Millie Small, the vivacious star most famous for her hit single My Boy Lollipop, has passed away at the age of 73. According to various reports she died in the UK after suffering a massive stroke.
Her song My Boy Lollipop reached number two in both the US and the UK in 1964 and became Jamaica's first million-selling single, according to the National Library of Jamaica. It remains one of the biggest selling ska songs of all time with over seven million copies sold worldwide.
Millie Small was born in Clarendon, South Jamaica, one of seven brothers and five sisters, she was raised on the sugar plantation where her father was an overseer. At the tender age of 12, she entered and won the Vere Johns Opportunity Hour Talent Contest – the bug had bitten and in an effort to pursue a career as a singer she moved in with some relatives in Kingston. She went on to secure a recording deal with Sir Coxone Dodd's Studio One label in Kingston and it was not long before she was noticed by Island Records founder, Chris Blackwell. Blackwell was to become her ticket to international stardom.
He eventually became her legal guardian and brought her to London in 1963 where he produced her version of My Boy Lollipop. Blackwell took to social media to express his sadness at the passing of the woman he described as "the person who took ska international".
Since news of her passing broke, tributes have been pouring in. Island Records said on Instagram, “We are incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of Millie Small. She was a true legend and an incredible human. She will be dearly missed. Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this time.”
Even the Frickley Atheltic Club paid tribute saying, “A beautiful voice and a beautiful woman. As soon as the football starts again we'll be booming this round the wezzie in tribute to the incomparable Millie Small. Have a drink for her tonight, and mourn one of the greats”.https://youtu.be/HiuPND4W6KM
The All-Star West Coast Jamaican Jazz Orchestra also paid their respects to Small writing on Instagram,” Millie Small, RIP. Another Jamaican legend moves on to the grand stage in the sky. Your contribution to Jamaican Music was undeniable, Millie! We love you! ♥ #milliesmall #Jamaica #ska
Take a trip down memory lane – may you RIP Millie Small.
