The Mills Brothers
An astonishing vocal group that grew into one of the longest-lasting group acts in American popular music.
Originally billed as "Four Boys and a Guitar," the group's early records came complete with a note assuring listeners that the only musical instrument they were hearing was a guitar. The caution was understandable, since the Mills Brothers were so good at imitating trumpets, trombones, and saxophones with only their voices that early singles like "Tiger Rag" and "St. Louis Blues" sounded closer to a hot Dixieland combo than a vocal group. The four brothers were all born in Piqua, Ohio, USA. Their father owned a barber shop and started a barbershop quartet as well. His sons learned their close harmonies first-hand, and began performing around the area. The Mills Brothers also began broadcasting over a Cincinnati radio station during the late 1920s.
Originally billed as "Four Boys and a Guitar," the group's early records came complete with a note assuring listeners that the only musical instrument they were hearing was a guitar. The caution was understandable, since the Mills Brothers were so good at imitating trumpets, trombones, and saxophones with only their voices that early singles like "Tiger Rag" and "St. Louis Blues" sounded closer to a hot Dixieland combo than a vocal group. The four brothers were all born in Piqua, Ohio, USA. Their father owned a barber shop and started a barbershop quartet as well. His sons learned their close harmonies first-hand, and began performing around the area. The Mills Brothers also began broadcasting over a Cincinnati radio station during the late 1920s.
After moving to New York, the group hit it big during 1931 and early 1932 with the singles "Tiger Rag" and
"Dinah" (the latter with Bing Crosby).
They continued during 1932, with appearances in the film The Big Broadcast and more hits including "St.
Louis Blues" and "Bugle Call Rag.". They made duets with Ella Fitzgerald ("Dedicated to You") and
Louis Armstrong ("Darling Nelly Gray").
In 1943 they recorded
Paper Doll,,
a ballad that became one of the biggest hits of the decade -- twelve weeks at the top of the charts, and six million
records sold (plus sheet music). The group appeared in several films during the 1940s, and hit number one again in
1944 with
You Always Hurt The One You Love,,
In 1952,
Glow Worm,,
became their last number one hit. A move from Decca to Dot records brought a moderate 1958 hit with "Get a Job".