Some Call Me the Gangster of Love

The Steve Miller Band was formed in 1968. With sixteen albums, and three number one singles, the Steve Miller Band became an important influence in the history of rock and roll. The Steve Miller Band transitioned from Chicago blues rock to San Francisco pop rock; a move that allowed the Steve Miller Band to establish loyal fans, and then become popular in the world of rock.

Steve Miller was born on October 5, 1943 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His father, George Miller, worked as a recording engineer and a doctor of pathology. With his father being a recording engineer, artists often visited the Miller home. Among them was a family friend named Les Paul. The creator of the electric guitar, Les Paul was also Steve Miller’s godfather. When Steve was four years old he was given his first guitar, it was on that guitar that Les Paul taught him his first chords.

When he was seven years old, the Miller family moved to Texas. Steve formed his first band when he was only 12 years old. Titled The Marksman, with member William “Boz” Scaggs on vocals, the band played for over five years. 

In Chicago, the blues scene began to take shape. Steve Miller met Roy Ruby, Maurice McKinley, and Barry Goldberg and they quickly became members of The Goldberg-Miller Blues Band. They played small clubs in Chicago, often opening for large acts such as Muddy Waters and Buddy Guy. Their blues music with a rock edge caught the eye of Epic Records and they then obtained a recording contract.

They soon disbanded and Steve returned to Texas to take classes at the University of Texas. However, Steve was not admitted to the university. Discouraged and frustrated, he had heard the record of the Jefferson Airplane and decided to travel to San Francisco. According to “Gangster of Love.com”, a fan-based Steve Miller Band website, “He bought a used Volkswagon Microbus and headed to San Francisco. Upon arrival he spent his last $5 to see the Paul Butterfield Blues Band and Jefferson Airplane at the Fillmore Auditorium.”

In 1967, after moving to San Francisco, Steve contacted a few friends he had known from previous bands. James Cooke became the new guitarist, Lonnie Turner the new bassist, and Tim Davis joined on drums.  In June of 1967, the band played back up for the legendary guitar player and performer Chuck Berry. Their amazing performance allowed them to sign with Capitol Records.

Steve Miller is not only known for his musical accomplishments. The contract signed between the Miller Blues Band and Capitol Records set a precedent for future artists. The contract included terms that stated the band had complete control of their music. The band was to be sent to England to record their first album. But first a few changes were made. Childhood friend Royce Scaggs was once again called upon as an addition to one of Steve Miller’s bands. James Cook was replaced by a new guitarist named Jim Peterman. They recorded their first album “Children of the Future” under the name of the Steve Miller Band.

After recording “Sailor” in January 1969, Royce Scaggs decided to leave the band to pursue a solo career.  A song entitled “Space Cowboy” became their first hit. More successful albums were to follow. “Your Saving Grace” was released in 1970 and reached the top 40. Because of stressful times on the road the band members began to fight. As had happened throughout the years, the members of the band were about to change. Lonnie Turner was replaced by Bobby Winkleman. “Number 5” was released in November of 1970. The album contained the recordings of Steve Miller and various people he had met on the road. Among them were Buddy Spicher, Wayne Moss, and Charlie McCoy.

Once again the band began to morph into something completely different. Capitol Records continuously had the band recording, along with crazy tour dates and stressful personal lives, Tim Davis and Bobby Winkleman left the band. They were of course replaced. Ross Valory played the bass and Jack King played the drums.

 “Recall the Beginning … A Journey from Eden” released in 1972, was the last album before the band got its big break. However, it was after its release that things had turned sour for Steve Miller. Steve broke his neck in a car accident. Although he managed to regain enough strength to continue with the tour, he finally called it quits when he was diagnosed with hepatitis. He traveled home to Texas to regain strength and be with his family. It was almost a year before he would return to the studio.

It was in 1973 when the transition from the blues band with Chicago roots to the San Francisco band on the pop charts occurred. “The Joker” was released in 1973 with a pop rock sound that the radio loved. The title track “The Joker” became a number one song on the pop charts and would become one of the bands most successful and well known tracks. Several more albums would follow.

Steve Miller continued to work as a solo artist in addition to his band. He recorded several songs with Paul McCartney. The Steve Miller Band continues to tour and sell over a million cds every year. Their music style set precedents for future artists. Despite the many changes the band underwent, Steve Miller himself never turned his back on the music he grew up listening to and performed throughout an almost forty year career.