Steve Miller Band Artistfacts

Steve Miller Band song list

Steve Miller Band Artistfacts

October 5, 1943
Miller is one of the most inconspicuous rock stars in history. He loves making and performing music, but hates doing promotion or appearing in public anywhere offstage. He became one of the top acts of the '70s, but most listeners didn't know anything about him, including what he looked like.
Miller was born in Milwaukee and raised in Dallas. In 1966 he moved to San Francisco and formed The Steve Miller Blues Band, which was shortened to The Steve Miller Band when they signed with Capitol Records the next year.
He's a huge fan of blues music. When music went digital, he hired college kids to transfer his blues albums onto a hard drive, and ended up with 6000 tracks. John Lee Hooker is one of his favorites.
Miller uses a fluctuating lineup of musicians. About 30 different members have played in the band.
In an interview to promote the Steve Miller Band Live In Chicago DVD, Miller talked about why his songs stand the test of time. His reply: "They're fairly simple tunes. There's a lot of harmony singing, and then when you go through the lyrics they have meaning to people. But I think the main thing is that they're positive lyrics that people like to sing."
His biggest influences as a guitarist are Les Paul and T-Bone Walker. When Miller was 4 years old, Les Paul taught him his first chords. When Miller was 9, Walker taught him how to play lead guitar. Miller also learned a great deal about songwriting from Walker.
Miller stopped touring in the early '80s when his crowds dwindled. In 1988, he went back on the road and learned he was as popular as ever, as his songs found new life on classic rock radio.

Comments: 3

Jim from Lake Orion, MichiganI was a deaf teenager (now 59) without any exposure to music, until one day a friend of my brother's let me listen to a album he had. It was Steve's greatest hits '72-'78 and immediately I was hooked on music. I even bought a book with all of his lyrics and memorized every songs written/sung by the band. From that point on, I have attended the lion's share of great concerts yet I saw Steve Miller Band more than once and the concerts were top notch! Now, that my hearing has declined to the point where having a hearing aid wasn't helping so I'm waiting for a cochlear implant. Once I get that put in, the first concert I'll go to will be the Steve Miller Band...pure music really takes the cake!
Eddie Rad from South Hadley, MaI graduated in 1975 from high school and definitely grew up with Steve Miller in my old Toyota Land Cruiser going 4 wheeling with my buddies. So thankful for all his music that he wrote that was the music of my life! My favorite is wild mountain honey!
Brad from Barry, TxSteve Miller grew up with Boz Scaggs, who was the orignal lead singer for The Steve Miller Band.

see more comments

More Songfacts:

Susie QCreedence Clearwater Revival

Creedence Clearwater Revival's first single was a cover of a rockabilly song called "Susie Q." When it became a hit, group leader John Fogerty went into a songwriting frenzy so they wouldn't be one-hit wonders, resulting in hits like "Proud Mary" and "Lodi."

AnticipationCarly Simon

Carly Simon wrote "Anticipation" when Cat Stevens was late for their first date. She was "anticipating" his arrival and set down with her guitar to calm her nerves.

OnlineBrad Paisley

The video for Brad Paisley's "Online" is a mini-Seinfeld reunion, featuring Jason Alexander, Estelle Harris, and Patrick Warburton.

SpoonmanSoundgarden

"Spoonman" by Soundgarden is about a real street performer in Seattle: Artis the Spoonman.

What Made Milwaukee FamousRod Stewart

The very American song "What Made Milwaukee Famous" was never a big hit in the US, but Rod Stewart made it famous in the UK.

Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)Kate Bush

The Kate Bush song "Running Up That Hill" is about making a deal with God to switch lives with your partner so there would be no more misunderstandings.