Millicent Dolly May Small, affectionately known as Millie Small, was the first Jamaican artist to break onto the international music scene with her ska hit “My Boy Lollipop.” Born on 6th October 1946 in Vere Clarendon, Jamaica, Millie was the youngest of 12 children in a family headed by a sugar plantation overseer. Her journey to global fame began at a young age, and she went on to become one of the most successful and influential figures in Jamaican music history.
A Young Star is Born
Millie’s career began when she won the Vere Johns Opportunity Hour talent contest in 1960 at just 12 years old, receiving ten shillings as a prize. Her win opened the door to her first musical partnership with Roy Panton, forming the duo Roy & Millie. Together, they recorded several hits, including “We’ll Meet” and “Sugar Plum,” for the legendary producer Clement “Coxsone” Dodd.
Millie’s distinctive, high-pitched voice caught the attention of Chris Blackwell, founder of Island Records. Blackwell, convinced of her international potential, became her manager and brought her to London in 1963. This decision set the stage for what would be one of the most memorable musical debuts of the 1960s.
“My Boy Lollipop” A Global Smash Hit
In 1964, Millie’s cover of “My Boy Lollipop” took the world by storm. Originally recorded by American singer Barbie Gaye in 1957, Millie’s version reached Number One in the UK and Number Two in the US charts. The record was the first Jamaican song to be ranked on the record charts in the United Kingdom and the United States and sold over seven million copies worldwide, cementing her status as a global star at just 17 years old. The song was not only a personal success for Millie but also marked a milestone for Island Records, becoming the label’s first major hit.
“My Boy Lollipop” introduced the world to the ska genre and Jamaican music, setting the stage for future successes like Desmond Dekker’s “Israelites” and Dave and Ansel Collins’ “Double Barrel.” It also earned Millie the title of the “Blue Beat Girl,” as it was the first major hit recorded in the bluebeat style, a precursor to reggae and the first Jamaican song and to this day remains the only global hits for the ska genre and one of the best-selling reggae/ska recordings of all time.
A Journey of Highs and Lows
Following her global success, Millie embarked on international tours, performing at prestigious events like the New York World’s Fair in 1964, where August 12th was declared “Millie Small Day.” Despite her monumental rise, she faced challenges with subsequent releases. Her follow-up singles, including “Sweet William” and “Bloodshot Eyes,” achieved moderate success but never reached the heights of her debut hit.
Millie continued to perform worldwide, including in Australia, Africa, and the Caribbean, but by the late 1960s, her recording career began to slow down. She moved to Singapore in the early 1970s before eventually settling in the UK, where she largely stayed out of the public eye.
Order of Distinction
Millie’s contribution to Jamaican music did not go unrecognised. In 2011, on the 49th anniversary of Jamaica’s independence, she was awarded the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander (CD) by the Governor-General of Jamaica for her pioneering role in the country’s music industry. Former Prime Minister Edward Seaga accepted the award on her behalf.
After nearly 40 years away from the limelight, Millie granted an in-depth interview in 2016, where she reflected on her groundbreaking career and revealed that, despite her immense success, she had not received royalties for “My Boy Lollipop.” Nonetheless, her impact on music remains indelible.
Millie’s Trailblazing Legacy
Millie Small passed away on 5th May 2020 in London at the age of 72. Her legacy as the Caribbean’s first international recording star and as the artist who brought Jamaican music to the world stage endures. “My Boy Lollipop” remains one of the most recognisable songs of the ska era, and Millie’s place in music history is forever secure as the “Blue Beat Girl” who put Jamaica on the global map.
