Lucky Millinder

Lucky Millinder ( born August 8, 1900 in Anniston, Alabama, † September 28, 1966 in New York City ), actually Lucius Venable Millinder, was an American R & B and swing bandleader and singer.

Life

Born in Alabama, raised in Chicago, Millinder worked in the late 1920s as a dancer, singer and bandleader. He could neither read music nor play an instrument, but he was successful with his music.

In June 1930 he toured with a band in Europe, to which the singer Freddy Taylor belonged, with performances in Monte Carlo and Paris, in October 1933, he came back only to New York. After his return, he was Head of the end of 1933 Mills Blue Rhythm Band, where he remained until 1938. On December 4, 1933 Millinder made ​​first recordings with the Mills Blue Rhythm Band, namely Drop Me Off In Harlem and Love Is The Thing. In January 1936, the Mills Blue Rhythm band brought the single Broken Dreams of You / Yes! Yes! out under his direction, it was followed in July 1937 The Image of You / Lucky Swing. As early as December 1934 composed Millinder also pieces for the Mills Blue Rhythm Band, such as the hit Ride Red Ride or St. Louis Wiggle Rhythm (May 1936).

From 1938 he took over the band of Bill Doggett, because this was temporarily insolvent and his band members could no longer pay. Later, however, Doggett recovered financially and delivered from big hits.

In September 1940 he put together his own band; among them were Buster Bailey ( clarinet), Bill Doggett ( piano ), the drummer "Panama" Francis; later also played Sir Charles Thompson and Eddie " Lockjaw " Davis (both saxophone). As a singer Sister Rosetta Tharpe were, Wynonie Harris and " Big" John Greer used. He could end up with Big Fat Mama ( with Trevor Bacon as a singer ) a first hit; his earlier hit parade success When The Lights Go On Again / That's All was equal to the number 1 R & B singles chart. Also Apollo Jump and Sweet Slumber came up to the top position. From 1944 he was recruited as a singer Wynonie Harris, the DERs to Milli 's biggest hit Who Threw The Wiskey in the Well? contributed the song. Now was Milli DERs band with four consecutive top rankings in the charts one of the most successful artists of the Decca label.

When King Records he was already a composer with Henry Glover in Love Me Tonight for Bull Moose Jackson, recorded on January 5, 1949 and has emerged subsequent shots. The official change to King Records was completed in July 1950. Here he helped out with other bands, such as at Bull Moose Jackson Big Fat Mamas Are Back In Style Again ( King 4412 ), which was created on May 4, 1951. However, King Records put out seven singles, until finally with Bongo Boogie / I'm Waiting Just for You Millinder with a second place again could reach the R & B charts. When BMI are registered, of which three received a BMI Award for Millinder total of 49 compositions.

In 1952 he dissolved his band. In later years he eked out a living as a salesman and disc jockey. Millinder recruited for his orchestra talented personnel, could make use of the many later solo artists career. He was an excellent organizer, developed an ear for sounds complicated and understood the depths of the music business.

Discography ( Singles, in parentheses recorded date)

  • Big Fat Mama / Trouble in Mind ( Decca 4041 ), October 1941
  • Ride, Red, Ride / Hey Huss! ( Decca 4146 ), January 1942
  • Trouble In Mind / Ride, Red Ride ( Decca 18353 ), June 27, 1941
  • I Want A Tall Skinny Papa / Shout, Sister Shout ( Decca 18496 ), February 18, 1942 / September 5, 1941
  • When The Lights go on again / That's All ( Decca 18496 ), July 29, 1942 / November 6, 1941
  • Savoy / Rock Me ( Decca 18353 ), February 18, 1942 / September 5, 1941
  • Are You Ready? / Apollo Jump ( Decca 18529 ), July 29, 1942 / September 5, 1941
  • Do not Cry Baby / Sweet Slumber ( Decca 18569 ), October 19, 1943
  • Hurry, Hurry / I Can not See For Lookin ' ( Decca 18609 ), May 25, 1944
  • Who Threw The Wiskey In The Well / Shipyard Social Function ( Decca 18674 ), May 25, 1944 / October 19, 1943
  • Darlin '/ All The Time ( Decca 18779 ), May 25, 1944 / June 22, 1945
  • There 's Good Blues Tonight / Chitlin Time ( Decca 18835 ), February 26, 1946
  • Shorty's Got To Go / Some Day ( Decca 18867 ), February 26, 1946 / June 22, 1945
  • D' Natural Blues / Girl Do not Cry (Victor 20-3351 ) January 3, 1949
  • Moanin 'The Blues / How Would You Know? (Victor 20-3430 ), February 25, 1949
  • I Is not Got Nothin ' To Lose / Tomorrow ( Victor 20-3495 ) January 3, 1949
  • I'll Never Be Free / Journey's End (RCA Victor 47-3128 ), January 1951
  • My Little Baby / Let It Roll Again ( King 4379 ), July 1950
  • Clap Your Hands / Who Said Shorty Was not Coming Back (King 4398 ), October 1950
  • Silent George / Oh, baby (King 4418 ), October 18, 1950
  • Teardrops from My Eyes / Please Open Your Heart (King 4419 ), October 18, 1950
  • The Jumpin ' Jack / Mister Trumpet Man (King 4436 ), March 1951
  • Chew Tobacco Rag / Georgia Rose (King 4449 ), February 28, 1951
  • Bongo Boogie / I'm Waiting Just For You (King 4453 ), May 1951
  • The Grape Vine / No One Else Could Be (King 4476 ), June 29, 1951 / July 1, 1951
  • It's Been A Long Long Time / The Right Kind Of Lovin ' (King 4496 ), June 29, 1951
Anniston (Alabama) Panama Francis Charles Thompson (jazz) Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis Big John Greer King Records (United States) Integrated Authority File
532659
de