Mitch Miller Dies Aged 99

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New York (GaeaTimes.com)- Mitch Miller, one of the top music executives of the 20th Century who has guided many famous singers to the path of fame died on Saturday July 31. The man who wore a trademark Vandyke beard with a cigar dangling from his lips, died at New York City’s Lenox Hill hospital. The news of the death of Mitch Miller was confirmed by his daughter Margaret Miller Reuther to media sources. She confirmed that the legendary musician passed away after a brief illness. However, the exact cause of the death is not yet known. Mitch Miller was 99 years old.

Perhaps there was not a single soul in America during 1950s who had not crooned to the tunes of Mitch Miller, one of the most powerful music executive of the 20th century. Mitch Miller had launched the career of famous singers like Rosemary Clooney, Tony Bennett, Johnny Mathis and Patti Page. His “sing-along” albums in 1950s and 1960s sold millions of copies. It was not unusual for years to find the songs from Mitch Miller’s studio making it to the list of Top Ten of the Country’s pop chart. However, he had a deep seated antipathy for rock-and-roll and denied contracts with Columbia to Buddy Holly and Elvis Presley. He was more into pop music based on jazz and classics.

Apart from being a terrific musician, Mitch Miller is also known as one of the greatest record producers who had worked with companies like Columbia Records and Mercury Records. He also produced some master class pieces with his own band on 1950s. “The Yellow Rose of Texas” went on to become the No. 1 single of that year.