Who is Millie Small

Millie Small's singing career began when she was still a teenager. She became a popular artist in the West Indies and was one of the few female performers to be involved in the branch of R&B music that grew in those islands, called 'Ska'. Her early local successes were made as half of a duet called 'Roy And Millie'. The other half was called Roy Panton. She recorded as half of 'Owen & Millie' (Owen Gray) and 'Jackie & Millie' (Jackie Edwards). These record releases were on labels like 'Studio One', 'Island' and the legendary 'Blue Beat'. In fact she was to become known in the West Indies as the 'Blue Beat Girl' and 'Ska' is still known by many people as 'blue beat'. Millie was brought to Britain during 1963 by Chris Blackwell, who later made an effort to promote Reggae in the UK. Her first UK release 'Don't You Know' owed less to her Ska background, being accompanied by an orchestra conducted by Lord Rockingham's Harry Robinson. It didn't sell too badly but Millie's unique high pitched style wasn't enough to get it into the chart. However, her second release was a stronger song and was based more closely to the West Indian rhythms she was accustomed to. It became a massive hit on both sides of the Atlantic, reaching number 2 in the U.S. chart as well as in Britain. Sadly, despite the great success of the record, it did not set a new musical style in people's awareness. 'My Boy Lollipop' was simply regarded by most record buyers at the time as an item of delightful, but lightweight 'pop' . (Incidentally the record is alleged by some to have a young Rod Stewart on harmonica). Although she had a couple of further minor hits, she never managed to consolidate her famous smash. But never call her a one-time-hit-wonder. Her "My Boy Lollipop"-album has some great songs, and it deserves a re-issue on CD. To please the fans it was released in 2007 in Japan on high quality vinyl.