My Boy Lollipop: Millie Small
Millie Small, the Jamaican singer whose 1964 hit, “My Boy Lollipop,” introduced the upbeat rhythms of ska to international audiences, died on Tuesday in London. She was 73.
Millie Small, the Jamaican singer whose 1964 hit, “My Boy Lollipop,” introduced the upbeat rhythms of ska to international audiences, died on Tuesday in London. She was 73.
May 9, 2020 at 4:01 pm
This made me so terribly sad. I remember a very young Millie bouncing around on the TV screen singing “My Boy Lollypop”
Meanwhile Bob is #1 at Amazon in CD and vinyl sales…what does that tell you
May 9, 2020 at 4:39 pm
In my memory, she is always that young girl singing My Boy Lollipop. I never saw her old.
May 9, 2020 at 6:15 pm
An interesting history to the song. Millie’s version is actually a cover of the song which was done 8 years earlier (1956) by Barbie Gaye, a 14-year-old from Coney Island. I think it’s Barbie’s is the better version, but I guess timing is everything. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1OYZ1PZtV0
May 9, 2020 at 6:29 pm
I agree that the Barbara Gaye version is better. I don’t know why Millie had the hit. If this were a regular postin, I’d post the original.
May 10, 2020 at 9:47 am
She exploded on British TV, the trail blazer for Jamaica, Island records, ska and reggae, and Rod on harmonica. She was vivacious and fun and then disappeared perhaps in to poverty and homelessness
It was a time of social change and dislodgment lead by music. Heck, next I will be arguing the social significance of Freddie and the Dreamers
May 10, 2020 at 11:39 am
My Dear Hedley,
She was only 17 when this song became a hit. I had listened to the Gaye version and loved the saxophone solo, but it was Millie’s day to be remembered.
Music complemented the times, and, in some cases, led the way.