Remembering Buddy Miles and Mike Smith

Just some thoughts on two music greats who passed away last week.

I was saddened to hear of the death of the great Buddy Miles. Buddy was one hell of a singer and drummer. Buddy died this past Tuesday, February 26, 2008 at home in Austin, Texas. He was 60. Buddy had been suffering recently from congestive heart disease.  What made this a little bit more poignant was the fact that Steve Winwood and Eric Clapton had performed Buddy’s signature song “Them Changes” the night before (Monday the 25th) at Madison Square Garden. I was at the show and flipped when they did it. Little did I know, Buddy was ill and would die the next day. As it turns out, Buddy heard them perform it through his cell phone. It was Steve and Eric’s tribute to him.

Buddy was born in Omaha, Nebraska on September 5, 1947. He was known as a child prodigy, playing drums professionally at the age of 12. George Allen Miles, Jr. got his nickname from his aunt. She named him after Buddy Rich. Buddy played with such acts as the Ink Spots, the Delfonics and Wilson Pickett. In 1967, he teamed up with guitarist Mike Bloomfield to form the Electric Flag. By 1968, the Electric Flag were done and Buddy formed his own band, the Buddy Miles Express. Buddy also started up a relationship with Jimi Hendrix. The friendship led Jimi to invite Buddy to play drums for him and this led to the formation of Jimi’s post Experience band, Band of Gypsys. Check out the album Band Of Gypsys, recorded live at the Fillmore East on New Year’s Eve/Day 1969/1970. By 1971, Buddy was recording solo. He would go out on the road with Carlos Santana for some shows which resulted in the 1972 album Carlos Santana And Buddy Miles! Live!. In 1987, Buddy would turn up as a member of Santana, taking over as the band’s lead singer for their album Freedom. I remember how excited I was to see Buddy on vocals when I saw Santana live that year! Buddy was also the lead voice of the California Raisins! Buddy Miles will be missed.

Then, word came out that Mike Smith, lead singer and keyboard player for the Dave Clark Five, died on Thursday, February 28 at the age of 64. Mike died from pneumonia, a complication from the 2003 accident in which Mike was paralysed as the result of a fall. This happened just two months after Mike’s son died in a tragic diving accident. The Dave Clark Five will be inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 10. Michael George Smith was born in England on December 6, 1943. The beginnings of the DC5 can be traced back to 1957. Their first album was released in 1964. They broke up in 1970. They were responsible for some great songs and, for awhile, were a commercial threat to the Beatles. “Do You Love Me?”, “Glad All Over”, “Bits And Pieces”, “Can’t You See That She’s Mine”, “Because”, “I Like It Like That”, “Catch Us If You Can”, “Over And Over” and “You Got What It Takes” were their biggest hits. It will be awfully sad on March 10 to see the Dave Clark Five get inducted into the Rock Hall, knowing that Mike Smith has just died and he never had the chance to experience the thrill of being a Hall of Famer. Mike Smith will always be an all time Hall of Famer in our hearts, minds...and ears.