“Music was my first love. And he will be my last ”,
he declaimed in his famous song
Music
. British singer, guitarist, keyboardist and songwriter John Miles was renowned for his sense of melody. After a rich musical career, he passed away at his home in Newcastle on Sunday 5 December, as his family announced on social media: “
After a short illness, John Miles passed away peacefully. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather and he will be sorely missed. He will always live on in our hearts with the wonderful musical legacy he left behind.
He leaves behind his wife of 49 years, Eileen, their two children John Jr and Tanya, and two grandchildren.
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After having been a member of several groups, John Miles began his solo career in 1970 but success was mixed.
It was in 1976 that it all began for the musician who released his legendary hit
Music (Was My First Love)
, signed by Decca Records and produced by Alan Parsons.
The title climbed to third place in the English rankings and will stay there for nine weeks.
Since then,
music
has become the anthem of
Night of the Proms
, a series of concerts each year in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and Luxembourg.
From 1985, John Miles is there and opens the festivities by singing his love of music.
“
The
Night of the Proms
and John Miles were a perfect marriage.
He was there almost every year, each time animated by the same warmth and the same love.
It will never be the same again.
But we will always feel an intense happiness when hearing the notes of Music
”, we can read on the Facebook page of the Palais des Sports in Antwerp.
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While his solo career had its ups and downs until 2013, when he retired, he remained a much sought-after musician.
John Miles has collaborated with many artists, he was Tina Turner's regular guitarist, and toured alongside Joe Cocker for the
Night Calls
album
in 1991 and 1992.