The Mills Brothers

The Mills Brothers, an American jazz and pop vocal quartet consisting of four brothers—John Jr. (bass/guitar), Herbert (tenor), Harry (baritone), and Donald (tenor)—were born in Piqua, Ohio to parents John H. and Eathel Mills. The group began performing locally, imitating instruments with their voices while John Jr. played the ukulele or guitar. Their unique sound was inspired by their father's barbershop quartet, The Four Kings of Harmony, and their early experiences singing in church choirs.
Their breakthrough came in 1928 when they accompanied the Harold Greenameyer Band for an audition at WLW radio station in Cincinnati. They were selected over the band and soon became local radio stars, catching the attention of Seger Ellis, a prominent radio personality. With Ellis's support, The Mills Brothers quickly rose to prominence, impressing jazz icon Duke Ellington during a concert in Cincinnati. This led to their first recording contract with Okeh Records.
In September 1930, The Mills Brothers signed a three-year contract with CBS after impressing William S. Paley with their recording of "Tiger Rag". Their first single, also titled "Tiger Rag", was released by Brunswick Records and became a national hit. They followed this success with hits such as "Goodbye Blues" and "You're Nobody's Sweetheart Now", solidifying their status as rising stars in the music industry. The group remained with Brunswick Records until 1934 before moving to Decca Records, where they stayed through the 1950s.
The Mills Brothers also made significant inroads into film, appearing in musicals like "The Big Broadcast" and "Twenty Million Sweethearts." They collaborated with other notable artists of the time, including Bing Crosby. John Jr.'s death from pneumonia in 1936 was a devastating blow to the group. However, at the insistence of their mother, Eathel Mills, they decided to continue performing. John Sr. took over his son's role as baritone and tuba player.
The group continued to release hits such as "Lazy River" and "Swing Is the Thing", and they performed for royalty including King George V during a tour of England. During World War II, they recorded songs like "Caravan" and "South of the Border", which became popular among troops and civilians alike. In 1943, Gene Smith temporarily replaced Harry during his military service.
Throughout their career, The Mills Brothers produced over 2,000 recordings, sold 50 million records, and received at least 35 gold records. They were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1998, cementing their legacy as one of the most influential vocal groups in American music history. Harry's passing in 1982 marked a significant loss for the group, but their musical contributions continue to be celebrated and enjoyed by fans worldwide.