I heard her song yesterday and I was taken back to my elementary school days. I was in grade 2 when I first heard her version of My Boy Lollipop in 1967. I only learned some ten years ago that this beautiful song was the work of a Jamaican Princess. May her memory live on forever.
The song “My BOY LOLLIPOP” was written in the mid 1959’s by a friend of my Uncle’s who was in THE CADILLACS named MR.ROBERT SPENCER the song was released in 1956 and it performed by 13 year old MS. BARBIE GAYE from Brooklyn New York. 9 years prior to MS. SMALLS rendition which was an exact copy vocally and musically of what was recorded by MS.GAYE on DARL records.
Japan a take on to Reggae long long long before the slave empire Reggae could never more our European country even taking to reggae before that place fix 🆙 your talk
As an international traveler, Edgar Allan Poe scholar, and Childe Harold of the universe, who instantly and intuitively comprehends originality and genius, I am a devotee of Millie Small. She passed into the rarefied dimension of the cosmos that Lord Buddha, Shinron Shonan, of Japan, called "The Pure Land." Let my dust intermingle with hers during the voyage called eternity.
More excellent history. To add to the story a bit - Blackwell was already running a label called Blue Beat Records that specialized in reprints of Jamaican releases, mainly Ska and Boogie Woogie. They had enough success with these releases that it was worth signing an artist and funding a recording. They'd actually already gone as far as bringing over Jamaican artists before Millie as well. So Blackwell hearing her recording wasn't by accident. And apparently they really didn't make a killing from the record, although it did fund their work with other artists. Island made it's real money putting out English folk records in the late 1960s, weirdly enough. The label's first #1 charting single was actually "Video Killed The Radio Star" in 1979.
isn't it better to say "The first international Jamaican Superstar"? I think the first international reggae superstar was Desmond. Dekker. Really enjoyed your post!
If you compare the original version by Barbie Gaye with the (almost) copy by Millie Small, then you can already see the enormous influence of the USA "shuffle" on the early Ska (besides "mento" and the in those days very daring input of the Rastra drums on "Oh Carolina" by The Folkes Brothers & Count Ossie - production Prince Buster - way before Shaggy made that song a hit). For example, the "shuffles" by (the unfortunately largely forgotten) Rosco Gordon were extremely popular in Jamaica. How "ska" originated exactly (there are countless stories by and about countless "inventors") no one knows. As was the case with for instance the Blues and the New Orleans Jazz: no one was walking around who meticulously wrote down all the developments. But that the "shuffle" played an important role, that is evident.
pre ska was called shuffle beat,not alot of people know this and think ska was late fifties ,infact ska was 1963,roy panton and millie were a duet pre her hit single
Millie was on the verge of raggae, but I thought she was primarily ska in her recordings, the precursor to raggae, which was not mentioned in the article.
Does anybody out there know who was the father of Ms. Smalls daughter was ? i keep hearing about women having children without any information of who the other party was .
She was amazing. Love her music and her voice, and had the most beautiful smile.
RIP Millie...you are sorely missed. Keep flying with the angels
I was 9 years old when I first heard Lollipop - still a favorite today
She was beautiful ❤
Such a beautiful and, at the same time, sad story.
I am crying as I am listening to thus biography of this wonderful lady .RIP Millie
Loved My boy lollipop and Desmond Decker The Israelites at that time in New Zealand..
I’M STILL IN LOVE WITH MILLIE SMALL
You sure tell a good story full of detail, and your voice and tone brings a balance to the subject,
RIP Sister Millie.
Thanks for the support 🙌
I heard her song yesterday and I was taken back to my elementary school days. I was in grade 2 when I first heard her version of My Boy Lollipop in 1967. I only learned some ten years ago that this beautiful song was the work of a Jamaican Princess. May her memory live on forever.
Reggae Appreciation Society...keep doing a phenomenal job of curating Jamaican Musical History!!!! Cheers
"My Boy Lollipop"! Big tune
Excellent !
Thank you for setting the record straight.
Yes, Millie opened the door to the world !
Bill P.
“What Am I living for” was a big hit too, I’m sure. I can still hear that blaring out of the radio in 1964.
Great content and delivery...BIG UP! Sugar Minot pls
Ms Small..and SMALL is not who she was...HUGE, is who she will alwaze be in my mind, heart and soul... Thx to the voice of R.A.S ‼🌞🌿🙋🏼♀
So both countries are just as important when it comes to reggae
She launched a future iconic label.
As I always said Reggae made in Jamaica, but designed and upscaled in the UK
Millie was ream. RIP.
The song “My BOY LOLLIPOP” was written in the mid 1959’s by a friend of my Uncle’s who was in THE CADILLACS named MR.ROBERT SPENCER the song was released in 1956 and it performed by 13 year old MS. BARBIE GAYE from Brooklyn New York. 9 years prior to MS. SMALLS rendition which was an exact copy vocally and musically of what was recorded by MS.GAYE on DARL records.
