Orchestra Conductor Mitch Miller Dies at 99
“Rock ‘n’ roll is musical baby food: it is the worship of mediocrity, brought about by a passion for conformity.”–Mitch Miller in “New Musical Express,” January 1958
American conductor, musician, singer and record company executive Mitch Miller died on July 31, 2010 at the age of 99.
Miller is known as one of the most influential figures in popular music during the 1950s and 1960 as a best-selling recording artist and as the head of the Artists and Repertoire at Columbia Records. Some say Miller invented karaoke with his NBC television series called “Sing Along with Mitch.”
Mitch began his music career in the early 1930s, after graduating from the Eastman School of Music of the University of Rochester in Rochester, New York. In addition to being a singer, Miller was an accomplished classical oboe and English horn player, and his works are recorded in several classical music albums.
However, despite Miller’s singing, television and recording career, he was best known for his work as a conductor and choral director. Orchestras Miller conducted included the London Symphony Orchestra in a well-received recording of Gershwin’s popular songs, “An American in Paris,” “Rhapsody in Blue,” and “Concerto in F.” Miller was also the conductor of regional orchestras and The Boston Pops Orchestra as a special guest. In 2000, Miller received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award for his work as the guest conductor of several top orchestras.
Miller died after experiencing a “short illness,” according to the Associated Press. His son Mitchell, daughters Margaret and Andrea, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and his brothers Leon and Joseph survive Miller. Miller’s daughter, Margaret, told the AP a memorial service in her father’s honor would take place this fall.
[photo: Wikipedia]
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