Bad Luck.

Miller has fun with guitar tech at New Jersey show

Steve Miller had an equipment malfunction Thursday night at his show in Morristown, New Jersey. Three-quarters of the way through "Abracadabra," his Fender Stratocaster went silent. He banged it on his thigh, to no avail, until his guitar tech, Wes, brought him out another one. No dice. Wes came out with a third guitar, which also did not work.

With the band still playing, Miller told the audience that this was a Spinal Tap moment for Wes, who was running frantically around the stage trying to figure out the source of the problem. He got down on his knees to inspect Miller's footpedals as Miller shared a play-by-play of his efforts. Finally, Wes and another roadie got it to work, which brought the audience to its feet. Miller then said he needed a soundcheck and picked up the song where he had left off. When it was done he brought Wes out to take a bow to a standing ovation.

Thursday's show also featured Miller's second performance in 30 years of "The Window," a track from the 1976 album Fly Like an Eagle. The first was the night before in Red Bank, New Jersey, but Miller told the Morristown audience that he practiced it that day so it should be better. He seemed pleased with the result. Miller is in Cleveland Saturday.