Recently several expressed shock learning of the passing of Gary Miller. No one seemed to have any details. I was determined and searched for Jon Stocklin who I found in Naples, FL. Jon will not be attending the reunion so those interested can learn what I've discovered here:
From Jon Stocklin: Gary Miller moved to The Cross Roads in Clarksdale, MS with all of his record and blues associated items that he'd been collecting his whole life. In a way blues was the major part of Garys life. In the early 60's Gary and I used to drive down to Chicago to hear Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, the Howlin Wolf and others. We went places that were in all black areas of the city; Curleys on west Madison and Sylvios on Lake St. The doormen would call the owners who would ask us "What are you white boys doing here?" and Gary would tell them we've come to hear the blues, we're going to be bluesmen, and theyd let us stay and protect us. As you might know, The CrossRoads, in Clarksdale, MS is world famous as the place Robert Johnson met the Devil and that's where Gary opened his record store. Besides the store he had a Web Site dedicated to both new players and The Traveling Masters. He started traveling the country attending Blues festivals and reviewing performances and interviewing the stars and players. His web site was called BLUES SOURCE - It became very popular and as editor and publisher he soon found himself anchored to Clarksdale doing production and had a staff that traveled the festival circuit doing the reviews, interviews and photography. In mid December, 2011, I got a call from the bass player from Gary's and my band from Carbondale Ill, at SIU. He said Jeremiah, our keyboadist, had just died of a heart attack. and so I called Gary and told him that Jeremiah had just passed. We talked for awhile and at some point he said he wasn't feeling so good. He described what was going on and I told him to go to the emergency room ASAP. He said maybe later. I got a call from a mutual friend saying Gary had collapsed and been transported. We stayed in touch through a friend of his who confirmed hed had a heart attack. slipped into a coma and 2 days later died due to complications. Gary Miller passed away Dec 17 2011. He was my life long friend and will be missed by many. - Jon
Jon: I hear your emotions in the telling of these events. Gary was always special and a dear friend. I'd lost track of Gary over the years as I have you. Still through his website I was able to follow him some. Jim Prosen told me he spoke with Gary a few years ago. I took Gary's number but never was able to contact. I am also surprised to learn of Jeremiah, you may recall I knew him as well. Can we ever forget the night on the steps of the Planetarium in Chicago for Jeremiah's second marriage, and; onward that night to the Aragon when you played on the Bill with Pink Floyd? Ten years ago I assumed the task of eulogizing Bob Bennett at our class 40 year reunion. I'm not know to collapse but I choked up badly giving that tribute to such a close friend. I appreciate you taking the time and effort informing me of Gary's passing and his history. We all knew what music meant to Gary and respected him for it. Please stay well my friend and should you not attend the upcoming reunion I ask your permission to read your eulogy to the class. Personally I would prefer you be there to tell it as only you can. warm regards, Mike
Michael Marshall
Recently several expressed shock learning of the passing of Gary Miller. No one seemed to have any details. I was determined and searched for Jon Stocklin who I found in Naples, FL. Jon will not be attending the reunion so those interested can learn what I've discovered here:
From Jon Stocklin: Gary Miller moved to The Cross Roads in Clarksdale, MS with all of his record and blues associated items that he'd been collecting his whole life. In a way blues was the major part of Garys life. In the early 60's Gary and I used to drive down to Chicago to hear Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, the Howlin Wolf and others. We went places that were in all black areas of the city; Curleys on west Madison and Sylvios on Lake St. The doormen would call the owners who would ask us "What are you white boys doing here?" and Gary would tell them we've come to hear the blues, we're going to be bluesmen, and theyd let us stay and protect us. As you might know, The CrossRoads, in Clarksdale, MS is world famous as the place Robert Johnson met the Devil and that's where Gary opened his record store. Besides the store he had a Web Site dedicated to both new players and The Traveling Masters. He started traveling the country attending Blues festivals and reviewing performances and interviewing the stars and players. His web site was called BLUES SOURCE - It became very popular and as editor and publisher he soon found himself anchored to Clarksdale doing production and had a staff that traveled the festival circuit doing the reviews, interviews and photography. In mid December, 2011, I got a call from the bass player from Gary's and my band from Carbondale Ill, at SIU. He said Jeremiah, our keyboadist, had just died of a heart attack. and so I called Gary and told him that Jeremiah had just passed. We talked for awhile and at some point he said he wasn't feeling so good. He described what was going on and I told him to go to the emergency room ASAP. He said maybe later. I got a call from a mutual friend saying Gary had collapsed and been transported. We stayed in touch through a friend of his who confirmed hed had a heart attack. slipped into a coma and 2 days later died due to complications. Gary Miller passed away Dec 17 2011. He was my life long friend and will be missed by many. - Jon
Jon: I hear your emotions in the telling of these events. Gary was always special and a dear friend. I'd lost track of Gary over the years as I have you. Still through his website I was able to follow him some. Jim Prosen told me he spoke with Gary a few years ago. I took Gary's number but never was able to contact. I am also surprised to learn of Jeremiah, you may recall I knew him as well. Can we ever forget the night on the steps of the Planetarium in Chicago for Jeremiah's second marriage, and; onward that night to the Aragon when you played on the Bill with Pink Floyd? Ten years ago I assumed the task of eulogizing Bob Bennett at our class 40 year reunion. I'm not know to collapse but I choked up badly giving that tribute to such a close friend. I appreciate you taking the time and effort informing me of Gary's passing and his history. We all knew what music meant to Gary and respected him for it. Please stay well my friend and should you not attend the upcoming reunion I ask your permission to read your eulogy to the class. Personally I would prefer you be there to tell it as only you can. warm regards, Mike