The Mills Brothers

An astonishing vocal group that grew into one of the longest-lasting oldies acts in American popular music, the Mills Brothers quickly moved from novelty wonders to pop successes and continued amazing audiences for decades. 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 proficient at recreating 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. And even after the novelty wore off, the group's intricate harmonies continued charming audiences for decades.

The four brothers were all born in Piqua, Ohio -- John, Jr. in 1910, Herbert in 1912, Harry in 1913, and Donald in 1915. Their father owned a barber shop and founded a barbershop quartet as well, called the Four Kings of Harmony. His sons obviously learned their close harmonies first-hand, and began performing around the area. At one show, Harry Mills forgot his kazoo -- the group's usual accompaniment -- and ended up trying to emulate the instrument by cupping his hand over his mouth. The brothers were surprised to hear the sound of a trumpet proceeding from Harry's mouth, so they began to work the novelty into their act -- with John taking tuba, Donald trombone, and Herbert a second trumpet. The act was perfect for vaudeville, and the Mills Brothers also began broadcasting over a Cincinnatti radio station during the late '20s.

After moving to New York, the group became a sensation and hit it big during 1931 and early 1932 with the singles "Tiger Rag" and "Dinah" (the latter a duet with Bing Crosby). Dumb-founded listeners hardly believed the notice accompanying the records: "No musical instruments or mechanical devices used on this recording other than one guitar." Though the rather primitive audio of the time gave them a bit of latitude, the Mills Brothers indeed sounded exactly like they'd been backed by a small studio band. (It was, in essence, the flip side of early Duke Ellington material, on which the plunger mutes of Bubber Miley and Tricky Sam Nanton resulted in horns sounding just like voices.) The exposure continued during 1932, with appearances in the film The Big Broadcast and more hits including "St. Louis Blues" and "Bugle Call Rag." John, Jr.'s sudden death in 1936 was a huge blow to the group, but father John, Sr. took over as bass singer and Bernard Addison became the group's guitarist.

The novelty had appeared to wear off by the late '30s; despite duets with Ella Fitzgerald ("Dedicated to You") and Louis Armstrong ("Darling Nelly Gray"), the Mills Brothers' records weren't performing as well as they had earlier in the decade. All that changed in 1943 with the release of "Paper Doll," a sweet, intimate ballad that became one of the biggest hits of the decade -- twelve weeks on the top of the charts, and six million records sold (plus sheet music). The group made appearances in several movies during the early '40s, and hit number one again in 1944 with "You'll Always Hurt the One You Love." The influence of middle-of-the-road pop had slowly crept into their material from the 1940s; by the end of the decade the Mills Brothers began recording with traditional orchestras (usually conducted by Sy Oliver, Hal McIntyre or Sonny Burke). In 1952, "The Glow Worm" became their last number one hit.

The group soldiered on during the '50s, though John, Sr. retired from the group in 1956. A move from Decca to Dot brought a moderate 1958 hit, a cover of the Silhouettes' "Get a Job" that made explicit the considerable influence on doo-wop that the early Mills Brothers records had exterted. As a trio, Herbert, Harry and Donald continued performing on the oldies circuit until Harry's death in 1982, and Herbert's in 1989. Then, Donald began performing with the third generation of the family -- his son, John III

Discography

We wish all history sounded this good! The Mills Bros. started singing together in 1925, combining barbershop harmony with the jaunty rythms of the swing era. It was a sweet combination that led to a 70 year career! From 1942's "Paper Doll" to their 1968 rendition of "Cab Driver", these harmonious gentlemen had a string of top-40 hits and enjoyed enormous popularity. Warning for purists: all the songs are accompinied to some degree, usually lighty. But don't miss this CD because of that -these guys are under the directory under "debonair". Every song is a treat "Lazy River", "You Always Hurt the One You Love", "'Till Then,"I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm", "Someday", their marvelous hit "Glow Worm", "Standing on the Corner", and "Be My Life's Companion." Classic!

