This post combines two subjects that I have previously written about: the illegal, illogical and infamous 2003 invasion of Iraq and rock and roll. In late September 2019, Jacques Chirac and Joseph Wilson died one day apart. The former French president led international opposition to the “War on Terror.” He argued that toppling Saddam Hussein would lead to chaos and more terrorism. (I just read the other day that over 150 Iraqis were killed in October during demonstrations against the political establishment that was created after the 2003 invasion.) Those who believed in the yellowcake and aluminum rods also raged against President Chirac. Remember “Freedom Fries”?
Joseph Wilson, the ex-American diplomat who determined Iraq had not acquired uranium and accused the White House of manipulating intelligence, saw his wife, Valerie Plame, outed as an undercover CIA officer. Unmasking Plame, a vindictive crime, was leaked by Scooter Libby to New York Times reporter, Judith Miller. Miller spent 85 days in jail for refusing to identify her source. Her half brother is James “Jimmy” Miller.
Jimmy Miller, like Rolling Stone keyboardist Nicky Hopkins, should be a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Jimmy Miller was an American record producer who left a huge imprint in the late 60s and early 70s through his work with Steve Winwood (Spencer Davis Group, Traffic, and Blind Faith) and the Rolling Stones (Let it Bleed, Sticky Fingers, and my favorite, Exile on Main Street). Miller also produced two albums by Motorhead. Mr. Miller died in October 1994 and his estate still inexplicably awaits a call from Cleveland.
[Ed. Note – According to the Wik, Jimmy Miller played drums on several Rolling Stones tunes, including this one, the laudably groovy, “Tumbling Dice,” from Exile on Main Street.]
