Mills Brothers

The Mills Brothers were an African-American jazz and pop vocal group of the 20th century.

Related Topics:
African-American - Jazz - Pop

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The group was originally composed of four brothers from Piqua, Ohio: John, Herbert, Harry and Donald. They began performing together in the 1920s, and first became commercial successes towards the end of the decade. They were known for their close harmonies and their ability to imitate musical instruments with their voices. Their first big hit was a cover record of the Original Dixieland Jass Band standard "Tiger Rag".

Related Topics:
Piqua, Ohio - John - Herbert - Harry - Donald - 1920s - Cover record - Original Dixieland Jass Band - Standard

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Their early recordings show them as excellent hot jazz vocalists. They were popular radio stars, billed with the subtitle "Four Boys and a Guitar" and announcers commonly explained to listeners that the only instrument was a guitar, as the vocal effects made many listeners think they were hearing a muted trumpet, saxophone, and string bass.

Related Topics:
Radio - Guitar

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The Brothers appeared in a number of movies through the 1930s, and in addition to their phonograph records as a group, they were paired with other jazz stars of the era such as Louis Armstrong and Bing Crosby for some recordings.

Related Topics:
Movie - 1930s - Phonograph records - Louis Armstrong - Bing Crosby

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John died in 1936 and was replaced by his father, John Mills, senior. In the 1940s their style changed to emphasize a more sweet rather than hot sound. Eventually their father retired from the group and the three remaining brothers continued on as a trio. They stopped performing when Harry died in 1982.

Related Topics:
1936 - 1940s - 1982

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Some of their later hits include:

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• "Paper Doll" (1943)
• "You Aways Hurt The One You Love" (1944)
• "Till Then" (1944)
• "Across The Alley From The Alamo" (1947)
• "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm" (1949)
• "Daddy's Little Girl" (1950)
• "Nevertheless" (1950)
• "Be My Life's Companion" (1952)
• "Glow Worm" (1952)
• "The Jones Boy" (1954)
• "Cab Driver" (1968)
 
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