Selling more than 50 million records while breaking racial barriers, they are one of music history's best-loved and most influential groups. Today, we'll enjoy some rare videos of their live performances.
Celebrating the Legacy of the Mills Brothers - Sometimes referred to as “The Four Mills Brothers,” they broke both racial and musical barriers, having a lasting impact on our society and the music industry. They were the first African-American performers to have a network show on radio, performing with CBS Radio in 1930. Many of their songs sold over a million copies. The popularity of the Mills Brothers was impressive, especially during a time when African-American performers faced relentless prejudice.
The Mills Brothers - The Mills Brothers, sometimes billed The Four Mills Brothers, and originally known as Four Boys and a Guitar, made more than 2,000 recordings that sold more than 50 million copies and garnered at least three dozen gold records. They also made appearances in film, and were the first to have a No. 1 hit on the Billboard singles chart, with "Paper Doll" in 1943.
The Great and Rare Mills Brothers Story (Part 1) - This three-part 1986 biographical video tells the 50-year story of the group from the beginning. Part 2. Part 3. Includes clips of them singing many of their greatest hits.
Tiger Rag - An early hit that first brought significant public notice of the group and launched them on the path to stardom. Performed here in the 1932 movie, The Big Broadcast.
Paper Doll - Probably the Mills Brothers' best-known hit, it held the top spot on the Billboard chart for 12 weeks. It is one of fewer than 40 recordings that have sold 10 million copies.
Glow Worm - Another chart-topping hit. Here performed on the Nat King Cole television show.
Lazy River - Another chart-topping hit. Performed here on the Ed Sullivan Show.
Lazy River (Performed with the Jackson 5) - Two completely different generations of musical power come together, and the result is amazing.
How'm I Doin, Hey, Hey - In one of their earliest video recordings, here they are performing in the movie, Twenty Million Sweethearts.