Steven Haworth Miller (born October 5, 1943) is an American musician. He is the frontman, principal songwriter, lead singer, lead guitarist and only continuous member of the Steve Miller Band, which he founded in 1966. He began his career in blues and blues rock and evolved to a more pop-oriented arena rock sound during the mid-1970s through the early 1980s, releasing popular singles and albums. Miller was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016.

Early years

Born in Milwaukee, Miller received his first exposure to music from his mother Bertha, whom he described as a remarkable jazz-influenced singer, and his physician father George ("Sonny") who, in addition to his profession as a pathologist, was a jazz enthusiast and an accomplished amateur recording engineer.

Guitar virtuoso Les Paul and his musical partner Mary Ford were regular visitors at the Miller house. The Millers were the best man and matron of honor at the December 1949 Paul/Ford wedding, and Paul became Steve's godfather. Les Paul heard six-year-old Steve on a wire recording made by his father. The boy was "banging away" on a guitar given to him by his uncle, K. Dale Atterbury. Paul encouraged Miller to continue with his interest in the guitar... and "perhaps he will be something one day."

In 1950, the family relocated to Dallas. Many distinguished musicians came to their house to record, and Steve absorbed much from "greats" such as T-Bone Walker, Charles Mingus, and Tal Farlow. Walker taught Steve how to play his guitar behind his back and with his teeth.

In 1955, Steve began attending St. Mark's School in Dallas, a non-denominational boys' preparatory day school where he formed his first band, The Marksmen. He taught his older brother Buddy how to play electric bass and instructed his classmate Boz Scaggs on guitar chords so Scaggs could join the band. After leaving St. Mark's—"I got kicked out", Miller recalled later—he attended a school in the Lakewood area of Dallas, Woodrow Wilson High School, where he graduated in 1961.

In 1961, Miller returned to Wisconsin, and entered the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he formed The Ardells. Scaggs joined the Ardells the next year, and Ben Sidran became the band's keyboardist in the following year. After attending the University of Copenhagen in Denmark for a semester in his senior year to study comparative literature, Boz Scaggs rejoined Miller for this album and the next one, before starting his solo career.

The group followed the release of their second album, Sailor, with Brave New World, Your Saving Grace, and Number 5. These albums performed respectably on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart but failed to yield a major hit single. The highest single was "Livin' in the USA" from Sailor. Songs from this period are featured in a portion of the double album compilation Anthology, which includes a guest appearance on bass guitar, drums, and backing vocals by Paul McCartney (as Paul Ramon) on "Celebration Song" and "My Dark Hour".

Miller established his persona of the "Gangster of Love" (from Sailor) oriented and simpler in composition. The album received significant radio airplay, which helped the title track reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The single hit No 1 on the UK Singles Chart in September 1990 after it was used for a television commercial. Let Your Hair Down, a companion release to Bingo!, was released 10 months later (on April 18, 2011).

For the 2010–11 academic year, Miller was an Artist in Residence at the USC Thornton School of Music, where he taught students in the Popular Music and Music Industry programs.

At a guitar auction in 2011, Miller said that he owned 450 guitars.

In 2016, Miller was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The ceremony caused controversy because of Miller's disparaging remarks about the experience being "unpleasant," saying that the Hall of Fame was misogynistic and ignoring the "need to respect the artists they say they're honoring, which they don't." His speech that night only hinted at his anger, congenially thanking the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame "for all of your hard work on behalf of all musicians," but adding, "and I encourage you to keep expanding your vision, to be more inclusive of women and to be more transparent in your dealings with the public, and most importantly, to do much more to provide music in our schools."

Miller himself said part of his angry behavior that evening was because the Hall vetoed his proposal to be inducted by Elton John, as he "knows me and probably knows my music better than most people", and its controlling aspects such as the licensing contracts. The Black Keys, who were asked to induct Miller and accepted, having been long-time fans, later stated that they regretted the experience. Dan Auerbach said that for him and Patrick Carney, the unpleasant experience was being around Miller, as he had no idea who the band was and did not care. Auerbach and Carney left the ceremony as soon as they finished their speech, instead of staying for the entire event.

In 2025, the Steve Miller Band was featured in "It's Time" on Nas' and DJ Premier's album Light-Years.

Legacy and influence

In May 2024, Eminem released the single "Houdini", which prominently samples Steve Miller Band's 1982 hit "Abracadabra". Steve Miller praised Eminem for the sample, expressing honor and appreciation for the respectful use of his music.

Personal life

Miller has been married four times. His current wife is Janice Ginsberg Miller. From 1976 to 1986, Miller owned the Lippincott-Wagner House and a ranch in the hamlet of Williams, Oregon. In 2015, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Miller is a member of the Bohemian Club.

Discography

  • Children of the Future (April 1968)
  • Sailor (October 1968 - reissued as Living In The U.S.A. in 1973)
  • Brave New World (June 1969)
  • Your Saving Grace (November 1969)
  • Number 5 (July 1970)
  • Rock Love (October 1971)
  • Recall the Beginning...A Journey from Eden (March 1972)
  • Anthology (October 1972) [Compilation]
  • The Joker (October 1973)
  • Fly Like an Eagle (May 1976)
  • Book of Dreams (May 1977)
  • Greatest Hits (1974-1978) (November 1978) [Compilation]
  • Circle of Love (October 1981)
  • Abracadabra (June 1982)
  • Steve Miller Band Live! (April 1983)
  • Italian X-Rays (November 1984)
  • Living in the 20th Century (November 1986)
  • Born 2B Blue (September 1988) [Solo album]
  • The Very Best of the Steve Miller Band (1991) [Compilation]
  • Wide River (July 1993)
  • Young Hearts (2003) [Compilation]
  • Bingo! (2010)