The Mills Brothers Biography, Photos and Posters

The Mills Brothers

Biography

Started: 1930
City and Country of Origin: Cincinnati, Ohio
Music Background: sang in choir of the Cyrene African Methodist Episcopal Church and in the Park Avenue Baptist Church in Piqua
Awards: 1998 Grammy Award for Lifetime Achievement
Top Recordings: "Tiger Rag," "Goodbye Blues," "Lazy River," "Till Then," "You're Nobody's Sweetheart Now," "Lazy Bones," "Caravan," "It Don’t Mean a Thing," "Paper Doll," "When You Were Sweet Sixteen," "Glow Worm," "The Jones Boy," "She Was Five And He Was Ten," "You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You," "Opus One," "Yellow Bird," "Cab Driver,"
The Mills Brothers Biography: The Mills Brothers were the first major Black recording group of the twentieth century. All four brothers were born in Piqua, Ohio just 25 miles north of Dayton. They were John Jr. (1911-1936) basso and guitarist, Herbert (1912-1989) tenor, Harry (1913-1982) baritone, and Donald (1915-1999) lead tenor born to John H. and Eathel Mills. Their father, John Sr., owned a barber shop and founded a barbershop quartet, called the '"Four Kings of Harmony."

They gathered after school to sing and play the kazoo. while competing in an amateur contest at Piqua's Mays Opera House Harry lost the kazoo. So, he cupped his hands to his mouth to imitate the sound of a trumpet. As a result of his success all the brother began imitating different musical instruments. They practiced imitating orchestras they heard on the radio and soon they were entertaining on the Midwest theater circuit with their amazing ability to imitate instruments with their voices. In 1928 they auditioned along with the Harold Greenameyer Band for a spot on Cincinnati's WLW radio station. The band wasn't hired, but they were and soon became local radio stars. When Duke Ellington played in Cincinnati they sang for him. He was so impressed that he called Tommy Rockwell at Okeh Records, who signed them and brought the group to New York.

Now, until this time the group had gone by a number of names like The Steamboat Four or Four Boys and a Guitar, but for an audition for CBS radio they went by the name The Mills Brothers. After CBS executive William S. Paley heard them he immediately put them on the radio. The next day they inked a 3 year contract thus becoming the first African-Americans to have a radio show. Their show was sponsored by some of the largest advertisers in early radio like Standard Oil, Procter & Gamble, Crisco, and Crosley Radio.

Their first recording, for Brunswick Records, "Tiger Rag" became a nationwide seller. Other hits soon followed including: '"Goodbye Blues"', their theme song, "You're Nobody's Sweetheart Now," '"Ole Rockin' Chair" and "Lazy River." By 1934 the group had gained worldwide recognition and became the first African-Americans to give a command performance before British royalty. It was around this time that John Jr. became sick and died at the beginning of 1936. The remaining brothers considered breaking up, but followed their mother's suggestion and their father John Sr. replaced John Jr. as the baritone and tuba. Norman Brown also joined the Brothers as their guitar player.

Through 1939 they enjoyed remarkable success in Europe. During this period they recorded "Lazy River," Someday You'll Want Me to Want You," "Swing Is the Thing" and "Long About Midnight" before returning to the States. They also recorded "Caravan" in honor of Duke Ellington. On their return home they recorded "I'll Be Around" which became popular, but when a DJ flipped it over the B side "Paper Doll" went on to sell 6 million copies becoming the group's biggest hit.

Unlike other pop performers the Mills Brothers were not slowed by the advent of rock and roll during the 1950s. Glow Worm" hit the top of the pop charts in 1952. They followed with hits like "You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You," "Yellow Bird," "Standing on the Corner," and "If I had My Way." During the 50s the group often appeared on television shows like The Jack Benny Show, The Perry Como Show, The Tonight Show and The Hollywood Palace. A move from Decca REcords to Dot produced the a cover of the Silhouettes' "Get a Job" which highlighted the groups considerable influence on the music form known as doo-wop. The groups last major hit was "Cab Driver" in 1968. As a trio after their father retired from performing the group dontinued on the oldies circuit until Harry's death in 1982.

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