Latest Release
- 25 MAR 2024
- 14 Songs
- Four Boys and a Guitar: The Essential Mills Brothers · 1995
- All Time Greatest Hits · 1952
- The Finest Vintage Melodies & Retro Tunes, Vol. 36 · 2011
- The Board of Directors · 1968
- The Board of Directors · 1968
- The Board of Directors · 1968
- The Board of Directors · 1968
- The Board of Directors · 1968
- The Board of Directors · 1968
- The Board of Directors · 1968
Albums
Artist Playlists
- They broke down social barriers with their jazz harmonies.
Appears On
- Swing Republic
About The Mills Brothers
The Ohio-born Mills Brothers were a vocal quartet with roots going back to early jazz and barbershop harmony, but their innovative style, which initially utilized vocal approximations of instrumental sounds, was one of the key influences on '50s doo-wop. Harry, Donald, Herbert, and John Mills started performing in the '20s, accompanied only by a guitar, as they used their voices to imitate saxophone, trumpet, bass, et al. Their intricate harmonies and unique approach scored them hit after hit in the '30s and '40s, as well as roles in numerous movie musicals. In the '50s, they switched to a more conventional band-backed format and the huge hits ("Glow Worm," "Opus One," "Smack Dab in the Middle") continued. Various versions of the group continued performing into the '80s, until Donald became the only surviving member (he died in 1999).
- ORIGIN
- Piqua, OH, United States
- FORMED
- 1928
- GENRE
- Jazz