Top singles from the past
12 January 2024
Milwaukee-born singer/songwriter STEVE MILLER hit the top spot of the US singles
chart 50 years ago today, on 12 January 1974 with THE JOKER. The title track of his
eighth, eponymous album.
“Cause I’m a picker / I’m a grinner / I’m a lover / And I’m a sinner /
I play my music in the sun / I’m a joker / I’m a smoker / I’m a midnight toker /
I sure don’t want to hurt no one”
Superb live version.
Still flying like an eagle.
at that time i was a uniformed security guard [unarmed – this was 50 years ago] in a ruling-class jewelry store in boston – firestone & parsons, to be precise – they are still in business, although their current location is about a block away from their location then
steve miller came in one morning, asking for a particular brand of watch – yes, we have that, the saleswoman said – he asked about a model suitable for skindiving – we can get that for you, was the reply, but we don’t have it in stock – he said, sorry, i’m just in town temporarily, said goodbye, and turned to go
at this point i stepped up and said – pardon me sir, are you steve miller? he said he was and asked my name – we shook hands cordially – i said i had a number of his records – we wished each other well, and he left
the staff asked who he was and a couple recognized “the joker” song when i quoted it
later, describing the interaction, they said “the guard freaked him out” when i recognized him – that wasn’t the way i saw it – he was friendly and gracious