Logo

More Than Just Sing Along: The Man Who Practically Defined Pop Music For Columbia Records in the 1950s–And Who Declined to Pay Elvis His Asking Price to Be on the Label–Dies at Age 99

Aug 2, 2010  •  Post A Comment

One of the most influential people in pop music in the 1950s and early 1960s, who became a TV icon as well, has died at the age of 99, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

He was Mitch Miller, familiar to baby boomers and those older for "Sing Along With Mitch," which ran on NBC from 1961-66.

Miller, who had recently been ill and passed away at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City was quite powerful in the music business as a top executive at Columbia Records in the 1950s and early 1960s, helping to guide the careers of Patti Page, Tony Bennett, Johnny Mathis and Rosemary Clooney, among others.

Reportedly he diestained rock ‘n’ roll, though he was willing to sign Elvis Presley to the label, but he refused to meet the price of Elvis’ business manager, Colonel Parker. Presley then signed with RCA.

11 Comments

  1. Distained? Don’t you mean disdained?

  2. Distained — Ah, just another case of someone claiming to be a writer just because he can figure out what the letters are on a keyboard.

  3. C’mon readers, what’s a little typo? We’re talking about the death of a legend! I loved Mitch Miller when I was a little kid. My whole family used to enjoy watching “Sing Along with Mitch”. He made singing along fun.

  4. Don’t you people have proof readers? How can you make such a mistake?
    Sorry about Mitch. He was a legend.
    He had a long and productive life.

  5. I remember the show. Wondered why there were no women on the shows I saw.
    He was great.
    “Oh When You’re Smiling . . . ”

  6. You must not have watched very much. Mitch introduced Leslie Uggams to most of America through that show.

  7. This is an interesting topic.Like to discuss some more posts on this.

  8. Your website came up in my research and I’m taken by what you have written on this topic. I am presently extending my enquiry and thus cannot contribute further, nonetheless, I’ve bookmarked your internet site and will be returning to keep up with any next updates. Just Now love it and gives thanks for tolerating my remark.

  9. Interesting thoughts here. I appreciate you taking the time to share them with us all. It’s people like you that make my day 🙂

  10. I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you create this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz reply back as I’m looking to create my own blog and would like to know wheere u got this from. thanks

  11. Wow, amazing blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging look easy.

Leave a Reply to Buy Backlinks Cancel Reply

Email (will not be published)