The Death Of Buddy Miles

Another musician from the Sixties generation has gone to rock and roll heaven. Buddy Miles died on Wednesday. Many of you are wondering "Who's Buddy Miles"? Buddy Miles was one of the few African Americans in the primarily white rock and roll world of the Sixties. Of course, if you know your rock and roll history, you know that rock and roll was really created by African Americans. If you don't believe me, check out Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley. Anyway, Buddy Miles first became well known as the drummer for a band he created with Michael Bloomfield called "The Electric Flag". They made their debut at the infamous Monterey Pop Festival in the summer of 1967. Michael Bloomfield was one of the premier white blues guitarists. Part of the uniqueness of the Electric Flag was that they were one of the first integrated bands in rock and roll. Another part of their uniqueness was having a horn section. Horns were relatively rare in rock and roll bands. Later, groups like Chicago and Blood, Sweat, and Tears became very famous for their horn sections. Buddy Miles most famous gig was being part of Jimi Hendrix's only all African American band called the "Band of Gypsy's". They recorded a historic live album on New Years Eve 1969 at the famous New York venue called the Fillmore East. The Fillmore East was to hippies, who were mostly white, what the Apollo was to African Americans. If I had a time machine I would want to go back in time and visit the Fillmore East as many times as I could. If I was smart, I would also check out the Apollo on a night that James Brown was playing. Buddy Miles also toured and play with other guitar luminaries like John McLaughlin and Carlos Santana. Unfortunately, he was one of the few musicians from the Sixties that I never saw perform live. RIP.

Since we are starting a new month tomorrow, it is once again time to go to the monastery for my monthly visit on Sunday. I do enjoy my visits to the monastery. I'm also having lunch with my friend, Fr. Dennis. I wasn't able to see him on my last trip so we have a lot of catching up to do. Much of my life I feel like I am always listening to other people and their tales of woe. I have a few of my own tales and Fr. Dennis listens to me. As I've said before, he's like a big brother to me and I need that.