Steve Miller was a mainstay of the San Francisco music scene that upended American culture in the late '60s. With albums like Children of the Future, Sailor and Brave New World, Miller perfected a psychedelic blues sound that drew on the deepest sources of American roots music and simultaneously articulated a compelling vision of what music-and society-could be in the years to come.

Then, in the '70s, Miller crafted a brand of rock 'n' roll music that was polished, exciting and irresistible, and that has dominated radio through today. Hit followed hit in an endless flow: "The Joker," "Livin' in the USA," "Take the Money and Run," "Rock'n Me," "Fly Like an Eagle," "Jet Airliner," "Jungle Love," and "Abracadabra" among them. To this day, these songs are instantly recognizable when they come on the radio-and impossible not to sing along.

Running through Miller's catalogue is a combination of virtuosity and songcraft along with melodic vocals and signature guitar riffs. His parents were jazz aficionados -- Les Paul was his godfather -- so as a budding guitarist and singer, Miller absorbed valuable lessons from their musical tradition.

When his family moved to Texas, Miller deepened his education in the blues, meeting T-Bone Walker and learning to sing and play listening to him and Jimmy Reed. Miller then moved to Chicago where he played with Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Lightnin' Hopkins, Buddy Guy and Paul Butterfield.

Miller, who was voted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame after being nominated for the first time this year, keeps himself immersed in listening and playing all genres of blues and jazz and rock 'n' roll music-American music.  He is also contributing his time to serving on the welcoming committee of the Department of Musical Instruments of New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art and as a board member of Jazz at Lincoln Center, where he curates and hosts shows at both institutions celebrating the bridge between blues and jazz music and early American music.