Steve Miller is yet another 2016 Rock & Roll Hal of Fame inductee who waited more than two decades for the privilege. First eligible in 1994, Miller made it into the Hall in one try once nominated. Though he performed with The Steve Miller Band for the duration of his career, he was inducted as a solo artist.
Miller raised hell in the press room after his induction ceremony, calling out the Rock Hall for its pettiness and lack of respect for artists. He said the Hall offered him two tickets to the ceremony, for him and his wife, and charged $10,000 for any additional seats (including for bandmates performing with him on the show).
He also indicted the Hall for its lack of transparency and the dearth of women among its inductees. Valid points, both.
As for the music, Miller seems like a no-brainer for inclusion in the Hall. After spending the late 60s and early 70s releasing psychedelic blues, he and the band shifted toward a more mainstream sound and put out a series of smooth rock classics.
I had a ball breezing through Miller’s biggest hits, including ‘The Joker,’ ‘Rock’n Me,’ ‘Fly Like and Eagle,’ ‘Jet Airliner’ ‘Take the Money and Run’ and ‘Abracadabra.’
Given the Rock Hall’s shortcomings, I’m glad Miller bit the hand that fed him, but I’m also glad they fed him in the first place.
Well, I’ve been lookin’ real hard
And I’m tryin’ to find a job
But it just keeps gettin’ tougher every day
But I got to do my part, cause I know in my heart
I got to please my sweet baby, yeah
[Verse 2]
Well, I ain’t superstitious
And I don’t get suspicious
But my woman is a friend of mine
And I know that it’s true that all the things that I do
Will come back to me in my sweet time
[Chorus]
So keep on rock’n me, baby
Keep on-a rock’n me, baby
Keep on-a rock’n me, baby
Keep on-a rock’n me, baby
[Verse 3]
I went from Phoenix, Arizona
All the way to Tacoma
Philadelphia, Atlanta, L.A
Northern California, where the girls are warm
So I could be with my sweet baby, yeah
[Chorus]
Keep on-a rock’n me, baby
Keep on-a rock’n me, baby
Keep on-a rock’n me, baby
Keep on-a rock’n me, baby
Baby, baby, baby
[Bridge]
Keep on rock’n
Rock’n me, baby
Keep on-a rock’n
Rock’n me, baby
Ooh yeah
[Verse 4]
Don’t get suspicious
Now, don’t be suspicious
Babe, you know you are a friend of mine
And you know that it’s true
That all the things that I do
Are gonna come back to you in your sweet time
[Verse 3]
I went from Phoenix, Arizona
All the way to Tacoma
Philadelphia, Atlanta, L.A
Northern California, where the girls are warm
So I could hear my sweet baby say
[Chorus]
Keep on-a rock’n me, baby
Keep on-a rock’n me, baby
Keep on-a rock’n me, baby
Keep on-a rock’n me
Rock’n me, rock’n
Baby, baby, baby
[Chorus]
Keep on rock’n me, baby
Keep on-a rock’n me, baby
Keep on-a rock’n me, baby
Keep on-a rock’n me, baby
Meet Me In Montauk 
Why would they induct him as a solo artist if he always performed with his band? Glad they finally rectified that error, especially after being scolded by Miller himself. With the recent focus on the diversity or lack thereof of the voting bodies of the various “academies,” I’m surprised we haven’t heard or read more about these sort of institutions that are the gatekeepers of halls of fame.
I believe the band members changed often enough that the Hall didn’t believe any of them were a constant enough presence to warrant admission.
I heard Miller on the Howard Stern Show discussing his experience with the Rock Hall. I felt he came off a bit pretentious in the interview, but his points were still valid, and I do like his (their) sound.