Jimmy Miller (producer)
Encyclopedia
James "Jimmy" Miller (23 March 1942 - 22 October 1994) was a Brooklyn, New York-born record producer
and musician who produced dozens of albums between the mid-1960s and early 1990s, including landmark recordings for Blind Faith
, Traffic
, the Plasmatics, Motorhead, The World Bank and Primal Scream
. He was perhaps best known for his lengthy association with the Rolling Stones
, for whom he produced a string of singles and albums that all rank among the most critically and financially successful works of the band's career: Beggars Banquet
(1968), Let It Bleed
(1969), Sticky Fingers
(1971), Exile on Main St.
(1972) and Goats Head Soup
(1973).
" and the follow-up smash "I'm A Man
," which Miller co-wrote with the band's singer-keyboardist, Steve Winwood
.
Miller later co-produced (with Delaney Bramlett
) the hit Delaney & Bonnie album On Tour with Eric Clapton
, recorded live at Croydon
, United Kingdom, on 7 December 1969. MIller went on to work with the Clapton
/Winwood
supergroup Blind Faith
, Delany & Bonnie keyboardist Bobby Whitlock
, Kracker
, the Plasmatics, Motörhead and the UK band Nirvana
. In addition to his production work for yet another Winwood band, Traffic
, Miller also contributed the lyrics to the Traffic song "Medicated Goo."
A drummer
himself, Miller was known for the distinctive drum sound that characterized his productions, especially his work with the Rolling Stones, on whose recordings he occasionally played percussion parts such as the famous opening cowbell on "Honky Tonk Women
" and the full drum kit on "You Can't Always Get What You Want
," "Happy
," "Tumbling Dice
" and "Shine a Light
."
The lyric "I sang my song to Mr Jimmy" in the Rolling Stones' song "You Can't Always Get What You Want," often misinterpreted as an allusion to famed guitarist Jimi Hendrix
, refers to Jimmy Miller. The rest of the line says, "and he said one word to me and that was dead"; at this time the Stones and Miller used "dead" to refer to something they really liked, so when Mick sang the original song idea to Miller, his response was "dead"! Jimmy had been receiving only 1% point for payment and most other producers at the time were getting 3% points. He gave Mick an ultimatum and the took him up on it. Indeed the song seems to be written to and about him. It seems to be their reply to his asking for a raise.
Steve Winwood gave Miller credit for playing the percussive piano
parts in some of Traffic's live shows, particularly those documented on the compilation album
, The Last Traffic Jam.
Miller went on to work with Primal Scream
on their breakthrough album Screamadelica
and William Topley's band The Blessing (Miller appears on their DVD Sugar Train during the song "Soul Love"). In the 1980s, Miller produced some acts including Johnny Thunders
http://roir-usa.com/8248.htm, Matrix and Jo Jo Laine (wife of Denny Lane, on "Moody Blues & Wings"). In 1990 he Co-Produced (along with Phil Greene) "What's in A Name" for Florida band Walk the Chalk.
Among Miller's last productions were three tracks on the 1992 Wedding Present project, Hit Parade 2
. Jimmy also produced four tracks on The World Banks "In Debt Interview" which featured artists such as Billy Preston and Bobby Keys, a rare musical sideline from author Hunter S. Thompson. Jimmy traveled to Woody Creek, Colorado in 1994 to meet with Hunter S. Thompson for a memorable weekend in May shortly before he passed on. He died in October 1994.
entertainment director and the man who booked Elvis Presley
into the International Hotel for his 1969 return to live performance.
Jimmy Miller had a daughter, rock
singer Deena Miller, with Gayle Shepherd, a member of the singing group the Shepherd Sisters. Miller and his second wife, Geri, had a son, Michael (who died at the age of 33). He had a stepson, Steven, a news photographer living in Connecticut. His second wife Geri died of breast cancer
in 1991, three years before Jimmy Miller's own death in Denver, Colorado
, at the age of 52, from liver failure
.
Judith Miller
, a Pulitzer Prize
-winning journalist for the New York Times who spent time in jail for not revealing her sources in the infamous Plame-Wilson CIA affair
, was Jimmy Miller's half-sister.
