Still more Miles/Rock Hall coverage

Looks like Miles' eldest son was able to make it to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremonies last night, according to this passage from Billboard's story about the event:

"Pianist Herbie Hancock inducted Davis, with whom he collaborated from 1963 to 1968. "This is a black man whose ancestors were in slavery. He's an international icon. America should be proud of him," said Davis' son, Gregory. "I hope by being here this will unite my family and keep us strong, like his music was."

Hancock then led a band featuring drummer Jack DeJohnette, electric bassist Marcus Miller and guitarist Mike Stern through a suite of "In a Silent Way," "Tutu" and "Jean Pierre.""

Today's New York Times also features a brief news story on the ceremony.

Meanwhile, here's yet another piece, this one from Blogcritics.com and headlined "Miles Davis: Rock Star?", on the subject of a jazz musician entering the rock & roll shrine.

And last, and certainly least, from the Department of Self-Serving Bovine Excrement, there's this, released to the media yesterday by Davis' nephew Vince Wilburn, Jr. and daughters Cheryl and Erin Davis, with the apparent purpose of redefining the term "immediate family" so as to exclude Davis' eldest son Gregory. I don't know any of the Davis offspring, and have no idea why they're feuding, but any time I see this sort of Orwellian attempt to redefine common English words, it raises both my hackles and my suspicions.

Given that they probably took nine months or so to gestate, just like the rest of us, referring to Cheryl and Erin Davis as Miles' "immediate children" strikes me as simply ridiculous. Is an "immediate child" supposed to be something like instant coffee, or maybe one of those microwaveable frozen dinners? And since when is a nephew part of the "immediate family," but a first-born son is not?

Even if Davis' two daughters and nephew somehow have a legitimate beef with Gregory Davis, this sort of propaganda reflects badly on them, not him. And if they can't make nice with their half-brother/cousin even for one night honoring their father/uncle, they get little sympathy from me. Moreover, Miles' notable disregard for social norms notwithstanding, I can't imagine any father approving of his children getting in a public tug-of-war like this. It's a regrettable note to sound on what should have been a happy occasion for all.

UPDATE, 6 a.m., 3/15/06: The Belleville News-Democrat commemorates the occasion with a short bio of Davis and a feature story with quotes from Miles' biographer Quincy Troupe, writer Eugene Redmond and East St. Louis mayor Carl Officer.

(Edited immediately after posting to correct a spelling error.)