Mitch Miller was a legendary figure in the American music industry, who influenced the careers of many singers and popularized the sing along genre. He was also a talented oboist, conductor, and record producer. He died on July 31, 2010, at the age of 99, after a short illness. What was the cause of his death and how did he live his remarkable life?
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Early Life and Musical Career
Mitchell William Miller was born on July 4, 1911, in Rochester, New York, to a Jewish family of Russian immigrants. He learned to play the piano at six and the oboe at 12. He attended the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, where he met his lifelong friend Goddard Lieberson, who later became the president of Columbia Records.
Miller moved to New York City in the 1930s and played the oboe with various orchestras and ensembles, including the CBS Symphony Orchestra, the Alec Wilder Octet, and the Budapest String Quartet. He also worked with famous composers and musicians such as George Gershwin, Charlie Parker, Frank Sinatra, and Leopold Stokowski. He gave the American premiere of Richard Strauss’s Oboe Concerto in 1948.
Record Producer and A&R Man
In the late 1940s, Miller became a record producer and an artists and repertoire (A&R) man for Mercury Records and then Columbia Records. He was responsible for discovering and promoting many singers such as Tony Bennett, Frankie Laine, Patti Page, Johnnie Ray, Guy Mitchell, Rosemary Clooney, and Doris Day. He also produced novelty songs and hits such as “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”, “The Yellow Rose of Texas”, “Mule Train”, and “Jezebel”.
Miller had a distinctive style of arranging and producing songs, using unusual instruments such as harpsichords and French horns, overdubbing techniques, echo chambers, and catchy rhythms. He also had a strong influence on the musical tastes of the American public, often choosing songs that he liked rather than following trends. He was known for his opposition to rock and roll music, which he considered noisy and vulgar. He famously refused to renew Frank Sinatra’s contract in 1952 because he did not want to change his style.
Sing Along with Mitch
Miller’s most successful venture was his sing along series of albums and television shows. He came up with the idea in 1958, drawing on a repertoire of songs that ordinary people had sung in churches and parlors for decades. He recorded the first “Sing Along with Mitch” album with a male chorus and lyrics printed on the cover. The album was a huge hit and spawned more than 20 follow-ups.
In 1961, Miller adapted his sing along concept for television on NBC. The show “Sing Along with Mitch” featured Miller conducting his chorus and guest stars such as Johnny Mathis, Leslie Uggams, and Mahalia Jackson. The viewers were encouraged to join in by following a bouncing ball that highlighted the words on the screen. The show was a mainstay of family entertainment for four years and returned in reruns in 1966.
Later Years and Death
After leaving Columbia Records in 1965, Miller continued to perform and record music. He also served as a guest conductor for symphony orchestras across the country. He appeared on several television shows such as “The Muppet Show”, “Saturday Night Live”, and “Sesame Street”. He also wrote an autobiography titled “Making Music Matter” in 1979.
Miller died on July 31, 2010, at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City after a short illness. His daughter Margaret Miller Reuther said that he had been healthy until a few weeks before his death. She did not specify the cause of his death but said that it was not related to any chronic condition. According to Wikipedia, Miller’s cause of death was undisclosed.
Miller is survived by his two daughters Margaret and Andrea Miller; his son Mitchell Jr.; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. His wife Frances Alexander Miller died in 2000.
Mitch Miller was a musical icon who left behind a legacy of songs that millions of people enjoyed singing along with him. He was also a visionary who shaped the American music industry with his talent and taste. He will be remembered as one of the most influential figures in popular music history.
