Image Credit: GAB Archive/Redferns/Getty ImagesLegendary Columbia Records executive and orchestra leader Mitch Miller died on Saturday at New York’s Lenox Hill Hospital, according to the AP. He was 99.
Miller began his career as a classical oboist and in 1936 joined the CBS Symphony Orchestra. By the end of the ’40s he was working as an A&R man and in 1950 was appointed head of Columbia’s pop music department, where he oversaw the careers of Tony Bennett, Johnny Mathis, and Rosemary Clooney amongst others.
In the late ’50s and early ’60s, Miller himself became a bestselling artist with a string of “sing along” albums which featured recordings of musical standards. He also hosted a hugely successful TV show, Sing Along with Mitch, on which Miller would encourage viewers to “follow the bouncing ball” on the screen as it tracked a song’s lyrics.
(Follow the Music Mix on Twitter: @EWMusicMix.)
More from EW.com’s Music Mix:
Lady Gaga’s naked ‘Vanity Fair’ cover
Lady Gaga rallies fans in Arizona: ‘If it wasn’t for all you immigrants, this country wouldn’t have s—.
Linkin Park release new single, video for ‘Medal of Honor’ video game; watch it here
Rainn Wilson stars in singer Ferraby Lionheart’s new ‘Harry and Bess’ clip: An EW music video exclusive
‘A Very Potter Musical’ star Darren Criss talks about his new EP and the future for Team StarKid
I grew up wth my grandparents playing his music, especially his Christmas albums. Rest in peace Mitch!
Add me to the list of those who grew up on his Christmas album; it was a staple in our house! I own the album on CD now and while my friends make fun of me for playing it, it screams childhood to me.
My mom LOVES his Christmas Albums! Sometimes you’ll catching me humming along to “Must Be Santa.”
Mine too and me too!
My mom passed out the sheets with words and we all had to sing along.
Sad news, he was one of my grandmother’s favorites, I can remember watching the TV show with her.
He was still alive? REALLY?
I was surprised, as well. Guess he successfully managed to keep an extraordinarily low profile all these years
Yep, I was also one that grew up hearing his Christmas album every Christmas morning while spending time with the family and ripping open presents and drinking hot chocolate. When I was little, his voice meant Santa had stopped by. Rest in Peace, Mitch.
Oh, the Christmas albums…I still listen to them.
I remember watching the show when I was little – the way he held his hands when he directed always kind of freaked me out!
The other thing I remember is that Bob McGrath from Seasame Street used to be in his choir.
I remember everything that everyone has said. And I remember (when he headed Columbia Records) he thought an up-and-coming singer was going to be HUGE. That singer was Barbra Streisand.
Clark, Clark, Clark. There is a word for someone who plays the oboe. It is not “oboe-ist”. Someone who plays the oboe is an “oboist”. Also, someone who CAN play the oboe but chooses NOT to is a “GENTLEMAN”.
I remember watching “Sing Along with Mitch” in the early 1960s. Bob McGrath (Bob of Sesame Street) was a young tenor with horrible teeth. Once he got his teeth fixed, he went on to better things (if you call Sesame Street better things). Rest in peace, Mitch. You brought wholesome entertainment to a lot of people.
WOW, my family watched his shows all the time, I remember a very young lady names ” Lesile Uggams” who was and is a wonderful singer.
May you rest in peace Mitch, you will be missed!!
R.I.P. Mitch!!!
Another Christmas album alumnus. Glad to hear you had a long life, and I hope it was a happy one. God bless you, Mitch!
RIP
I don’t remember too much about this guy. but he sounded like a really neat person! and may he rest in peace too!