Sunday, March 2, 2008

Hendrix "Band of Gypsies" Drummer Buddy Miles Dies


When Jimi Hendrix wanted to find new musical direction at the end of the 60's he turned to none other than Buddy Miles, drummer, founder of the seminal rock/funk/soul outfit Electric Flag (with Mike Blomfield) and drummer on the massive Electric Ladyland album.

Jimi formed Band of Gyspies with Buddy in 1970, his first all-black group, releasing the psychadelic-jam and funk album of the same name, set in the Fillmore East, Jimi's last before he died.

'That was the highlight of my life, that was vintage James Marshall Hendrix.'—Buddy Miles re Band of Gypsies

After Jimi's death Buddy would tour and record under his own name, collaborate with Santana, Muddy Waters, Stevie Wonder, write songs for Cheech and Chong, perform with George Clinton and reunite with Billy Cox for his last album (The Band of Gypsies Return, 2006)

Miles died last week in his home of Austin, Texas, after a battle with heart disease, 38 years after his colleague Jimi Hendrix.

"Buddy passed with loved ones holding his hands. He left us with many treasures … We will miss him dearly," said a statement on his website
Image: Courtesy Ruf

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