The Mills Brothers

Biography

The Mills Brothers were an iconic African-American vocal quartet born in Piqua, Ohio, consisting of four brothers: John Mills Jr. (guitarist and bassist), Herbert (tenor), Harry (baritone), and Donald (lead tenor). Born into a musical family—their father John H. Mills owned a barbershop and was an accomplished light-opera singer—the brothers began performing in their father's barbershop, where they developed their signature barbershop harmony sound. They made their public debut in 1925 at May's Opera House in Piqua, opening for a Rin Tin Tin film and earning $4 a night plus tips. A pivotal moment came during an amateur contest when Harry lost his kazoo and improvised trumpet sounds by cupping his hands over his mouth; this accidental discovery led all the brothers to develop their revolutionary vocal instrumental imitations, which became their defining artistic trademark and set them apart from other vocal groups of the era.

The Mills Brothers' rise to national prominence accelerated rapidly in the late 1920s and early 1930s. After performing on Cincinnati radio station WLW, they caught the attention of Duke Ellington, who recommended them to Brunswick Records and helped facilitate their signing. In September 1930, CBS Radio executive William S. Paley heard their audition and immediately signed them to a three-year contract, making them the first African-Americans to host a network radio show and the first African-American vocal group to gain widespread popularity among white audiences. Their debut recording, "Tiger Rag," became a nationwide best-seller and gold-certified hit, selling over one million copies. The group achieved their greatest commercial success with "Paper Doll" in 1943, which sold six million copies and became their first and only No. 1 hit on the Billboard singles chart. Throughout their career, which spanned over 50 years from the Jazz Age through the Rock and Roll era, they sold more than 50 million records and became known for their close harmonies, sophisticated arrangements, and ability to seamlessly blend jazz, pop, and swing styles.

The Mills Brothers' legacy was marked by both tragedy and resilience. When John Mills Jr. died suddenly in 1936 while performing in England, their father John Sr. stepped in to replace him as bassist and tuba vocalist, allowing the group to continue without loss of popularity. They became the first African-Americans to perform before British royalty in 1934, appearing before King George V and Queen Mary at the Regal Theatre. The group was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1998, cementing their status as pioneers in American music history. After their father's retirement in 1957, the three surviving brothers—Herbert, Harry, and Donald—continued performing until Harry's death in 1982, followed by Herbert's death in 1989. Donald Mills continued performing with his son John throughout the 1990s, ensuring the Mills Brothers' legacy remained alive for new generations of music lovers.

Fun Facts

• During an amateur contest at May's Opera House in Piqua, Harry Mills lost his kazoo on stage and improvised by cupping his hands over his mouth to imitate a trumpet sound. This accidental discovery became the foundation of the Mills Brothers' revolutionary signature sound of vocal instrumental imitations.
• The Mills Brothers were the first African-Americans to have their own national network radio show on CBS in 1930, breaking significant racial barriers in broadcasting and entertainment.
• Their debut recording 'Tiger Rag' sold over one million copies and was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA, making it one of the first gold-certified records in music history.
• The Mills Brothers performed a command performance before British royalty in 1934, becoming the first African-Americans to perform for King George V and Queen Mary at the Regal Theatre in England.

Members

• John Mills, Jr. - bass vocals (from 1928 until 1936)
• John Mills, Sr. (from 1936 until 1957)
• Norman Brown - additional
• Donald Mills - tenor vocals
• Harry Mills - baritone vocals
• Herbert Mills - tenor vocals

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Duke Ellington - Heard the Mills Brothers perform in Cincinnati and recommended them to Brunswick Records, facilitating their recording contract and national exposure (Recommendation to Brunswick Records) [1928-1930]
• Seger Ellis - WLW Cincinnati DJ who helped the Mills Brothers become local radio stars and provided crucial early career support (Radio promotion and mentorship) [1928-1930]
• John H. Mills (Father) - Musical influence and barbershop harmony foundation; light-opera singer and founder of the Four Kings of Harmony quartet (Barbershop harmony training; later replaced John Jr. as group member) [1920s-1957]

Key Collaborators

• Louis Armstrong - Frequent recording partner; multiple recording sessions together (Multiple recordings including first session in April 1937 (Decca 1245)) [1937 onwards]
• Duke Ellington - Recording collaborator and early career supporter (Joint recordings) [1930s-1940s]
• Ella Fitzgerald - Recording collaborator in jazz and vocal ensemble recordings (Joint recordings) [1930s-1940s]
• Bing Crosby - Major star collaboration during the height of the Mills Brothers' popularity (Joint performances and recordings) [1930s-1940s]
• Boswell Sisters - Recording collaborators in vocal ensemble recordings (Joint recordings) [1930s-1940s]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. You Always Hurt The One You Love - 1958 version (Great Hits)
2. Nevertheless (I'm In Love With You) - 1958 version (Great Hits)
3. Paper Doll (Souvenir Album)
4. You Always Hurt The One You Love (The Anthology: 1931 - 1968)
5. Till Then (Souvenir Album)
6. Till Then (The Anthology: 1931 - 1968)
7. Till Then - 1958 version (Great Hits)
8. The Glow Worm - Single Version (The Anthology: 1931 - 1968)
9. I'll Be Around - 1958 version (Great Hits)
10. Paper Doll (Paper Doll)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

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