Jerry Miller, a pivotal figure in the 1960s San Francisco music scene and founding member of Moby Grape, has passed away. Miller died on Saturday night in Tacoma, Washington, at the age of 81. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
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The news of Miller’s death was initially announced on the Moby Grape Facebook fan page and confirmed by journalist Eric Brenner.
“Sadly, Jerry Miller passed away last night,” the fan page post began. They then pointed out that his partner asked for privacy. “Jo and the family are asking for everyone to please give them some privacy and respect, and Jo asked that people cease phone calls for the time being. Thank you.”
Members of the group also shared text messages from Jo, who urged them to “flood the Ether with Jerry Miller’s music” and “play it all day long for both of us.”
Miller launched his career in the late 1950s, performing and recording with prominent Northwest dance-rock bands. He lent his guitar talents to an early rendition of the hit song I Fought the Law by The Bobby Fuller Four and subsequently toured with Fuller.
Jerry Miller Helped Assemble Moby Grape in 1966
Moby Grape was formed in San Francisco in 1966, with Miller serving as the lead guitarist in the three-guitar lineup. The band signed with Columbia Records and released four albums under the label between 1967 and 1969.
Miller and Don Stevenson co-wrote three of Moby Grape’s most renowned songs: “Hey Grandma,” “8:05,” and “Murder in My Heart for the Judge.”
“Hey Grandma” became part of broader pop culture. It was featured in the soundtrack of the 2005 film The Interpreter, starring Nicole Kidman.
Moby Grape toured extensively across the U.S. and Europe before disbanding in 1970. The members reunited for an album in 1971 and continued to play and record sporadically in various lineups. Their final album, “Legendary Grape,” was released in 1989 in limited quantities on cassette tape. It was later remastered for a 2003 re-release on compact disc.
After Moby Grape, Miller formed The Rhythm Dukes, collaborating with organist Bill Champlin.
Miller was highly regarded by peers. Eric Clapton reportedly hailed him as the “best guitar player in the world”. Meanwhile, Robert Plant cited him as a key influence for Led Zeppelin.