From:   "Dik de Heer" 
Date:  Fri Aug 8, 2003  1:17 am
Subject:  Born To Be With You : Lucky Millinder
 
LUCKY MILLINDER

Born Lucius Venable Millinder, 8 August 1900, Anniston, Alabama
Died 28 September 1966, New York City, New York

In the 1940s, the Lucky Millinder Orchestra provided a vital link
between big band swing and rhythm & blues. It is said that Millinder
didn't play any instrument and couldn't read music. But, with the
natural instincts of a true showman, Lucky fronted an always lively
and exciting orchestra and played a crucial role in the early develop-
ment of jump blues. His band included many future stars of R & B
and jazz, such as Dizzy Gillespie, Henry 'Red' Allen, Harry 'Sweets'
Edison and Charlie Shavers (all on trumpets). Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis, 
Freddie Webster, Tab Smith and Bullmoose Jackson (doubling as 
vocalist) were the sax men and there were such pianists as Bill Doggett, 
Billy Kyle and Ellis Larkins. Drummer David "Panama" Francis was 
also a member of the Millinder band. The vocalists included Wynonie
Harris (1944-45) and girl singers Sister Rosetta Tharpe (1941-43, who
gave the band its first hit with "I Want A Tall Skinny Papa", 1942) and
Annisteen Allen (1946-51). 

Born in Alabama and raised in Chicago, Lucky started his career in music
as a emcee. In 1934, Millinder took over the directorship of the Mills Blue
Rhythm Orchestra, one of the 'Black' Swing bands of the 1930s. In 1938, 
when the Blue Rhythm Band dissolved, Millinder worked with Bill Doggett's
band. In 1940, he formed his own Lucky Millinder Orchestra. Rhythmically
exciting, the Millinder band was especially popular in Harlem. The band 
gradually shifted into playing an early type of R&B music. Decca signed
the band to an exclusive recording contract, and from 1942 to 1945 Millinder
had four records at the top of the R&B charts, one of which, "When The 
Lights Go On Again (All Over The World)" featured a young Dizzy Gillespie
on trumpet. The biggest hit was "Who Threw The Whiskey In The Well" (# 1 
R&B for 5 weeks, # 7 pop), with a vocal by Wynonie Harris (recorded 1944,
released 1945). Lucky's last hits (1951) both featured the voice of Annisteen
Allen : "I'll Never Be Free" (# 8 R&B) and "I'm Waiting Just For You" (# 2 
R&B, # 19 pop), on RCA and King respectively.
The Lucky Millinder Orchestra was disbanded in 1952. Thereafter, he earned 
his living outside music, but formed occasional bands for special concerts. 
Although he could not read music, Millinder was an exceptional frontman, 
conducting his bands with flair and showmanship. 

More info: http://www.everything2.org/index.pl?node=Lucky%20Millinder

CD's:
Apollo Jump (Proper, 2 CD-set, 2002).
Jumpin' at the Savoy (EPM, France, 2000).
Ram Bunk Shush (Charly, 1992).