(April 12, 2017) -- We are sad to report that Scotty Miller, drummer for the popular 70s act Instant Funk, has died. Miller was best known as a co-founder of the band that topped the charts with the classic hit, "I Got My Mind Made Up."
Instant Funk came out of New Jersey and were founded by Scotty Miller, his brother Kim, and Raymond Earl. They were one of the tightest funk bands around, and they built quite a reputation among the East Coast R&B community. Originally called The Music Machine, they were discovered by Philly soul stalwart Bunny Sigler, who helped connect them with the hitmakers in that popular city. In addition to working with Sigler, Instant Funk backed The Manhattans, Lou Rawls, The O'Jays, Evelyn Champagne King and many other major acts.
(April 12, 2017) -- We are sad to report that Scotty Miller, drummer for the popular 70s act Instant Funk, has died. Miller was best known as a co-founder of the band that topped the charts with the classic hit, "I Got My Mind Made Up."
Instant Funk came out of New Jersey and were founded by Scotty Miller, his brother Kim, and Raymond Earl. They were one of the tightest funk bands around, and they built quite a reputation among the East Coast R&B community. Originally called The Music Machine, they were discovered by Philly soul stalwart Bunny Sigler, who helped connect them with the hitmakers in that popular city. In addition to working with Sigler, Instant Funk backed The Manhattans, Lou Rawls, The O'Jays, Evelyn Champagne King and many other major acts.
Instant Funk became a headlining act in Philly in 1976, with the album Get Down With the Philly Jump. The group followed this album up with a release with Sigler for former MFSB guitarist Norman Harris' new label Gold Mind, "Let Me Party With You".
When Gold Mind label folded, Instant Funk's new cut "I Got My Mind Made Up" was transferred to the Salsoul label, and a hit was born. The remix of this song by club DJ Larry Levan and engineer Bob Blank quickly became the talk of Manhattan. "I Got My Mind Made Up" hit #1 on both the R&B and disco charts and #20 on the Pop chart in the spring of 1979. The group's Salsoul debut was certified gold, the act's only album to achieve that level of success.
Instant Funk continued to record on Salsoul into the mid-80s. They also teamed with Sigler on many of his productions for Salsoul, P.I.R. and Casablanca Records. Ultimately the band split, with each of the members continuing involvement in music in other ways.
Scotty Miller may not have had a name recognized by casual music fans, but he was an immensely talented player who was an important part of many of the greatest hits of the 70s.
Funeral Arrangements
Wednesday, April 19 at Union Baptist Church,
301 Pennington Avenue, Trenton,
Viewing from 9-11 am
Funeral at 11 am
Many thanks to SoulTracker Laura for letting us know about this.