Stephen Miller co-founded the Steve Miller Band in 1966, writing songs, leading vocals, playing harmonica and keyboards, and picking up the guitar. Today, he’s the only original member left. Read more at dallaski.
Early Passion for Music
Born on October 5, 1943, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Steve grew up surrounded by music. His mother was a jazz singer, and his father—a physician—loved recording local talent. At age six, his uncle gave him a guitar, and Steve took to it immediately. One day, blues and country pioneer Les Paul visited their home. After hearing Steve play, Paul encouraged him to keep honing his craft, predicting he had the makings of a great musician.
Finding Himself
In the early 1950s, the Millers moved to Dallas, where their home became a recording hub for artists like T-Bone Walker. Walker even taught Steve to play guitar behind his back and with his teeth. In high school, Steve formed his first group, The Marksmen, teaching his brother Buddy bass and introducing classmate Boz Scaggs to basic chords—both would later rise to fame.
In 1962, Steve returned to Wisconsin to enroll at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and started another band. He then headed to Copenhagen’s university, only to drop out and pursue music full-time. Eager to immerse himself in blues, he moved to Chicago—despite his father’s doubts and his mother’s backing.
Exploring Psychedelic Blues
In Chicago, Steve jammed with legends Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf. Convinced that music was his true calling, he relocated to San Francisco and formed The Steve Miller Blues Band—soon renamed the Steve Miller Band. Their 1968 debut, Children of the Future, captured the city’s psychedelic-blues vibe.
Collaboration with Paul McCartney
In 1969, the band recorded Brave New World, featuring a surprise guest: Paul McCartney. McCartney, then at odds with his Beatles bandmates, dropped in to record “My Dark Hour,” playing bass, drums, and backing vocals while Steve handled the rest.
The Second Act
After a car accident and bout of hepatitis in 1972, Steve stepped away from pure blues. During recovery, he penned the simple tune The Joker, which shot to the top of the Billboard Hot 100. He continued blending pop and rock, releasing Fly Like an Eagle (1976) and Book of Dreams (1977), both huge hits. In 1978, the compilation Greatest Hits 1974–78 became the band’s best-selling North American album.
Steve’s popularity peaked through the ’80s and ’90s. In 2016, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Today, he’s celebrated as one of the defining voices of ’70s rock. He keeps his personal life private but is known to be married to Janice Ginsberg Miller.