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Borderstone · 08-03-2010, 08:08 PM

99 years and 27 days. (July 31st,2010 : natural causes)

Much more to Mitch though than Sing Along With Mitch (1960-1964).

He was head of A & R at Columbia records and signed on such acts as Johnny Mathis,Doris Day and later,before departing,Bob Dylan.

At age 94,he appeared with Dylan on PBS's Documentary "Bob Dylan : No Direction Home". broadcast on July 21st 2005.

Along with A & R work,he was also a writer,producer and an arranger and could play the oboe and a few other instrumets.
In the 50s,he realeased many of his own "Sing Along With Mitch" type albums which covered msuic from the 19th century,early 20th century,country,ragtime and standards.

On June 30th,1955 , he and his chours and orchestra recorded th Civil War song "The Yellow Rose Of Texas". It was released as a single and hit the top 40 the week of August 6th in Billboard. ( 55 years ago this week for that matter!)

It hit #1,one month later and stayed on top for 6 weeks. Ironically it booted "Rock Around The Clock" from the #1 spot.
(Ironic because Miller was opposed to Rock and Rol and would not sign any acts to Columbia for this.

He also had only four other hits : "Lisbon Antigua" /
"Song For A Summer Night" / "March On the River Kwai-Col. Bogey" and
"Children's Marching Song" (aka This Old Man or Nick Nack Paddy Wack). I own a CD & Casette of greatest hits as well as the original Yellow Rose Of Texas 45rpm with (not in great shape) picture sleeve,made of cardboard.

After Sing Along with Mitch ended,he also left Columbia as well. he mainly stayed busy with his private life but also various music projects. In 2000 he received The Grammy's "Lifetime Achievement Award.

A little numerology I happened to notice :

Mitch recorded Yellow Rose Of Texas at age 44 in '55. When you add the numbers together...you get 99!

Odd , again ,that he passed away 55 years to the week that it made the top 40. Mitch lived (within) 6 more decades after it's success. That being the second 1/2 of the 50s,then the 60s through '00-'09 and finally the start of this decade.

The final incredebility about Mitch Miller that I've always noticed. here's a man who had outlived a great ocean of the biggest names in msuic (and show business of course.)
While a number of young singers,musicians and superstars lost their lives to alcohol,drugs,car wrecks,plane crashes,suicides and other circumstances......Mitch Miller,again in the word "ironically",stayed on.

I can only conclude at this time by saying : Rest In Peace sir.

08-03-2010, 08:08 PM	#3
Borderstone Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Phoenix,Arizona -America Posts: 4,427	Re: Mitch Miller 99 years and 27 days. (July 31st,2010 : natural causes) Much more to Mitch though than Sing Along With Mitch (1960-1964). He was head of A & R at Columbia records and signed on such acts as Johnny Mathis,Doris Day and later,before departing,Bob Dylan. At age 94,he appeared with Dylan on PBS's Documentary "Bob Dylan : No Direction Home". broadcast on July 21st 2005. Along with A & R work,he was also a writer,producer and an arranger and could play the oboe and a few other instrumets. In the 50s,he realeased many of his own "Sing Along With Mitch" type albums which covered msuic from the 19th century,early 20th century,country,ragtime and standards. On June 30th,1955 , he and his chours and orchestra recorded th Civil War song "The Yellow Rose Of Texas". It was released as a single and hit the top 40 the week of August 6th in Billboard. ( 55 years ago this week for that matter!) It hit #1,one month later and stayed on top for 6 weeks. Ironically it booted "Rock Around The Clock" from the #1 spot. (Ironic because Miller was opposed to Rock and Rol and would not sign any acts to Columbia for this. He also had only four other hits : "Lisbon Antigua" / "Song For A Summer Night" / "March On the River Kwai-Col. Bogey" and "Children's Marching Song" (aka This Old Man or Nick Nack Paddy Wack). I own a CD & Casette of greatest hits as well as the original Yellow Rose Of Texas 45rpm with (not in great shape) picture sleeve,made of cardboard. After Sing Along with Mitch ended,he also left Columbia as well. he mainly stayed busy with his private life but also various music projects. In 2000 he received The Grammy's "Lifetime Achievement Award. A little numerology I happened to notice : Mitch recorded Yellow Rose Of Texas at age 44 in '55. When you add the numbers together...you get 99! Odd , again ,that he passed away 55 years to the week that it made the top 40. Mitch lived (within) 6 more decades after it's success. That being the second 1/2 of the 50s,then the 60s through '00-'09 and finally the start of this decade. The final incredebility about Mitch Miller that I've always noticed. here's a man who had outlived a great ocean of the biggest names in msuic (and show business of course.) While a number of young singers,musicians and superstars lost their lives to alcohol,drugs,car wrecks,plane crashes,suicides and other circumstances......Mitch Miller,again in the word "ironically",stayed on. I can only conclude at this time by saying : Rest In Peace sir. __________________ "A knight of the road,going back to a place where he might get warm." - Borderstone Last edited by Borderstone; 08-03-2010 at 08:33 PM.