Going Through Them Changes...

I hate to start something such as this on such a blue note, but that is the unfortunate way the cookie crumbles. This morning I was greeted with the terrible news that Band of Gypsys drummer buddy Miles died. As a fan of the whole Hendrix catalog, the name Buddy Miles carries some weight. Miles played on of the most influential and under rated albums of the late 60's/early 70's bluesy rock movement. That singular live album, performed on at the Fillmore East on New Years Eve and New Year's Day of 1970, influenced much of the "black rock" of the 70's. Bands like Sly and the Family Stone and Funkadelic would not exist without Buddy Miles, Jimi Hendrix, and Billy Cox. Even more so, bands like Rage against the Machine, Living Colour or even the Roots' latest guitar player "Capt.” Kirk Douglas were profoundly influenced by this album.

Band of Gypsys did not say together much beyond that concert. After a very bad show, the band split and Hendrix reformed the Jimi Hendrix Experience with original drummer Mitch Mitchell, whose jazz style was more flamboyant and busy than Miles' rock-solid fatback funk, and Band of Gypsys bass player Billy Cox. Miles was blamed for the performance by Hendrix's management, but it is largely believed to be the fault of Hendrix's management. The belief is that Hendrix was not as marketable without white musicians, so Hendrix's "chemical indulgence" was spiked to make for an especially bad night. Although the musicians went separate ways, they remained friends.

Buddy Miles had a record called "Them Changes." It is a staple for any beginning funk bass player wanting to get a deep groove or a drummer trying to get the funk a little longer. It has become a soul music standard. He played it with Hendrix and Cox on that fateful New Years Concert. Mile went on to be a staple with Carlos Santana, touring both as his drummer and as a separate solo act.

This is especially personal for me, because my uncle, Michael "Big John" Wiggins briefly played with Miles. The most memorable thing he recalled about Miles, aside from his massive size, was his musicianship. He was one mean drummer, but he was nothing to sneeze at as a guitarist. Miles guitar was a left-handed Stratocaster, strung in reverse, making it a right handed copy of the guitar Hendrix is remembered to play. Another thing he recalled was once, at a rehearsal, Miles showed up completely naked. He would break down in tears often. He never really got over loosing Hendrix from his life so early. They were really close and his death was a specter that never really left Miles. If there is one thing that can be taken away from this terrible loss to the music world, it’s that Buddy Miles no longer has to miss his departed friend, as they have both left this plane of existence.

When I die, I want people to play my music, go wild and freak out and do anything they want to do.
- Jimi Hendrix