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
and musician who produced dozens of albums between the mid-1960s and early 1990s, including landmark recordings for Blind Faith
Blind Faith
Blind Faith were an English blues-rock band that consisted of Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker, Steve Winwood and Ric Grech. The band, which was one of the first "super-groups", released their only album, Blind Faith, in August 1969...
, Traffic
Traffic (band)
Traffic were an English rock band whose members came from the West Midlands. The group formed in April 1967 by Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi, Chris Wood and Dave Mason...
, the Plasmatics, Motorhead, The World Bank and Primal Scream
Primal Scream
Primal Scream are a Scottish alternative rock band originally formed in 1982 in Glasgow by Bobby Gillespie and Jim Beattie and now based in London. The current lineup consists of Gillespie, Andrew Innes , Martin Duffy , and Darrin Mooney...
. He was perhaps best known for his lengthy association with the Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
, for whom he produced a string of singles and albums that all rank among the most critically and financially successful works of the band's career: Beggars Banquet
Beggars Banquet
- Personnel :The Rolling Stones* Mick Jagger – lead and backing vocals, harmonica on "Parachute Woman"* Keith Richards – acoustic and electric guitar, bass guitar on "Sympathy for the Devil" and "Street Fighting Man", backing vocals, lead vocals on opening of "Salt of the Earth"* Brian...
(1968), Let It Bleed
Let It Bleed
Let It Bleed is the eighth British and tenth American album by English rock band The Rolling Stones, released in December 1969 by Decca Records in the United Kingdom and London Records in the United States...
(1969), Sticky Fingers
Sticky Fingers
-Personnel:The Rolling Stones*Mick Jagger – lead vocals, acoustic guitar on "Dead Flowers", electric guitar on "Sway", percussion*Keith Richards – electric guitar, six & twelve string acoustic guitar, backing vocals...
(1971), Exile on Main St.
Exile on Main St.
Exile on Main St. is the tenth British and 12th American studio album by English rock band The Rolling Stones. Released as a double LP in May 1972, it draws on many genres including rock and roll, blues, soul, R&B, gospel and country. The release of Exile on Main St. met with mixed reviews, but is...
(1972) and Goats Head Soup
Goats Head Soup
Goats Head Soup is the 11th British and 13th American studio album by The Rolling Stones, released in 1973. It featured the song "Angie", which went to #1 as a single in the US and UK.-Recording:...
(1973).
Professional life
Prior to working with the Rolling Stones, Miller rose to fame by producing successful releases for The Spencer Davis Group including their breakthrough hit "Gimme Some Lovin'Gimme Some Lovin'
"Gimme Some Loving" is a song written by Steve Winwood, Spencer Davis and Muff Winwood, and originally performed by The Spencer Davis Group. The basic riff of the song was borrowed from the Homer Banks song " A Lot of Love", written by Banks and Willie Dean "Deanie" Parker. The song was a UK #2 in...
" and the follow-up smash "I'm A Man
I'm A Man (Spencer Davis Group song)
"I'm a Man" is a song written by Spencer Davis Group singer-songwriter Steve Winwood and record producer Jimmy Miller.-Original version by the Spencer Davis Group:...
," which Miller co-wrote with the band's singer-keyboardist, Steve Winwood
Steve Winwood
Stephen Lawrence "Steve" Winwood is an English international recording artist whose career spans nearly 50 years. He is a songwriter and a musician whose genres include soul music , R&B, rock, blues-rock, pop-rock, and jazz...
.
Miller later co-produced (with Delaney Bramlett
Delaney Bramlett
Delaney Bramlett was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and producer. Bramlett's five decade career reached peaks in creativity, performance, and notoriety in partnership with his then wife Bonnie Bramlett, in a revolving troupe of professional musicians and Rock superstars dubbed Delaney...
) the hit Delaney & Bonnie album On Tour with Eric Clapton
On Tour with Eric Clapton
-Side two:-Disc one:Royal Albert Hall 12/1/69# Intro/Tuning# Opening Jam# Gimme Some Lovin'# Band Introductions# Only You Know And I Know# Medley: Poor Elijah/Tribute To Johnson# Get Ourselves Together# I Don't Know Why...
