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.

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6 Comments on “My Boy Lollipop: Millie Small”

  1. Hedley's avatar Hedley Says:

    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

    • katry's avatar katry Says:

      In my memory, she is always that young girl singing My Boy Lollipop. I never saw her old.

  2. im6's avatar im6 Says:

    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

    • katry's avatar katry Says:

      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.

  3. Hedley's avatar Hedley Says:

    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

    • katry's avatar katry Says:

      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.


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