NEWS RELEASE
DATE: Dec. 1, 2010
CONTACT: Mark Demko, 610-332-1342, 484-634-1800 (cell) or mdemko@artsquest.org
STEVE MILLER BAND FIRST ACT TO PERFORM AT NEW ARTSQUEST CENTER
Legendary Group Will Play a Private Concert at the Musikfest Café April 30
BETHLEHEM, PA—Blues-rocker and Martin Guitar artist Steve Miller and his band will perform the initial concert at the new ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks in Bethlehem on April 30, 2011. The multi-platinum selling recording artist will christen the contemporary performing arts center with a private concert for ArtsQuest Center donors and supporters in the Musikfest Café presented by Yuengling.
One of the most popular artists in rock music history, Miller rose to stardom in the 1970s with a series of major hits including “Fly Like an Eagle,” “Take the Money and Run,” “Jet Airliner,” “Jungle Love,” “Swingtown” and the No. 1 smash “Rock ‘n Me.” During his 40-plus year career, he has sold more than 30 million albums and performed to sold-out arenas and stadiums throughout the world. His “Greatest Hits 1974-78” is one of the most popular albums of all time, having sold more than 13 million copies since its release in 1978.
Born October 5, 1943 in Milwaukee, Miller grew up in a musical family. His mother, Bertha, was a talented vocalist while father, Dr. George Miller, was an amateur tape recordist. Steve picked up his first guitar - a gift from his uncle - when he was only 4 years old, and he later learned some chords from legendary guitarist Les Paul, a friend of his father’s. By the time Miller was 12, he had formed his first band, The Marksmen, and was on his way to a lifelong career in music.
Miller’s first big break came in 1973 with the release of the album “The Joker,” which reached No. 2 on the charts. The album, which contained the No. 1 single of the same name, marked the first of three consecutive Top 20 albums for Miller, the other two being 1976’s “Fly Like and Eagle” and 1977’s “Book of Dreams.” In 1982, he once again ascended to the top of the Billboard charts with the hit album and song, “Abracadabra.”
Today, Miller continues to tour and create music enjoyed by fans around the globe. His June 2010 release, “Bingo!” - his first studio album in 17 years - reached the top of the Billboard Blues Albums charts while hitting No. 11 on Billboard’s Top Rock Albums charts and No. 37 on the Billboard 200.
The grand opening for the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks and Musikfest Café presented by Yuengling, 101 Founders Way in Bethlehem, is set for May 1, 2011. ArtsQuest is currently in the final phase of its capital campaign to raise the money necessary to complete the $26-million contemporary performing arts center, which will be home to the two-screen Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas, Musikfest Café presented by Yuengling, Sands Deck, Fowler Blast Furnace Room and more. Anyone interested in making a donation to the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks may do so by visiting www.artsquest.org/steelstacks.
For more information on the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, visit www.artsquest.org/steelstacks or call 610-332-1300.
ABOUT ARTSQUEST
ArtsQuest is a Bethlehem, PA-based nonprofit dedicated to presenting music, arts, cultural experiences and educational and outreach programs that aid in economic development, urban revitalization and community enrichment. Through festivals such as its flagship event, Musikfest®, and the Banana Factory® cultural arts and education center, ArtsQuest’s programming currently reaches more than 1.3 million people annually.
ArtsQuest is furthering its mission of celebrating arts and culture through the development of the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks. The 65,000-square-foot building, set to open in May 2011, will feature live music, independent and scientific films, new festivals and community celebrations year-round, reaching an additional 750,000 people each year.
For more information on ArtsQuest, visit www.artsquest.org or call 610-332-1300.
-30-
Editor’s Note: Attached is a high-resolution image of Steve Miller.