, recorded live at Croydon
Croydon
Croydon is a town in South London, England, located within the London Borough of Croydon to which it gives its name. It is situated south of Charing Cross...
, United Kingdom, on 7 December 1969. MIller went on to work with the Clapton
Eric Clapton
Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE, is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and...
/Winwood
Steve Winwood
Stephen Lawrence "Steve" Winwood is an English international recording artist whose career spans nearly 50 years. He is a songwriter and a musician whose genres include soul music , R&B, rock, blues-rock, pop-rock, and jazz...
supergroup Blind Faith
Blind Faith
Blind Faith were an English blues-rock band that consisted of Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker, Steve Winwood and Ric Grech. The band, which was one of the first "super-groups", released their only album, Blind Faith, in August 1969...
, Delany & Bonnie keyboardist Bobby Whitlock
Bobby Whitlock
Robert Stanley 'Bobby' Whitlock is a songwriter and performer, best known as a member of Derek and the Dominos.- Biography :...
, Kracker
Kracker
Kracker were an American rock band active in the 1970s.-Biography:The band was originally formed in South Florida in 1970, but moved to Chicago in April 1971, where they were introduced to producer Jimmy Miller. With Miller, they recorded their first album, La Familia, which was released on ABC...
, the Plasmatics, Motörhead and the UK band Nirvana
Nirvana (UK band)
Nirvana were a United Kingdom-based progressive rock band active in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Though the band only achieved limited commercial success, they were acclaimed both by music industry professionals and critics...
. In addition to his production work for yet another Winwood band, Traffic
Traffic (band)
Traffic were an English rock band whose members came from the West Midlands. The group formed in April 1967 by Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi, Chris Wood and Dave Mason...
, Miller also contributed the lyrics to the Traffic song "Medicated Goo."
A drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
himself, Miller was known for the distinctive drum sound that characterized his productions, especially his work with the Rolling Stones, on whose recordings he occasionally played percussion parts such as the famous opening cowbell on "Honky Tonk Women
Honky Tonk Women
"Honky Tonk Women" is a 1969 hit song by The Rolling Stones. Released as a single on 4 July 1969 in the UK and a week later in the US, it topped the charts in both nations.-Inspiration and Recording:...
" and the full drum kit on "You Can't Always Get What You Want
You Can't Always Get What You Want
"You Can't Always Get What You Want" is a song by The Rolling Stones released on their 1969 album Let It Bleed. Written primarily by Mick Jagger with assistance from Keith Richards, it was named as the 100th greatest song of all time by Rolling Stone in its 2004 list of "500 Greatest Songs of All...
," "Happy
Happy (Rolling Stones song)
"Happy" is the tenth track on The Rolling Stones' 1972 album Exile on Main St. Keith Richards sings lead vocals. Released as the second single from the album in July 1972, it reached #22 in the US....
," "Tumbling Dice
Tumbling Dice
"Tumbling Dice" is a rock song written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards for The Rolling Stones' 1972 double album Exile on Main St., and was the album's first single. The single peaked at #7 on the US charts and #5 in the UK....
" and "Shine a Light
Shine a Light (song)
"Shine a Light" is a song featured on British rock and roll band the Rolling Stones' 1972 album Exile on Main St.Although credited to usual Stones writers Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, "Shine a Light" was largely a Jagger composition. He began writing the song in early 1968 when the Stones still...
."
The lyric "I sang my song to Mr Jimmy" in the Rolling Stones' song "You Can't Always Get What You Want," often misinterpreted as an allusion to famed guitarist Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
, refers to Jimmy Miller. The rest of the line says, "and he said one word to me and that was dead"; at this time the Stones and Miller used "dead" to refer to something they really liked, so when Mick sang the original song idea to Miller, his response was "dead"! Jimmy had been receiving only 1% point for payment and most other producers at the time were getting 3% points. He gave Mick an ultimatum and the took him up on it. Indeed the song seems to be written to and about him. It seems to be their reply to his asking for a raise.
Steve Winwood gave Miller credit for playing the percussive piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
parts in some of Traffic's live shows, particularly those documented on the compilation album
Compilation album
A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
, The Last Traffic Jam.
