Millie Small, a Jamaican singer renowned for her 1974 hit song, My Boy Lollipop, has passed on at 73 after suffering a stroke.
According to the Jamaica Observer, news of the singer’s death was confirmed by her friend and former producer Chris Blackwell. The singer passed away in England on Tuesday.
“I would say she’s the person who took ska international because it was her first hit record;” the Blackwell said while paying tribute to the late Jamaican star.
He also recounted how his efforts alongside Ernie Ranglin, a guitarist, saw Small’s song become the first Jamaican hit to make number one and two respectively on British and American music charts.
“It became a hit pretty much everywhere in the world. I went with her around the world because each of the territories wanted her to turn up and do TV shows,” Blackwell said.
“It was just incredible how she handled it. She was such a sweet person, really a sweet person. Very funny, great sense of humour. She was really special.”
About Millie Small
Millie Small started her career after winning the Vere Johns Opportunity Hour talent contest at the age of twelve.
She found international fame in the 1960s but retired from singing in 1970; as it “felt like the end of the dream”
Her song My Boy Lollipop was an enormous hit in 1964 and even featured in the London 2012 Olympic opening ceremony.
Speaking about her journey into the world of music in 2016, Small said:
“I was born Millicent Small to parents who worked on a sugar plantation. And, although we didn’t know anyone in the entertainment profession, I loved singing,” she told the Daily Express.
She continued: “I was 12 years old when I entered a posh talent contest called The Vere John’s Opportunity Hour at the Palladium in Montego Bay on Jamaica’s north coast, where I sang in front of 2,000 people.
“I don’t remember what I sang, but most of it was with my eyes shut because I was so shy. I won the second prize of 30 shillings and it was the beginning of my new life as a singer.”
In 2011, the veteran singer was honoured with the order of distinction in the rank of commander by the Jamaican government; in recognition of her contribution to the development of the Jamaican music industry.
Watch My Boy Lollipop below:
