Frankie Miller

Frankie Miller is a Scottish blues-rock and blue-eyed-soul singer who released seven albums between 1972 and 1980 on Chrysalis, followed by two albums on Capitol and Vertigo. He charted with the singles “Be Good to Yourself” and “Love Letters” from his 1977 fourth album Full House and scored a multi-national Top 10 with his 1978 single “Darlin’.”

Early Life, Activity

He was born Francis John Miller on November 2, 1949, in Bridgeton, Glasgow, Scotland, and raised with his two older sisters on Colvend St. As the maternal grandson of famed 1900s footballer Archie Kyle, young Frankie took to the sport for the Harmony Row Boys Club.

Miller’s earliest exposure to rock and R&B came from his mother, a Ray Charles fan, and his sisters, who introduced him to Little Richard. He connected with Richard’s onstage aggression, realizing that he too could use R&B and soul music as vehicles for self-expression. At age nine, he got his first guitar and wrote one of his earliest songs, “I Can’t Change It,” at age 12. (His childhood idol, Ray Charles, would later record the song for the 1980 Atlantic release Brother Ray Is at It Again!)

Miller got his first gig at age 16 in local R&B/beatsters The Deljaks. Two years later, he joined soul-rockers Sock It to ‘Em JB, which also featured an older up-and-coming local, singer–bassist James Dewar.

The Stoics, Jude

In 1968, Miller debuted on record as a member of The Stoics, a Glasgow pop-psych band that issued the single “Earth, Fire, Air and Water” (b/w “Search of the Sea”) on RCA.

To further his career, he moved to London in 1970. The following year, he met guitarist Robin Trower, fresh off a five-album stint with Procol Harum. Miller introduced Trower to Dewar, who had just left Stone the Crows. The three of them formed Jude with ex-Jethro Tull drummer Clive Bunker. Despite an instant buzz in the UK music weeklies, they broke up after nine months with no recordings. Trower formed a backing band with Dewar on bass and vocals. One song from the Trower–Miller partnership, “I Can’t Wait Much Longer,” appears on Trower’s debut solo album, Twice Removed from Yesterday.

In late 1972, Miller signed as a solo singer with Chrysalis Records.

Once in a Blue Moon

Frankie Miller released his debut album, Once in a Blue Moon, in late 1972 on Chrysalis.

High Life

Frankie Miller released his second album, High Life , in 1974 on Chrysalis.

The Rock

Frankie Miller released his third album, The Rock, in 1975 on Chrysalis.

Full House

Frankie Miller released his fourth album, Full House, in May 1977 on Chrysalis.

Double Trouble

Frankie Miller released his fifth album, Double Trouble, in April 1978 on Chrysalis.

Falling in Love

Frankie Miller released his sixth album, Falling in Love, in April 1979 on Chrysalis.

Easy Money

Frankie Miller released his seventh album, Easy Money, in June 1980 on Chrysalis.

Standing on the Edge

Frankie Miller released his eighth album, Standing on the Edge, in 1982 on Capitol Records.

Dancing in the Rain

Frankie Miller released his ninth album, Dancing in the Rain, in 1986 on Vertigo.

Discography:

• Once in a Blue Moon (1972)
• High Life (1974)
• The Rock (1975)
• Full House (1977)
• Double Trouble (1978)
• Falling in Love (1979)
• Easy Money (1980)
• Standing on the Edge (1982)
• Dancing in the Rain (1986)

Sources:

• Discogs: Frankie Miller