Jerry Miller, guitarist and founding member of ’60s San Francisco scene psych-rock greats Moby Grape, died on Sunday at age 81. No cause of death was given.
Born July 10, 1943 in Tacoma, Miller began playing guitar in local groups by the late-’50s, was friends with Jimi Hendrix, and played on an early version of Bobby Fuller’s classic “I Fought the Law.” He formed The Frantics with drummer Don Stevenson and, after meeting Jerry Garcia, relocated the band to San Francisco. It was there Miller and Stevenson met bassist Bob Mosley, and with the addition of former Jefferson Airplane member Skip Spence and Peter Lewis — making this a three-guitarist group — Moby Grape were born.
The San Francisco scene was very hot and the band ended up the subject of a bidding war. Columbia Records signed them and Moby Grape’s self-titled debut album was released June 6, 1967 and featured the minor hits “Omaha” and “Hey Grandma” which were two of five singles from the album that were all released on the same day. The album came in at #22 on our list of The 50 Greatest Albums of the Summer of Love.
The original lineup of the band only made one more record together, 1968’s Wow/Grape Jam, and Moby Grape would break up after releasing two ore albums the next year, though versions of the band, all with Miller, would reform over the years, including for new studio albums in 1971, 1984, and 1989. Miller also formed The Rhythm Dukes with Stevenson (1969-1971) and led his own solo band.
In 2003, Rolling Stone named Miller one of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time.
Rest in peace, Jerry.