John Miles
Mourning for the singer who became a star with “Music”
John Miles (1949-2021).
© imago images / Revierfoto
“Music was my first love” is the title of his greatest hit, “Music” from 1976. Now John Miles has died at the age of 72.
John Miles is dead. The singer died in Newcastle at the age of 72. The organizers of “Night of the Proms” announced his death known via Instagram. Miles has been a regular guest and figurehead of the concert series since the start in 1985, which brings together rock music and classical music.
John Miles combined rock and classical music on his first album “Rebel” from 1976. The debut also included his first hit. “Music” reached the top 10 of the single charts not only in its British homeland, but also in Germany. Miles sings “Music Was My First Love, And it Will Be My Last” in the song, which runs through different styles of music in just under six minutes.
“Music” remained his only big hit
“Music” became an evergreen that is still often played on the radio today. Miles, who was marketed as a rebel in the style of James Dean for his debut album, could not build on the success. In Great Britain he had even smaller successes, in Germany he no longer landed in the charts.
Although he still recorded several records, he quickly worked again as a studio musician, for example for “Alan Parsons Project” and Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page (77). As an accompanying musician, he went on tour with Joe Cocker (1944-2014) and Tina Turner (82), among others.
In the 80s, John Miles found a new artistic home with “Night of the Proms”. Since 1985 he has performed almost every year in the Belgian concert series. “Music” is usually the highlight of the evening.
John Miles leaves behind wife Eileen, two children and several grandchildren.