Listen to Someday in Real Audio

4437 CD $11.98

22 Greatest Hits

Glow Worm
Paper Doll
Dinah
You're Nobody 'Till Somebody Loves You
Yellow Bird
Tiger Rag
You Never Miss the Water Till the Well Runs Dry
You Broke the Only Heart (that ever loved)
Cab Driver
I Can't Give You Anything But Love
Lazy River
You Always Hurt the One You Love
Coney Island Washboard
When You Were Sweet Sixteen
I'll be Around
Daddy's Little Girl
The Jones Boys
On the Banks of the Wabash
Opus 1
I Don't Know Enough About You
I don't mind being all alone (when I'm Alone with you)
Nevertheless (I'm In Love With You)

The Greatest!! Did we get your attention? The Mills Brothers were sons of John Mills senior who had been a concert singer before retiring to become a barber. Among the pioneers of close harmony singing, they became one of the best known popular groups ever. They began their career in small time vaudeville as "Four Boys and a Kazoo" until one night they forgot the kazoo! John cupped his hands over his mouth and did a vocal imitation of the forgotten instrument for an enthusiastic audience. Thus began the vocal imitation of the trumpet, the trombone, the tuba, and saxophone. If you let your attention lapse for a moment while you are listening to the brothers you will not believe that these are just four singers and a slight accompanying acoustic guitar. The Greatest!! Did we say that yet?

3091 CD $11.95

This recording presents the fabulous Mills Brothers late in the trio's lengthy career, but their rhythmic sensibilities haven't aged, and a fresh buoyancy characterizes these 12 selections. Many of the songs are standards in the Mills's canon. "Some of These Days" feature Donald's vocal cornet simulation, a skill the brothers used with less frequency as the years went by. "Till Then," with its doo-wop overtones, features the languid soul the brothers so aptly displayed in their ballads. Of the later songs, "Cab Driver" and "Truck Stop" are distinctive C&W subjects; the guitar and drums are appropriately spare. This same guitar-and-drums accompaniment appears in other, less countrified songs, like the wistful "I Guess I'll Get the Papers and Go Home" and the spiritual "He Gives Me Love." The brothers unison crooning imbues these songs with heartfelt reality.

7631 CD $9.95

Their Original and Greatest Hits

The four Mills Brothers had a style that combined the best elements of vaudeville, Negro minstrelsy and the barbershop quartet with elements of the new jazz sound. Their habit of cupping their hands over their mouths to create an orchestral sound (similar to effects created by Europe's Comedy Harmonists), was a sensational factor in their success story, and appearances on popular radio programs like "Rudy Vallee's Fleishmann's Yeast Hour" led to their first million-selling record, "Tiger Rag/Nobody's Sweetheart" in 1931. The Brothers endeared themselves to movie audiences the world over with appearances on such hits as "Big Broadcast of 1932" with Bing Crosby, Kate Smith, Cab Calloway and the Boswell Sisters.

The Mills Brothers Story

This is the first comprehensive documentary about one of the most beloved vocal groups in popular music, The Mills Brothers Story is also a sprawling family saga that spans over a whopping 50 years in show business. This Storyville Films production tells of their early innovations when they would imitate the sounds of musical instruments vocally, through tragic setbacks, to their triumphant successes as both performing artists and recording stars. With film clips dating back to 1932 through their second to last performance in 1982 this film is well researched and will not only be a nostalgic journey for those who grew up with their music, but also an informative and entertaining introduction for those unfamiliar with their incredible legacy.

Watch a video

Mills Brothers:
On The Dean Martin Show

One of the most successful vocal groups ever the Mills Brothers ham it up and sing with Dean.(3.12)

Mills Brothers:
Caravan

Here's a clip from one of the earliest vocal harmony groups the Mills Brothers sing their classic all voice Caravan (2.21)

Mills Brothers:
I Believe In Santa

And who wouldn't believe in Santa after listening to this song. (2.19)

Mills Brothers:
Glow Worm

The Mills Brothers sing one of their great hits "Glow Worm". (2.23)

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