Buddy Miles RIP

February 29, 2008 2:06 PM

Drummer Buddy Miles has died. Another wonderful musician - one who played with Jimi Hendrix's Band of Gypsies - died far too young.
posted by dbiedny (30 comments total)

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posted by ardgedee at 2:08 PM on February 29, 2008

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posted by Thorzdad at 2:09 PM on February 29, 2008

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posted by TrialByMedia at 2:13 PM on February 29, 2008

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Saw him sit in with Phish at Madison Square Garden during their two-night stand there in the Fall of '96. There was an extra drum kit onstage the entire night, sitting empty. He came out for the All Along the Watchtower encore and tore the roof off.

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posted by Roach at 2:14 PM on February 29, 2008

There is a sad shortage of drummers named Buddy.

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posted by tkchrist at 2:16 PM on February 29, 2008

The Electric Flag at Monterey.

I could never figure out if this was a hat or an afro.

Buddy sings "Motown" with dried grapes.

A nice obit. with good links.
posted by joseph_elmhurst at 2:24 PM on February 29, 2008

Aw, man.
posted by interrobang at 2:26 PM on February 29, 2008

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posted by chillmost at 2:27 PM on February 29, 2008

Now my mind is goin thru Them Changes.

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posted by Herodios at 2:28 PM on February 29, 2008

Saw him sit in with Junior Brown - behind a single snare drum - at this show in 1998. A big old time.
posted by liam at 2:43 PM on February 29, 2008

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posted by flapjax at midnite at 2:49 PM on February 29, 2008

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posted by motty at 2:57 PM on February 29, 2008

I could never figure out if this was a hat or an afro.

I vote afro.

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posted by Daddy-O at 3:03 PM on February 29, 2008

Here is the Band of Gypsys (Buddy Miles, Jimi Hendrix, and Billy Cox) Playing Machine Gun. This is either New Years Eve 1969 or New Years Day 1970, I can't remember which.
posted by Daddy-O at 3:19 PM on February 29, 2008

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he had a nice feel when he was on
posted by pyramid termite at 3:26 PM on February 29, 2008

Which raisin was he?
posted by langedon at 3:47 PM on February 29, 2008

Which raisin was he?

He was the voice - the main singer.
posted by joseph_elmhurst at 4:03 PM on February 29, 2008

♪
posted by Smart Dalek at 4:21 PM on February 29, 2008

Aw man, I was just listening to "Them Changes" this week.

RIP
posted by glycolized at 5:01 PM on February 29, 2008

I suppose I shouldn't take this opportunity to point out that the late Mr. Miles wasn't a very good drummer, that "Them Changes" is his best song, and it still sucks, that he was part of the wretched, plodding Band of Gypsies that African American organized crime figures forced on Jimi Hendrix, and that whatever veneration he has is from dumb hippies who were too stoned to realize he wasn't Sam Lay.
posted by Faze at 5:18 PM on February 29, 2008

Oh yeah, and

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posted by Faze at 5:22 PM on February 29, 2008

faze, i suppose i shouldn't take this opportunity to point out that mr miles sneezed out cocaine boogers that were more musically inclined than you
posted by pyramid termite at 5:25 PM on February 29, 2008

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(a flam for buddy)
posted by secret about box at 6:21 PM on February 29, 2008

Oh man, he was only 60. Glad he got a decent run in though and was well loved. What a great smile he had, something warmly vulnerable about him, twinkly and vital. Here is a photo of him as a kid prodigy.

Killing Floor by Electric Flag with him on drums is one of my all time favorites, ever, it's *tight*.

Buddy, thank you. May you rest in peace.
posted by nickyskye at 6:54 PM on February 29, 2008

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posted by MNDZ at 10:58 PM on February 29, 2008

Purple Faze all in my brain, lately things just dont seem the same : I used to love the Band of Gypsys album... and all the members of the trio of course. I felt it was a time of achievement in Jimi Hendrix's career and that the rhythm section was just what the guitarist needed.... I'll have to check it out further. But the music they produced together is still incredibly good I think.
RIP
posted by nicolin at 3:19 AM on March 1, 2008

Them Changes" is his best song, and it still sucks

Riight.
posted by ersatz at 4:16 AM on March 1, 2008

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posted by ob at 11:57 AM on March 1, 2008

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posted by Wolof at 4:20 AM on March 2, 2008

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posted by Fuzzy Monster at 7:31 AM on March 2, 2008