Mitch Miller (1911-2010)

I read this morning of the passing of music icon Mitch Miller at 99. Remembered largely for his 1961-64 NBC series, Sing Along With Mitch, spun off from a series of albums under the same name, Miller was also an influential record producer at first Mercury, and later, Columbia. His distaste for rock music, however, prevented Columbia from signing some of the bigger stars of the early years of rock, including Elvis Presley and Buddy Holly.

Miller and his chorale are perhaps best known for their renditions of "The Yellow Rose of Texas" and the theme from "Bridge Over the River Kwai". However, Miller alienated artists like Rosemary Clooney & Frank Sinatra by insisting on them recording "novelty" songs, which prompted both singers to leave Columbia. Miller discovered Aretha Franklin, only to lose her when she signed with Atlantic, which offered the "Queen of Soul" greater artistic freedom. Miller's last known television appearances came in the mid-90's in a pair of specials for PBS, which probably will bring those shows back during the next pledge drive.

One of the hallmarks of Sing Along With Mitch was the use of a bouncing ball accompanying the lyrics so the audience could follow the song. This practice had previously been used in cartoons, among other places, and it can be said that Miller may have been one of the fathers of karaoke, which challenges barroom singers to try to sing without looking back at the screen to read the lyrics.

Rest in peace, Mitch.