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MILLIE SMALL Jamaican teenager Millicent Small (her reported date of birth varies from 1942 to 1948) made local successes as half of a duo called 'Roy And Millie' - the other half was Roy Panton. She also recorded as half of 'Owen & Millie' (with Owen Gray) and 'Jackie & Millie' (with Jackie Edwards). In late 1963 Chris Blackwell discovered her and brought her to England. Her recording of 'My Boy Lollipop', cut in London by a group of session musicians that included guitarist Ernest Ranglin (and, according to some accounts, Rod Stewart on harmonica) and featuring her childlike, extremely high-pitched vocals, was the first (and indeed, one of the few) international ska hits. It remains one of the biggest-selling reggae or ska discs of all time with more than six million sales. Despite the great success of the record, it did not set a new musical style in people's awareness. 'My Boy Lollipop' was simply regarded by most record buyers at the time as an item of delightful, but lightweight, 'pop'. Although Millie had a couple of further minor hits, she never managed to consolidate her famous smash. In 1970, Millie recorded a song in the Spanish language. Discography Mi Chiquitito/Time Will Tell, Fontana (A Trojan Recording) 60 64 023 (1970) |