Gene "Bowlegs" Miller was an Authentic Beale Street Musician who was a trumpeter and band leader. He was born May 27, 1933 and died December 25, 1987.
Miller was on the scene when Beale Street was the real "live" Beale Street playing with such entertainers as Dwight "Gatemouth" Moore, Maurice Hulbert, Jr., and Ma Rainey. He played with the late great bandleaders Tuff Green and Phineas Newborn Sr.
Miller formed his own band in the early 1960s playing regularly at such Memphis Clubs as the Flamingo Room, Club Handy, Currie's Club Tropicana, and later playing at the Rosewood, Club Paradise, and the Manhattan Club.
He has directed, arranged, written produced and played with the nation's most successful entertainers such as the late great Otis Redding, O. V. Wright, Little Jr. Parker, Aretha Franklin, Lou Rawls, Joe Simon, Isaac Hayes, Jerry Butler, B.B. King, Bobby "Blue" Bland, Al Green, Denise LaSalle, Nancy Wilson, Rufus Thomas, Sam & Dave, Onzie Horne, Etta James, Ollie Nightengale, Johnny Nash, James Carr, and Willie Mitchell.
Miller had direct influence on the careers of the nation's most successful musicians. He virtually launched the career of singer Peabo Bryson through aggressive promotion of the artist who first reached record charts with the hit "Reaching for the Sky." One of Miller's discoveries was R&B singer Ann Peebles.
He promoted Sugar Hill Gang and LL Cool J. Also, he entertained many jazz audiences with entertainers such as Julian "Cannonball" and Nat Adderley, Dizzy Gillespie, Nina Simone, Phineas Newborn, Jr., and many others.
Miller was the orchestral leader for WDIA Radio Station Starlight and Goodwill Revues. He also worked as the southern independent record promoter for Island, Atlantic, Arista, and CBS Records of New York. He recorded at Sun Studio, Mercury Studio, Malaco Records and Muscle Shoals.
Miller was a native Memphian and graduate of Booker T. Washington High School. He is still remembered by fellow musicians, wife Frances and son Christopher for his great showmanship and his unquenchable humor – one who brought sunshine to thousands of music lovers.