In 1964, Jimmy Miller recorded “The Genie,” with the opening recitation by a female chorus,
“Here is a magic lamp for you,
“The Genie can make your dreams come true,
“Ask him anything you choose,
“But if it’s granted, the lamp you lose.”
In mid-1965, Jimmy Miller remixed the Spencer Davis Group’s “Gimme Some Lovin’” for the U.S. release. It was such a success that Jimmy Miller went on to co-write “I’m a Man” with Stevie Winwood for the last session of Winwood’s with the Spencer Davis Group. He helped Stevie Winwood found Traffic, having used some of the same musicians for his remix of “Gimme Some Lovin.’” From there Jimmy Miller continued to have spectacular success with the British Invasion music scene, including the Rolling Stones’ “Jumping Jack Flash” and their Beggars Banquet album. As the Rolling Stones’ producer from 1968 to 1973, he was involved with classic Rolling Stones’ albums. Beggars Banquet, Let It Bleed, Sticky Fingers, and Exile on Main St. Songs from the period include, "You Can't Always Get What You Want,” "Can't You Hear Me Knocking," and "Sympathy for the Devil."
Could the singer of “Genie” possibly be the same Jimmy Miller as the producer involved with the Rolling Stones, Blind Faith, Traffic, Stevie Winwood and the Spencer Davis Group? It is hard to imagine, especially since being a producer and singer are not the same, and with none of these groups did he sing, just produced. On the other hand, there is a rumored vocal with Stevie Winwood, dating from the same late 1964-early 1965 period, by the Anglos, called “Incense” and issued as the Anglos. Also, Jimmy Miller’s father was a Las Vegas entertainment booker, a connection to the music business quite different from the British scene and a possible early influence. Unfortunately, Jimmy Miller died in 1994.
