestors came from Wisconsin and Minnesota, straight to Tacoma. My city. Ironically Miller was born in MI, Wisconsin. Musically a welcome shift from seventies grind.

[@tyronesharp401]

Abracadabra happened to the Steve Miller band.

[@lbowsk]

No. 5 and Anthology. Two of my faves. Most everything after that was pop crap. Fly like an Eagle makes me retch like a wino, but his early work is fantastic. Take the money and run gives me the runs.

[@leonardkrasner5811]

No.5 is in my opinion his the best he ( SMB) album! I’ve been listening to it since it first came out! One of my favorite all time albums.

[@jamesmack3314]

Wrong,fly like an eagle is a great song as is the album...you have no pulse if you don’t get a kick out of take the money....”sit around the house,get high and watch the tube”?! If you lived the 70’s you can relate to that!

[@godfreydaniel6278]

@@jamesmack3314 Every artist is entitled to choose their own path - and everyone has the right to like what they like. That being said, Miller dropped cutting edge creative material for pop dross - which apparently you like. End result - his greatest work never gets played on any but the most progressive radio stations and you can hear "Fly" And "Take the Money" four times a day on any computer-programmed "classic rock" station. Yawn...

[@jamesmack3314]

@@godfreydaniel6278 Well I agree with some of what you’re saying but I think his last great creative burst was the fly like an eagle album and after that it got pretty cheesy with things like abracadabra and jet airliner but I always like take the money it had a good beat and fun lyrics but you can’t expect him to just be the psychedelic 60s guy forever

[@lbowsk]

@@godfreydaniel6278 Thanks for that. "Pop dross" is exactly right.

[@bwithrow011]

Glyn Johns name is pronounced Glin not Gline

[@samsonwilkinson8090]

'He fractured a neck.' How many does he have?

[@Lightw81]

There's a hole in the sound which I suspect once held "vertebra in his".

[@ephraimgarrett4727]

I liked their sound, but for some reason none of their songs really did much for me.

[@davidperry7271]

Nope just wasn’t my style ever and im 59

[@jsamc]

Fractured a neck ? I thought Steve was a peaceful dude.

[@kathleenphillips6445]

“Livin’ in the United States of America “?

[@broeheem2804]

What happened to them? 50 years happened.

[@ConvairDart106]

Where is the link?

[@whathappenedtothem_]

It’s at the end of the video

[@xxryder1]

Howling Wolf! hahahahahah

[@l.rongardner2150]

It says, "Steve Miller fractured a neck." How many necks does Steve have?

[@williameidson7289]

how does robert winkleman fit into steve's band

[@zeldafan9016]

something tells me this a AI voice narrating it

[@billyhensley7770]

Do one on the king harvest band

[@dwainsellers6453]

They are playing there magic in Redding Ca. Sept. 17th 2023 . That's what happened to th

[@diggerthegroundhog8799]

Gline jons? Glynn. Like win. Living in the Unites States of America? Who is this Joker? No pun intended.

[@seanmcaleavy2369]

I don't mean to be overly critical but maybe do a little research on the subject matter and don't just go with the first take of the narration. It sounds clumsy and, well... like a first take.

[@griptechaustralia]

Put some music in there man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@rr-jp7kg]

David and Ed took up politics later.

[@5jerry1]

~ You REALLY need to learn peoples' names.

[@aimcrazy5843]

Here in canada we love steve miller band - i was born in 1985

[@glenndrexler1677]

They Retired!

[@FourFan44]

Nope- on tour right now

[@jenadidio6536]

They were in Central Point, Or. last weekend playing at a brew fest.

[@jbucktheman]

His music was good. The lyrics….. not so much

[@robertpersall98]

Lose the robot voice over.

[@jamesfarrington9030]

I gave up with Abracadabra. Really?

[@bluesky9376]

The narrator has trouble reading.

[@WhiteNacho]

The Joker was where it all went to shit. The band became commercialized. All the prior works were EPIC!

[@Pighood]

Dreadful vocal quality narrator