Singer Millie Small, who recorded the hit single My Boy Lollipop, passed away in England this week aged 73 after suffering a stroke, confirmed her friend.
Chris Blackwell, who co-produced the song, paid tribute to the singer, describing her as ‘really special’.
He told the Jamaica Observer: ‘I would say she’s the person who took ska international because it was her first hit record.
Jamaican singer Millie Small, pictured above in the 1960s, passed away in England this week aged 73 after suffering a stroke, confirmed her friend Chris Blakewell
Small, pictured as a teenager, sold over six million records with her hit single My Boy Lollipop. Mr Blakewell said she was the ‘person who took ska international’
‘It became a hit pretty much everywhere in the world.
‘I went with her around the world because each of the territories wanted her to turn up and do TV shows and such, and it was just incredible how she handled it.
‘She was such a sweet person, really a sweet person. Very funny, great sense of humour. She was really special.’
My Boy Lollipop, recorded in 1964, became a huge hit and sold over six million records, taking ska to a worldwide audience.
RELATED ARTICLES
Previous
1
Next
Country singer Cady Groves, 30, dies from ‘natural causes’… University lecturer characterised in Netflix series The…
Share this article
Share
Actor Vas Blackwood led tributes to the singer, saying she ‘lit the fuse’ for Jamaican SKA music.
He tweeted: ‘My Boy Lollipop 1964 lit the fuse for Jamaican SKA music, her track went global making history & developed the foundational structures of Jamaican Reggae music. Sleep with angels sister Millie X’.
Other social media users paid tributes to the star, with one posting: ‘RIP Millie Small. A pioneer for Jamaican women in music!’
Another said: ‘Sad to hear that Millie Small has died, following a stroke. My Boy Lollipop was one of the first records I remember hearing and loving on the radio. Still a classic. RIP Millie.’
Small pictured on the ‘Thank Your Lucky Stars’ TV programme in the 1960s. The singer songwriter travelled to London in 1963 to develop her career
The singer arriving with Lord Montagu of Beaulieu at the Casino Cinerama Theatre in Old Compton Street, London, for the world premiere of ‘Custer of the West’
The Jamaican singer, who had an international hit with My Boy Lollipop, pictured holding a large umbrella while stood with children during her tour of Jamaica around 1966
A third added: ‘A big hit at family functions believe me. Millie Small thank you for the joy of your music! I will be playing this tune tonight!’
Small was born to parents who worked on a sugar plantation and entered a talent contest named The Vere John’s Opportunity Hour in Jamaica at the age of 12.
She came second in the contest before forming a duo with reggae artist Roy Panton, with the pair recording the song We’ll Meet.
Island Records founder Mr Blackwell helped Small to further her singing career, with the songwriter travelling to London in 1963.
She then recorded My Boy Lollipop, which became number two in the UK and number one in other parts of the world.
Small was also known for Bloodshot Eyes, Sweet William and Oh Henry.
Speaking of the song and her career, Small once told The Express in 2016: ‘Some people may not know that Rod Stewart played the harmonica on that song and he got it right on the first take; although he was just starting out like me, I knew he was going to be a big success.
Australian-born British disc jocket Alan ‘Fluff’ Freeman welcomes Jamaican singer Millie Small back to the ‘swinging’ UK in 1964, the year she recorded her hit single
Small with her backing band during a tour of Jamaica around 1966. She recorded My Boy Lollipop in 1964, which became number two in UK and number one in other parts of the world
‘My life seemed very normal to me – even though I was only 17, I took fame in its stride.
‘What helped was that I had a good manager in Chris, who looked after me like a father wherever I went.’
She appeared in a 1964 television special Around the Beatles, which featured The Beatles themselves.
Small first toured in Norway, going on to Africa, Singapore and Jamaica, alongside The Dakotas, Billy J. Kramer, Peter and Gordon and Freddie and the Dreamers.
Small stopped recording in 1970 and moved to Singapore, performing shows in New Zealand for a time.
She gave birth to her daughter Jaelee Small in 1984, who also went on to become a singer songwriter.
Small then had a ‘quiet life’, spending her time ‘sleeping and dreaming and meditating’, alongside watching documentaries and cooking.
If you have any type of concerns regarding where and the best ways to use 바카라사이트주소 – Www.Cxxk9500.com,, you could call us at our site.
When you loved this post and you wish to receive more info with regards to 바카라사이트주소 – Www.Cxxk9500.com, please visit the page.