\"It is with tremendous sadness that we must share with all Buddy\'s fans around the world that Buddy passed away peacefully and quietly at his home last night (Tuesday, February 26, 2008) in Austin, Texas surrounded by his family. Buddy will be greatly missed as a wonderful person and as a truly gifted musician who gave so much to so many through the years.

The family ask for your prayers and that you respect their privacy. A tribute show will be announced within a short period of time and all are welcome to come and share in the magic that was Buddy Miles.

Fans, friends and family will all join in a celebration of the life and music of this talented and big hearted musician, so we hope everyone can be a part of this fond farewell.\"

Buddy Miles
Buddy started in music at age 11 performing with his fathers band \"The Bebops\" and played for the jazz-influenced combo for several years before moving on to play for The Delfonics, The Ink Spots and Wilson Pickett.

Buddy is a Co-founding father of fusion rock with the band Electric Flag. He also Co-founded the legendary Band of Gypsys with Jimi Hendrix and Billy Cox.

Buddy recorded the California Raisins commercial featuring claymation dancing raisins. It\'s the most successful commercial in television history! Buddy recorded and producedand performed in 3 more California Raisins albums.

Buddy produced and performed in a series of commercials for Caribbean Kiss, Cadillac and Harley Davison just to name a few. Currently Buddy Miles is touring the USA, helping to raise money for several organizations and sponsors that support Hurricane / Disaster Relief efforts and The Children\'s Craniofacial Association.

\"\"Twenty years ago, before Living Color and the Black Rock Coalition, there was Buddy Miles and his Visceral Hard Soul....Hell And Back may be an apt description of where he\'s been, but Buddy uses it all as inspiration for this diverse record of behind the best fatback funk and hard R&B jamming.\"
- Modern Drummer\"

Lawyer and friend Geoffrey Menin wrote a personal statement for Buddy, which is published on Miles\' official web site.

\"Born in Omaha in 1947, Buddy was a child prodigy, initially playing drums with his father George,Sr.\'s band The Bebops. His nickname – given to him by his aunt - came from his tremendous love for his idol, Buddy Rich (they once played on stage together). He played in a variety of bands as a teenager including the Ink Spots and the Delfonics; at 14 years old, he played with Wilson Pickett. In 1967, together with Mike Bloomfield, he founded the Electric Flag, one of the first, if not the first, mixed race electric blues bands. With Bloomfield\'s searing guitar licks and the high wail of a terrific horn section, the Flag was a raving celebration, especially with Buddy\'s voice ringing o\'er the top. After only two albums, the group broke up and Buddy formed the infamous Buddy Miles Express. Soon thereafter, Buddy began his legendary collaboration with Jimi Hendrix, participating in the famous Electric Ladyland sessions on \"Rainy Day, Dream Away\" and \"Still Raining, Still Dreaming,\" and taking his place with Billy Cox in the all-black, short-lived but extremely influential Band of Gypsys. Their classic Live at the Fillmore East recording from New Years\' Eve 1969/70 – in its initial release – featured a spot where Hendrix broke a guitar string, and during the 5 or so minutes it took Jimi to replace the string, Buddy carried on singing an improvised solo (replete with mouth-made wah-wah sounds) over the bass and drums until Hendrix slyly slipped back in the mix. The moment bears testimony to Buddy\'s capacity to carry the band himself with an energy which was all his own. This live session also feat red an early version of \"Them Changes,\" a composition recorded and played by countless artists over time, which has safely entered the pantheon of rock music.

Buddy went on famously to work with Carlos Santana, John McLaughlin and many others and he was the voice on the best-selling California Raisins albums (and commercials) including a wondrous version of \"I Heard it Through the Grapevine.\"

I met Buddy Miles in the lobby of a hotel in Paris about 18 years ago. He had a way of speaking which was totally unique – although it was not always linear, it was always brilliant and rhythmic and it always made sense if you listened carefully. I had the opportunity to play with him at that time at the legendary New Morning club, and we became close friends and allies.

No drummer could lay down a fatter pocket. I was proud to be his attorney-in-life. Buddy husbanded a strong creative spark and he consistently had ideas for new and different projects, right up to his end. He was a cat with more than nine lives. He always defied the odds and surprised everyone around him – his spirit was indefatigable. His performance with Stanley Jordan at our wedding on \"Little Wing\" holding Sophie\'s hand was as great a gift as one could ever receive. He could call up and sing you \"Happy Birthday\" and have you laughing and crying at the same time within seconds. His voice was as sweet as honey from heaven.

Buddy passed with loved ones holding his hands. Only two nights ago, I had the chance to phone him from Madison Square Garden so he and Sherrilae could hear Winwood and Clapton as they laid down yet another version of his song, Them Changes to thunderous acclaim. As his niece said when I was in Austin recently: \"Uncle Buddy, you\'re not from this planet. Your people put you here, and now they\'re coming to take you back home.\" I think she was right. I think he\'s at peace now that he\'s home. Surely he left us with many treasures evidencing his visit to earth. We will miss him dearly.\"