Mills Brothers

The Mills Brothers
Musical Band

The Mills Brothers were an African-American jazz and pop band who made more than 2,000 recordings that sold more than 50 million copies, including at least three dozen gold records.

Mills Brothers was born into a family in Piqua, Ohio, USA. The members were Donald Mills, Herbert Mills, Harry Mills and John Mills Jr. As the boys grew up, they began singing in Piqua's church.

In 1928, the group traveled to Cincinnati for an audition with radio station WLW. The station hired them. When they sang for Duke Ellington, Okeh Records signed them and brought the group to New York City. In September 1930, they auditioned for CBS Radio in New York. For the first time, they used the name "The Mills Brothers". The next day, the Mills Brothers signed a three-year contract and became the first African-Americans to have a network show on radio.

In 1931, their first recording, "Tiger Rag", sold over a million copies and was awarded a gold disc. In 1934, The Mills Brothers became the first African-Americans to perform in front of the British royal family (King George V and Queen Mary). John Jr. became ill while performing in England. He died in early 1936. Their father, John Sr. succeeded John Jr. Around this time, Bernard Addison joined them as guitarist.

In 1956, John Sr. stopped doing the show, but the other three continued. The Mills Brothers' fiftieth anniversary celebration was held in Los Angeles in 1976, hosted by Bing Crosby. Herbert, Harry and Donald continued performing until Harry's death in 1982. Herbert and Donald continued to work together until Herbert's death in 1989. Then, Donald began performing with his son John II. After Donald's death on November 13, 1999, John II continued "The Mills Brothers".

Songs of Mills Brothers

* Paper Doll (1943)
* You Always Hurt the One You Love (1944)
* Till Then (1944)
* I Wish (1945)
* Put Another Chair at the Table (1945)
* Don't Be a Baby, Baby (1946)
* I Don't Know Enough About You (1946)
* Across the Alley From the Alamo (1947)
* Someday (You'll Want Me) (1949)
* The Glow Worm (1952)

* Cab Driver (1968)
* My Shy Violet (1968)

Mills Brothers News and Images

The Mills Brothers in the film 'Ebony Parade'. The film was released on 1947.