Who Was Buddy Miles?

By Selena Flores

Some concerts entertain. Some make you feel like you’re witnessing musical history being written before your eyes. But every so often, you get a show that transports you into the very heart of the music itself, wrapping you in a groove that feels timeless. That’s what happened when Detroit’s finest guitar players gathered to pay tribute to the one and only Buddy Miles for the 2nd annual “For the Love of Buddy Miles” show.

Buddy, a multi-talented triple threat, wasn’t just a drummer, vocalist, and guitarist. He was a force of nature in the music world, a man whose influence spread across rock, blues, funk, and soul. Though he’s most famous for his work with Jimi Hendrix’s Band of Gypsys, Buddy’s career spanned over a dozen albums. It also spanned over countless collaborations, and unforgettable live performances. He jammed with legends like Carlos Santana, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jeff Beck, Buddy Guy, Mike Bloomfield, and Bootsy Collins. His signature song, “Them Changes,” remains a staple in the music world today.

But it wasn’t just the musicians he played with that defined Buddy’s career—it was his ability to seamlessly blend genres, to make every note a story. From legendary live performances to even voicing the California Raisins in Claymation form, Buddy Miles was, and still is, a man who played by his own rules.

Opening Act: Mark Kassa and Slight Return Bring the Heat

Before the all-star band took the stage, Mark Kassa and his band Slight Return set the tone with an electrifying opening performance. From the first few notes of “Don’t Stop Me Now,” you could feel the energy shift in the room. It was pure, raw blues with a touch of funk that had the crowd moving and grooving immediately. The bass riff was infectious—one of those grooves that gets stuck in your head for days, and the opening guitar riff? Badass. It set the stage for a night of musical excellence.

As the set went on, Slight Return didn’t hold back. By the second song, Kassa was already breaking guitar strings—a testament to the intensity of his performance. The whole band was on fire, and the crowd felt it. They also treated us to a multimedia experience, with slideshows and images flashing on the screen behind them, showcasing photos from their career, including Kassa’s appearances on The Jay Leno Show and his unexpected fame from the MyJones soda bottles. The whole set had a funky, bluesy vibe—think of a heavier, more electric version of Stevie Ray Vaughan, and you’ve got the essence of their sound.

The band’s closing number, “Welcome to the D,” wrapped up the opening act perfectly. It had another infectious bass riff that perfectly captured the Detroit energy—loud, proud, and unapologetically funky. The crowd was ready, and they were more than just warmed up for the next part of the night—they were ready for a journey through musical history.

The All-Star Tribute: Legends Collide

After a strong opening, it was time for the All-Star Tribute Band to take the stage. And let me tell you, this wasn’t just a tribute show—it was a musical celebration of Buddy Miles’ vast influence on the world of music. Featuring a star-studded lineup of Dennis Chambers, Bernard Purdie, Tony Lindsay (Santana), Derek St. Holmes (Ted Nugent), Peter Keys (Lynyrd Skynyrd), Juma Sultan (Buddy Miles/Jimi Hendrix), and Kenny Olson (Kid Rock), the performance was a dream for any fan of rock, funk, or soul. The moment they hit the stage, you knew you were in for something special.

The opening of the tribute set was nothing short of explosive, with brass-heavy arrangements that immediately grabbed your attention. The music felt like it was pulsing through the very walls, shaking the air with its rhythm. The musicians were clearly having fun, and the energy was infectious. This wasn’t just a gig—it was a celebration of Buddy Miles’ entire career, from his work with Hendrix to his funk and soul influences.

Kenny Olson (former guitarist for Kid Rock)
Photo by Selena Flores

One of the standout tracks of the night was “I’ve Got Dreams to Remember.” The band absolutely nailed it—capturing the groove and soul that Buddy himself would have been proud of. But then, something unexpected happened. The crowd went wild as the band launched into a cover of “I Heard It Through the Grapevine”—a song that instantly took us all back to the fun, funky world of the California Raisins. It was a surprise, a moment of pure joy, and it made everyone in the audience smile. It was clear that the musicians on stage weren’t just paying tribute to Buddy—they were celebrating him.

Jams, Grooves, and Drum-Offs

One of the most magical parts of the night came when the musicians let loose—without the constraints of any one song, the band got into a serious groove, and the jamming began. The electric guitars were wailing, the horns were blaring, and the drums—oh, the drums—were creating rhythms that reverberated through the entire venue. But it wasn’t just a jam session—it was a musical conversation, one that spoke the language of blues, rock, and funk.

There was one moment in particular that had the crowd on the edge of their seats: a drum-off between two of the most legendary drummers in the game, Bernard Purdie and Dennis Chambers. With nothing but their drums and their unmatched skill, these two musicians locked in a rhythmic battle that left the crowd speechless. It was pure magic. Watching them go back and forth, feeding off each other’s energy, was like watching two great painters collaborate on a masterpiece in real-time. It wasn’t just impressive—it was jaw-dropping. I’m pretty sure I wasn’t the only one whose purse vibrated with every beat.

It wasn’t all about the drums, though. The guitar riffs were smoking, the horn section was on fire, and the basslines kept the groove flowing like an unstoppable river. The musicians were so in sync, it felt like we were witnessing a once-in-a-lifetime jam session between friends who’d played together for decades. But these weren’t just friends. These people were living legends. They each one bringing their own style to the table and creating something greater than the sum of its parts.

A Fitting Tribute to Buddy

Other cover songs included Santana’s “Black Magic Woman” and Jimi Hendrix’s *“Machine Gun”. Both songs were performed with such passion and intensity that you couldn’t help but feel transported to a different time. But it was more than just the songs themselves. It was the way these musicians reinterpreted them. Every note, every solo, felt like a tribute to Buddy and his ability to constantly evolve and push boundaries.

As the final song came to an end, the lights dimmed, and images of Buddy Miles flashed across the giant screen behind the band. The audience cheered, but it wasn’t just for the performance—they were cheering for the man who brought it all together. The screen showed Buddy in all his glory, his larger-than-life presence still felt by everyone in the room.

In the end…

The musicians took their bows, but the night was far from over. As the crowd continued to cheer, it was clear that Buddy Miles’ spirit wasn’t just in the notes of the music. It was in the hearts of every musician on stage and every fan in the audience. His legacy isn’t just alive. It’s thriving.

In that moment, it wasn’t just another tribute show. It was a musical awakening, a celebration of a man whose groove, influence, and music will never stop. For anyone lucky enough to be there, it was an unforgettable night. It was a funky, soulful, and electrifying journey through the music that defined an era. Buddy Miles, this one’s for you.