Miller went on to work with Primal Scream
Primal Scream
Primal Scream are a Scottish alternative rock band originally formed in 1982 in Glasgow by Bobby Gillespie and Jim Beattie and now based in London. The current lineup consists of Gillespie, Andrew Innes , Martin Duffy , and Darrin Mooney...
on their breakthrough album Screamadelica
Screamadelica
Screamadelica is the third studio album by the Scottish alternative rock group Primal Scream and was their first to be a commercial success. It was released on 23 September 1991 in the UK by Creation Records, and 8 October 1991 in North America by Sire Records. Screamadelica peaked at #8 on the UK...
and William Topley's band The Blessing (Miller appears on their DVD Sugar Train during the song "Soul Love"). In the 1980s, Miller produced some acts including Johnny Thunders
Johnny Thunders
Johnny Thunders, born John Anthony Genzale, Jr. , was an American protopunk guitarist, singer and songwriter.He came to prominence in the early '70s as a member of the New York Dolls...
http://roir-usa.com/8248.htm, Matrix and Jo Jo Laine (wife of Denny Lane, on "Moody Blues & Wings"). In 1990 he Co-Produced (along with Phil Greene) "What's in A Name" for Florida band Walk the Chalk.
Among Miller's last productions were three tracks on the 1992 Wedding Present project, Hit Parade 2
Hit Parade 2
Hit Parade 2 is a compilation album by The Wedding Present released in January 1993. Having decided to release a limited edition single every month for all of 1992 the group subsequently compiled the songs as two LPs called Hit Parade 1 and Hit Parade 2...
. Jimmy also produced four tracks on The World Banks "In Debt Interview" which featured artists such as Billy Preston and Bobby Keys, a rare musical sideline from author Hunter S. Thompson. Jimmy traveled to Woody Creek, Colorado in 1994 to meet with Hunter S. Thompson for a memorable weekend in May shortly before he passed on. He died in October 1994.
Personal life
Miller's father, Bill, was a Las VegasLas Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
entertainment director and the man who booked Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
into the International Hotel for his 1969 return to live performance.
Jimmy Miller had a daughter, rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
singer Deena Miller, with Gayle Shepherd, a member of the singing group the Shepherd Sisters. Miller and his second wife, Geri, had a son, Michael (who died at the age of 33). He had a stepson, Steven, a news photographer living in Connecticut. His second wife Geri died of breast cancer
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...
in 1991, three years before Jimmy Miller's own death in Denver, Colorado
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
, at the age of 52, from liver failure
Liver failure
Acute liver failure is the appearance of severe complications rapidly after the first signs of liver disease , and indicates that the liver has sustained severe damage . The complications are hepatic encephalopathy and impaired protein synthesis...
.
Judith Miller
Judith Miller (journalist)
Judith Miller is a Pulitzer Prize-winning American journalist, formerly of the New York Times Washington bureau. Her coverage of Iraq's alleged Weapons of Mass Destruction program both before and after the 2003 invasion generated much controversy...
, a Pulitzer Prize
Pulitzer Prize
The Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...
-winning journalist for the New York Times who spent time in jail for not revealing her sources in the infamous Plame-Wilson CIA affair
Plame affair
The Plame Affair involved the identification of Valerie Plame Wilson as a covert Central Intelligence Agency officer. Mrs. Wilson's relationship with the CIA was formerly classified information...
, was Jimmy Miller's half-sister.
