Mitch Miller died yesterday at age 99. On my honeymoon in 1960, my wife and I were in Hollywood and we decided to go to the Ambassador Hotel’s Cocoanut Grove to see Johnny Mathis. As we were standing in line, I turned around and Mitch Miller was standing directly behind us. When we were led to our seats, I noticed we had a better seat than him!
I have a few of the little Golden Record series featuring Anne Lloyd and the Sandpipers with Mitch Miller and his orchestra.
Facebook
Twitter
Press
Contact
Allee Willis
Mitch Miller was one of those rare people in the record business who had a seriously widespread career. Not only did he have hit records, most notably “The Yellow Rose of Texas”, but he was also President of Columbia Records for years. I always remembered him as a kid because he had a pointy head and goatee. I got to see him once when I worked at Columbia Records Рhe had long departed as President Рbut he looked exactly the same.
Love that you saw Johnny Mathis at the Coconut Grove. He was at his height in 1960. That was the year I really got into pop music. I would have hyperventilated if I had been standing between Johnny Mathis and Mitch Miller.
I love Golden Records. There was nothing better than colored vinyl either.
I love that the B. side is “Christmas Chopsticks”.
Bob Ramsdell
I have several more of the Little Golden series that I may put in, all with Mitch Miller. When my wife and I walked across to our seats, we went by Jacques Bergerac who gave an admiring look at my wife. I told he about the incident and she said “did not” and I said “did too” until the show came on. After his show we stopped at the Crescendo. It was near the end of June Christy’s show, but the usher let us stand at the back and she ended her show with “Play Misty For Me”. The end of a great evening in Hollywood.
Bob Ramsdell, Albany, Oregon
Allee Willis
Yes, more Golden Records please!