Miles in 1970

Here's Miles with photographer Freddie Warren, Jazz Photographer in London, 1970. It appears Miles is wearing a leather coat which I own that has the label A.C. BANG sewn on the inside back collar. The rest of the label reads:

Kongelig Hofleverandor
Siden 1817
Kobenhavn

The buckles on the sleeve as well as those wide lapels of the 70's match the leather coat I own. Sorry, I don't have the name of the photographer that took this photo. If anyone knows who took this photo, please let me know so I can give them credit. Thanks to Tom M for finding this photo.

March 13th: Miles Inducted into the Hall

Miles hasn't been in the news this much in 15 years . . . complete with a family feude (and not just with the Davis family), the disclosure of a biographical movie in the making, his rise to rock stardom and godhood, and all this surrounded by a lot of critism for a jazz trumpeter inducted into rock and roll. What next? MilesCon in Chicago?

Inducted by his fellow jazz musician, Herbie Hancock said, "He was a man of mystery, magic and mystique. It was often said he was an enigma. I would venture to say that many who said that just didn't get it." As his fans know, Miles often played with his back to the audience simply because he was conducting his band.

Sure wish I could have been part of the celebrations, but with tickets going for a mere $2000.00 . . . well someone had to stay at home and tend the news feeds.

Pictured above is the label inside the jacket belonging to Miles which is now on loan to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.

Miles' Clothes Closet

Here's a famous photo of Miles' in front of his walk-in closet taken by Anthony Barboza in 1971 from www.stereophile.com. Here Davis stands in "period mod attire" with an expression on his face that may be mocking himself or the photographer, or perhaps it's just how the camera caught his expression. At any rate, his clothes spill on to the floor . . . belts, scarves, shoes, boots, clothes. Miles definitely made a fashion statement.

In the Saturday Review, November 27, 1971 article by Chris Albertson, The Unmasking of Miles Davis, he notes that Miles "generally wears clothing that reflect future fashion trends—Gentleman’s Quarterly named him, 'Best Dressed Man' ". As they stand in his circular bedroom Miles "waved his hand towards a long row of flamboyant clothes and boots in dazzling colors. 'I have these made for me.' "

The jacket has arrived in Cleveland

Here's the jacket on February 24, 2006, getting ready to be sent to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Just yesterday (March 2, 2006) the curator contacted me with this mail: "I was in Cleveland yesterday and saw the jacket. I thought it looked fantastic!"

Name this fur

I am trying to find out what type of fur Miles is wearing. Originally I was told it was llama. I wrote to a llama farmer in the Andes Mountains and she informed me that she has never seen a spotted llama. The Fur Commission USA thought perhaps the spots were stenciled on. Miles wouldn't have gone there! Another furrier thought it might have been faux, but the other side of the coat is leather and it's reversible. So, I am still on my quest! If anyone has a clue, let me know.

The photographer is Tadayuki Naitoh. This photo was on the inside cover of Miles Davis' AGHARTA; Japanese original edition, February 1, 1975; Osaka, Japan.

Just out of habit, each day I would check the tracking to see if Miles' jacket had arrived. This morning is March 1st and the first thing I thought of when I woke up was: Is it there? I checked the tracking and it had, in fact, arrived in Cleveland at 6:01 AM.

This blog is dedicated to Miles Davis and his clothes, hence "Threads" (not to be confused with geek speak). As I am learning more about him and his unique style, not only in his music, but from his choice in garments, I am even more fasacinated with his life because I happen to own some of his clothing.

Here is the link you can check out to learn all about the story of how I happened upon his clothes.
http://www.princeofwalesonline.com/miles_davis.html


It's been a very exciting week:
Thursday, February 23, 2006 I emailed the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with my web site

Within ten minutes I had a response back and talked to someone at the RARHOF. We had to work on this quickly because the museum exhibit opens in two weeks. They requested the black jacket with the pin stripes which I agreed to put on loan for one year. This jacket seems to be the one that appears on his album Cookin' at the Plugged Nickel. I must admit it was a difficult decision to part with this piece, but I wanted to be a part of history and share this jacket with his fans for his induction into the Hall.

On Friday, February 24, 2006, the jacket was all packed up and on its way to Cleveland.