Biography of Buddy Miles

Powerful trapsman whose resume lists stints with both Jimi Hendrix's Band of Gypsys and the fictional California Raisins. After creating the Band of Gypsies with Hendrix, Miles joined Mike Bloomfield's ambitious Electric Flag in 1967. His association with flamboyant guitar genius Hendrix spanned 1969-80. Miles broke out as a vocalist in 1970 with the soulful "Them Changes" on Mercury, his best-known hit. The explosive drummer has tried to establish himself on the Chicago blues scene of late with a thundering rock/funk mixture, and continued performing throughout the 1990s, issuing Miles Away from Home in 1998. ~ Bill Dahl