The Steve Miller Band known for hits like “The Joker,” “Fly Like an Eagle,” and “Abracadabra,” hA canceled their entire 2025 U.S. tour, originally set to begin August 15 in Bethel, New York, and end November 8 in Anaheim, California, with 31 scheduled dates.
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| Steve Miller |
The statement, shared on their website and social media, emphasized Miller’s instinct-driven decision: “You make music with your instincts. You live your life by your instincts. Always trust your instincts… So… You can blame it on the weather… The tour is cancelled.”
However, fans and critics speculated that low ticket sales, not weather, prompted the cancellation, pointing to Ticketmaster screenshots showing unsold seats. A music industry analyst criticized Miller, and social media posts called the weather excuse “the lamest reason ever” to cancel a tour.
In response, longtime band member Kenny Lee Lewis, who has played guitar and bass since 1982, defended Miller on Facebook. Lewis recounted a July 13, 2024, outdoor show in Atlanta opening for Journey and Def Leppard, where Miller suffered heat exhaustion, requiring stage air coolers and frozen gel packs.
Lewis also noted a stage manager’s hospitalization for a mini-stroke during that event, underscoring the real dangers of extreme heat for the band and crew. He clarified that Miller had tried to schedule only indoor venues for 2025 but reluctantly agreed to some outdoor shows to keep the band employed, countering claims that poor ticket sales were the sole reason.
Lewis emphasized, “We’ve always [done] well with walk-ups and last minute buys,” but Miller’s longstanding concern about heat was a key factor.