The father and son team of John and Donald Mills of the Mills Brothers sing two of their classic hits, "Paper Doll" and "You Always Hurt the One Your Love," in this 1994 TV performance.
Donald still has a beautiful voice, but it’s kind of sad watching him alone knowing his brothers all passed away. But also awesome that he would sing with his son.
I'm guessing Donald was around 80 here, its incredible how well he could still sing, the high notes may not ring as pure but he puts singers of ANY era to shame, it's hard to think of any singer of the post rock n roll era who can still sing as well as Donald could here. Especially seeing as he must have been fairly over singing Paper Doll after 50 full years
Right around this very time, I got to be in the band backing them up for a couple performances in Boston.... the absolute highlight of my musical career.
Wow.lucky u.i got to meet the ink spots. I was serving drinks and I told them they were great, they asked me to sit down so I had to quit my job to do so...I did.
When I was a little girl I heard the Mills Brothers sing at Lake Club in Springfield Illinois. When they sang Daddy’s Little Girl they won my heart forever. Now as an elderly woman, I still listen to them on CDs and UTube. My favorites now are Basin Street Blues and Up the Lazy River sung with the Boston Pops. They were marvelous. May God bless their offspring, their music and their sweet souls. Such a gift that they have left us. ❤.
My dad played high school football with Donald Mills,and they were friends of my Uncle Russell! The thing is,they were all great guys! that makes me happy!
The class of the Mills brother will never die still now and forever a Class Act family thank you Mills Brothers may all of your people rest in peace and be with God
We had the joy of hearing and watching Donald with his son John. It was incredible! They were perfection in voice and performance. John’ s respect and devotion to his father was very evident. We will miss these performances forever! John is truly caring on The Mills Brothers. They have a CD together that is wonderful!,,
This is a bit sad to watch. My parents raised me on The Mills Brothers, I still listen to them all the time, so hearing John sing alone is heartbreaking, and beautiful at the same time.
***** Is that Donald? ;) Guess I'm just getting to know who's who. My bad. Thanks. Yes, every time I hear their music, I'm reminded that nobody has the smooth harmony today like they had.
+ Sweet Betto - How do you know he's adopted? His voice is so good he actually mimics what they sounded like in the early years. Oh well (adopted or not) he still has a beautiful voice.
That's Donald, the youngest of the original four. Their history is amazing! And you're correct about their harmony. It's the sibling blend--but very few sets of siblings come anywhere close. They set a standard that still holds, even now.
Awww yes, my friends and extended family. The true highlight on my younger years was going to SF to watch Harry,Herb and Don do these great great songs. I remember sitting with the drummer back then, he's the reason I play today and the Mills Brothers are why I sing...I miss them very much John but they're songs are never far from my heart and mind. It's great seeing you continue this great tradition and doing it with as much class and talent as you're father and uncles. Regards B.Wilson.
After a show in new Jersey I watched son and father. My reaction they truly enjoyed to entertain. How can the father jump up and hit his heals together. I was never able to do that. Yours Evans w robinson
The kid is darned good playing the part of Harry Mills!!! He actually has a much "cleaner" voice, I'd say almost perfect pitch. I'm glad he was able to succeed in doing his own style within the "Mills Bros." context. But you mean to tell me there's no other children or grandchildren or great-grandchildren now of the Mills Bros. who could make it into a trio or preferable a quartet? :)
I think--I am not certain--that Donald is singing Harry's part and John is singing lead, which Donald did with his brothers. All four brothers had to learn all four parts in case somebody couldn't perform. But the Mills voices are unmistakable, and they blend perfectly, here and as always. Whoever sings what, it is much harder to do than the Mills family always made it look and sound. Just exceptional!
Good great scott Donald could sing. Is this his son singing with him? Who ever he is he does great. Donald had one of the beautiful voices and talented behind it that I have ever heard.
