One of the signature genres in the early to mid-70s was the so-called California sound, and one of its most representative albums was Fly Like An Eagle, by The Steve Miller Band. The album was originally released 50 years ago in 1976, and to celebrate the event, the band has announced a limited edition picture disc pressing of the album.
Side A of the disc features the album cover art, while Side B features a rare photo of Miller from the album sessions. Aside from the legendary title track, other singles on the album include “Take The Money and Run” and “Rock’n’ Me.”
The album was an instant sensation upon its release, peaking at No.3 on the Billboard 200 and No.11 on the UK charts. Its impact has lasted generations, too, with Fly Like An Eagle having been certified four times platinum in the decades since it was released. In 2025, the album was added to the National Recording Registry. Created in 2000 by the Library of Congress, 675 titles have been added to the Registry. The Librarian of Congress, with assistance from the National Recording Preservation Board, selects 25 titles each year that are “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”
Miller reflected: “It was a time when I really matured as a writer, and I started writing much better songs. I was developing my music. Things that I had been working on for a long period all came together. ‘Fly Like an Eagle’ is a combination of electronic music and a really funky groove. I put in some socially conscious lyrics and an inspirational message — at least, I hope people think it’s inspirational.”