Interesting. Thanks for sharing
i'm glad you posted this, I was just about to post it myself! It was more of a rockabilly sound, I've heard it previously
I'm enjoying your videos on the soundtrack of my life!
Well, an aspect of it at least - thanks again.
My late uncle wrote her letters and she replied him once. He kept until he died.
So Chris Blackwell is human after all 😅
can i read that letter?
Chris Blackwell human ? Don't be ridiculous.
her smile ......beautiful
wow thanks for this. Know that song but not the background. Keep up the good work
Thank you for this upload. I love Millie's voice and infectious smile
A lot of Jamaicans should respect the UK, because without the UK reggae would have been forgotten
Barrington Levy says this all the time
Japan a take on to Reggae long long long before the slave empire Reggae could never more our European country even taking to reggae before that place fix 🆙 your talk
@@ReggaeAppreciationSocietyGood one ,lObe mistake though,Desmond and Millie weren't reggae artist 👍
And we do
@@staminadonlie that ., Japan started in the 70s ,UK been FUQING with reggae since 1960s
wow i never knew milli small came here to new zealand so cool
R. I. P, Milly, your was the best.
As an international traveler, Edgar Allan Poe scholar, and Childe Harold of the universe, who instantly and intuitively comprehends originality and genius, I am a devotee of Millie Small. She passed into the rarefied dimension of the cosmos that Lord Buddha, Shinron Shonan, of Japan, called "The Pure Land." Let my dust intermingle with hers during the voyage called eternity.
Mabuhay Jamaica😊
Wow good to know ... ❤❤❤ Ms Small
First international Jamaican ska female superstar….. Millie Small…. Prince first Jamaican ska male superstar….
Mi luv Milli.
Greatness
She was ska’s first global superstar.
More excellent history. To add to the story a bit - Blackwell was already running a label called Blue Beat Records that specialized in reprints of Jamaican releases, mainly Ska and Boogie Woogie. They had enough success with these releases that it was worth signing an artist and funding a recording. They'd actually already gone as far as bringing over Jamaican artists before Millie as well. So Blackwell hearing her recording wasn't by accident. And apparently they really didn't make a killing from the record, although it did fund their work with other artists. Island made it's real money putting out English folk records in the late 1960s, weirdly enough. The label's first #1 charting single was actually "Video Killed The Radio Star" in 1979.
My Boy Lollipop was not reggae, it was pop. It was her only hit at least in America.
isn't it better to say "The first international Jamaican Superstar"? I think the first international reggae superstar was Desmond. Dekker. Really enjoyed your post!
If you compare the original version by Barbie Gaye with the (almost) copy by Millie Small, then you can already see the enormous influence of the USA "shuffle" on the early Ska (besides "mento" and the in those days very daring input of the Rastra drums on "Oh Carolina" by The Folkes Brothers & Count Ossie - production Prince Buster - way before Shaggy made that song a hit).
For example, the "shuffles" by (the unfortunately largely forgotten) Rosco Gordon were extremely popular in Jamaica.
How "ska" originated exactly (there are countless stories by and about countless "inventors") no one knows. As was the case with for instance the Blues and the New Orleans Jazz: no one was walking around who meticulously wrote down all the developments.
But that the "shuffle" played an important role, that is evident.
pre ska was called shuffle beat,not alot of people know this and think ska was late fifties ,infact ska was 1963,roy panton and millie were a duet pre her hit single
Chinese helped the reggae industry.
Let them remember,
I make the hits.
I tell the DJs, what to play
Nice one
Millie was on the verge of raggae, but I thought she was primarily ska in her recordings, the precursor to raggae, which was not mentioned in the article.
What makes this great song Raggae? Is it the beat,or the instruments,or what? Just curious.
I had no idea the song was supposed to be reggae either when I first heard it and now I'm also curious!
Did Payola play a part in getting Lollipop to be a hit in my USA?
no,it was the worlds affair in 1964,with the promotion of the ska beat lead by byron lee and the ska all atars
Mod Rudeboy en Skinhead fav for sure
Does anybody out there know who was the father of Ms. Smalls daughter was ? i keep hearing about women having children without any information of who the other party was .
I am very surprised that she lost all her money.
😂❤🎉🎉ur a Excellent storyteller jah blessings mi Bredda ?are y fr Ghana?
Thank you mi lioness ✌️ No I'm not from Ghana
The way he pronounced "nine" got me wondering if he was Ghanaian
Prince Buster
yes,if not for the king of ska,reggae would still be under ground,prince buster is ans will be jamaicas biggest super star
She was into Ska first
The poor lady ended up a drug addict selling her self around Victoria, London. RIP.
its roy panton,not ray