John Miles Biography – John Miles Wiki
John Miles was a British rock music vocalist, guitarist, and keyboard player best known for his 1976 Top 3 UK hit single Music. He won the Outstanding Musical Achievement award at the 2017 Progressive Music Awards. While still studying at Jarrow Grammar School, he was a member of a local band called The Influence, which also included Paul Thompson, he later became a drummer with Roxy Music and Vic Malcolm, later lead guitarist with Geordie. This outfit released the single I Want to Live (Orange Records, 1969). After this, he formed The John Miles Set before beginning his solo career in 1971.
He signed a recording contract with the Decca UK label in 1975 and issued four albums Rebel (1976), Stranger in the City (1977), Zaragon (1978), and More Miles Per Hour (1979). However, Miles had the most success with singles and released a total of eighteen during this era. In addition to Music, he also charted in the UK with Highfly (1975), Remember Yesterday (1976), and Slow Down (1977). Not long after Music’s release, he was described by Melody Maker as “the brightest, freshest force in British rock.” Most of his songs were co-written with the bassist in his backing group, Bob Marshall.
At the peak of his success, in 1976 and 1977, he made several appearances on the weekly pop TV show Supersonic. The first album did receive some attention in the US. Two singles from the debut album reached the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, Highfly peaked at No. 68, followed by Music which stalled at No. 88. Slow Down was his biggest US chart hit, peaking at No. 2 on the disco chart, and at No. 34 on the Billboard Hot 100 in June 1977. It was later featured in the 1979 film Players, starring Ali MacGraw and Dean Paul Martin. The relative success in the US charts leads to Miles supporting Elton John on his tour.
From 1985, he took part almost every year in the Night of the Proms, a series of concerts held yearly in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, Poland, Denmark, and the United States. Regularly there were also shows in Spain, France, Austria, Switzerland, and Sweden. The concerts consist of a combination of pop music and popular classical music (often combined) and various well-known musicians and groups usually participate. Miles always performs Music and also sings other songs. In 2009, the album The Best of John Miles at the Night of the Proms was released, which included Music and cover versions including All by Myself, Bohemian Rhapsody, and It Was a Very Good Year.
He also toured with Tina Turner since 1987, playing keyboards, guitar, and supporting vocals on every one of her tours, and played on several of her albums. He also featured on Jimmy Page’s 1988 album Outrider and subsequent tour (his wide-ranging vocals allowed him to cover both Robert Plant and Paul Rodgers from Page’s two previous bands), and played Hammond organ on Joe Cocker’s album Night Calls (1992). In 1990, he participated in the UK heat of A Song for Europe with the song Where I Belong, which came second.
Miles was also a frequent guest vocalist on albums by The Alan Parsons Project, being featured on Tales of Mystery and Imagination (1976), Pyramid (1978), Stereotomy (1985), and Gaudi (1987), as well as on the Eric Woolfson album Freudiana (1990). His first DVD, John Miles – Live in Concert was released in 2002. In 2007, he performed in Gelsenkirchen, Germany with the German band Pur and sang two songs. One of those songs, Abenteuerland, Miles sang with Pur in German. The concert is available on the DVD, Pur-Friends-Live-Schalke-2007. In October 2008, he started touring once again with Tina Turner until May 2009. In 2017, he was awarded an outstanding contribution to music award at the Progressive Rock awards.
John Miles Age
He was born John Errington on April 23, 1949, in Jarrow, County Durham, England but grew up in the neighboring town of Hebburn. He died on December 5, 2021, in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. He was 72 years.
John Miles Wife
He was married to his wife, Eileen. They had been married for almost 50 years and had two children together.
John Miles Children
He had two children, one of them being his son, John Miles Jr., who is also a musician. He was born in London, he played with bands including Milk Inc., Sylver, The Urge, and Fixate. He is also survived by two grandchildren.
John Miles Death
He died after a short illness on December 5, 2021, at the age of 72. His family confirmed his death with a statement that read: “We are devastated to have to announce that ‘Mr. Music’, John Miles sadly passed away peacefully after a very short illness. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather and we will all miss him more than any words could ever express. We kindly ask you to respect our privacy at this extremely difficult time. He will live on forever in our hearts and with the wonderful musical legacy, he has left behind. You were our first love and will be our last. Our Husband, Father, Grandfather, and hero. We Love you. Xxx”
John’s manager, Cliff Cooper also added: “The UK has lost one of its most talented musicians. John famous for his worldwide hit “Music was my first love and it will be my last” died peacefully in his sleep with his family at his bedside. John played alongside a plethora of artists from Tina Turner, Jimmy Page, Joe Cocker to Andre Botticelli amongst many others. As John’s manager and friend for over 50 years, John was not only so kind and gentle but a brilliant musician and songwriter on the world stage. John leaves behind his wife Eileen married 50 years, two children, and two grandchildren.”
“Grief is the price we pay for love. He will be greatly missed, but his music will live on forever. “He added.
John Miles Cause of Death
He died after a brief illness on December 5, 2021, at the age of 72.
