ABRACADABRA
YOU'RE 65, SPACE COWBOY!
Long before he was a fixture on mainstream radio and casino concert circuit Steve Miller was a shining light to emerge from the '60s, a flower power bluesman with a baby face and superb collaborators like Boz Scaggs and Ben Sidran. He was a special guest of the freakin' Allman Brothers Band during their legendary Fillmore East concert recordings, but he'd already backed up Chuck Berry in 1967 at the same venue. For those only familiar with Miller's hit singles (which, admittedly are often incredibly tasty ear candy), it's worth checking out the string of explosively creative, altogether cool albums the Steve Miller Band released between 1968 and 1970, starting with Children of the Future and wrapping with the unsung gem of his catalog, Number 5. Subsequent hit albums The Joker, Fly Like An Eagle and Book of Dreams sealed his place in popular music and set the template for the remainder of his career. Steve Miller celebrates his 65th birthday today and we tip our hats to the "Gangster of Love," or Maurice as we like to call him.
Here's an early take on "Fly Like An Eagle" from Don Kirshner's Rock Concert in 1973 that predates its recorded debut by three full years. The boy can play a downright mean guitar and this is a stellar example.
It's his party and it freaks us out! Miller offers up a revamped "Space Cowboy" on Dutch TV in 1970 that swings with a "Incense and Peppermints" flavor.
Despite the pink tuxedo, this is a pretty roadhouse ready version of "Livin' In The U.S.A."
Don't forget, you can eyeball video sweetness 24/7 with JamBase TV.
| 
