Scott Miller, who fronted ’80s college-rock act Game Theory and later, through much of the ’90s, The Loud Family, has died at the age of 53, according to a message posted on the latter band’s website. “He was a wonderful, loyal friend as well as a brilliant musician, and I will miss him for the rest of my life,” his webmaster, Sue Trowbridge, wrote.
No cause of death was provided.
With Game Theory, Miller released a string of well-received — by critics and adoring fans, if not the wider public — throughout the ’80s, peaking with 1986 single “Erica’s Word” (see the video posted below) and 1987 double album Lolita Nation. According to Trowbridge, Miller — who most recently authored “Music: What Happened?” — had been planning to record a new Game Theory album, to be called Supercalifragile, this summer with some of his former collaborators.
With Game Theory’s discography long out of print and not available digitally, Trowbridge is offering the albums Distortion of Glory, Real Nighttime, The Big Shot Chronicles, Lolita Nation, 2 Steps From the Middle Ages and Tinker to Evers to Chance as free downloads via Dropbox.com or at the Loud Family site via Lost Turntable. Miller’s music with The Loud Family, Trowbridge notes, is generally available through streaming services.
She writes: “My main goal is to prevent people from trying to capitalize by selling these long out of print albums for lots of money. I want everybody who would like to hear these albums to be able to do so without paying outrageous prices.”
Read the full statement on Miller’s passing:
Scott Warren Miller
1960-2013I wish it weren’t true, but as much as it pains me to write these words, Scott passed away on April 15, 2013. He was a wonderful, loyal friend as well as a brilliant musician, and I will miss him for the rest of my life.
Scott had been planning to start recording a new Game Theory album, Supercalifragile, this summer, and was looking forward to getting back into the studio and reuniting with some of his former collaborators.
If listening to Scott’s own music is too painful for you right now, as it is for me, I can tell you that he absolutely loved David Bowie’s new album, The Next Day. He found Bowie’s late-career resurgence to be hugely inspirational. I’m sure that if there had been a 2013 chapter of Music: What Happened?, one of the songs from that album would have been right at the top.
Game Theory, “Erica’s Word”
Fuck. What a loss.
Lolita Nation was a great album. I have it on cassette. Sad news and way too young.
Wow – I’m so bummed and sorry!! What a breath of fresh air his music was!! Damn!
So sad to hear this. He was really great. And a very good music writer, too.
Ace K.
Incredibly sad news. What a loss!
very sad to hear this. sending sympathy to scott’s family and friends on our mutual loss.
Wow, I’m at a loss for words…I was actually listening to Big Shot Chronicles as I heard this news. Some of my favorite memories come from GT shows at the old Berkeley Square. I’ll miss you scott!
He was a tremendously gifted songwriter and melodist, responsible for some of the very best pop records of the 1980s and early 1990s. And anyone who read his “Ask Scott” columns over the years could only marvel at the depth of his mind and facility with the written word.
Scott Miller was truly a one-of-a-kind talent, and his passing is a grievous loss. I am so sorry for those who knew and loved him.
Just FYI: Scott Miller will be Band of The Week artist on WMBR’s “Breakfast of Champions” show next week.
To honor Scott, please donate to this educational fund set up for his children: http://www.gofundme.com/2nz0vk Peace to all.
Such sad news. I’ve loved Game Theory since the mid 80s – still listen to them all the time. A great loss.
Does anyone know how he died? Was it an illiness? Very sad. I just bought the last Game Theory cd today..Does anyone know how he died? Was it an illiness?