Discography (Incomplete)
- See also: :Category:Albums produced by Jimmy Miller
Year Artist Album details 1968 Rolling Stones Beggars Banquet Beggars Banquet- Personnel :The Rolling Stones* Mick Jagger – lead and backing vocals, harmonica on "Parachute Woman"* Keith Richards – acoustic and electric guitar, bass guitar on "Sympathy for the Devil" and "Street Fighting Man", backing vocals, lead vocals on opening of "Salt of the Earth"* Brian...1969 Traffic Traffic (band)Traffic were an English rock band whose members came from the West Midlands. The group formed in April 1967 by Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi, Chris Wood and Dave Mason...Last Exit 1969 Rolling Stones Let It Bleed Let It BleedLet It Bleed is the eighth British and tenth American album by English rock band The Rolling Stones, released in December 1969 by Decca Records in the United Kingdom and London Records in the United States...1969 Blind Faith Blind FaithBlind Faith were an English blues-rock band that consisted of Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker, Steve Winwood and Ric Grech. The band, which was one of the first "super-groups", released their only album, Blind Faith, in August 1969...Blind Faith Blind FaithBlind Faith were an English blues-rock band that consisted of Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker, Steve Winwood and Ric Grech. The band, which was one of the first "super-groups", released their only album, Blind Faith, in August 1969...1970 Ginger Baker's Air Force Ginger Baker's Air ForceGinger Baker's Air Force was a jazz-rock fusion band comprising Ginger Baker on drums, Steve Winwood on organ and vocals, Ric Grech on violin and bass, Jeanette Jacobs on vocals, Denny Laine on guitar and vocals, Phil Seamen on drums, Alan White on drums, Chris Wood on tenor sax and flute, Graham...Ginger Baker's Air Force Ginger Baker's Air Force (album)Ginger Baker's Air Force is the eponymous début album by Ginger Baker's Air Force, released in 1970 .This album is a recording of a sold-out live show at the Royal Albert Hall, on January 15, 1970, with the original 11-piece line up....1971 Rolling Stones Sticky Fingers Sticky Fingers-Personnel:The Rolling Stones*Mick Jagger – lead vocals, acoustic guitar on "Dead Flowers", electric guitar on "Sway", percussion*Keith Richards – electric guitar, six & twelve string acoustic guitar, backing vocals...1972 Rolling Stones Exile on Main Street 1972 Kracker KrackerKracker were an American rock band active in the 1970s.-Biography:The band was originally formed in South Florida in 1970, but moved to Chicago in April 1971, where they were introduced to producer Jimmy Miller. With Miller, they recorded their first album, La Familia, which was released on ABC...La Familia KrackerKracker were an American rock band active in the 1970s.-Biography:The band was originally formed in South Florida in 1970, but moved to Chicago in April 1971, where they were introduced to producer Jimmy Miller. With Miller, they recorded their first album, La Familia, which was released on ABC...1973 Rolling Stones Goats Head Soup Goats Head SoupGoats Head Soup is the 11th British and 13th American studio album by The Rolling Stones, released in 1973. It featured the song "Angie", which went to #1 as a single in the US and UK.-Recording:...1973 Kracker KrackerKracker were an American rock band active in the 1970s.-Biography:The band was originally formed in South Florida in 1970, but moved to Chicago in April 1971, where they were introduced to producer Jimmy Miller. With Miller, they recorded their first album, La Familia, which was released on ABC...Kracker Brand KrackerKracker were an American rock band active in the 1970s.-Biography:The band was originally formed in South Florida in 1970, but moved to Chicago in April 1971, where they were introduced to producer Jimmy Miller. With Miller, they recorded their first album, La Familia, which was released on ABC...1979 Motorhead Overkill Overkill (album)Overkill is the second album released by Motörhead, in 1979, and their first for Bronze Records. It peaked at number 24 on the UK charts.It had a big impact in the British punk culture of that time, paving the way for UK82. Kerrang! magazine listed the album at No...1979 Motorhead Bomber Bomber (album)Bomber is the third studio album by the British heavy metal band Motörhead. It was recorded in 1979, the same year as Overkill. The album reached number 12 on the UK charts and brought some of Motörhead's most popular songs, like "Bomber", "Dead Men Tell No Tales" and "Stone Dead...1991 Primal Scream Primal ScreamPrimal Scream are a Scottish alternative rock band originally formed in 1982 in Glasgow by Bobby Gillespie and Jim Beattie and now based in London. The current lineup consists of Gillespie, Andrew Innes , Martin Duffy , and Darrin Mooney...Screamadelica ScreamadelicaScreamadelica is the third studio album by the Scottish alternative rock group Primal Scream and was their first to be a commercial success. It was released on 23 September 1991 in the UK by Creation Records, and 8 October 1991 in North America by Sire Records. Screamadelica peaked at #8 on the UK...