Mitch Miller Dies At 99

MITCH MILLER, the MERCURY and COLUMBIA RECORDS A&R head who became a household word as the host of NBC's "SING ALONG WITH MITCH," died SATURDAY in NEW YORK after a short illness at 99. 

MILLER was with the CBS Orchestra in the 1930's and 1940's before becoming an artists and repertoire chief at MERCURY RECORDS, moving to COLUMBIA in 1950.  He signed and/or produced several major acts over the years, including JOHNNY MATHIS, ARETHA FRANKLIN, TONY BENNETT, FRANKIE LAINE, PATTI PAGE, PERCY FAITH, the RAY CONNIFF SINGERS, and ROSEMARY CLOONEY; he also recorded several albums himself.

In 1961, MILLER's TV show launched and ran on NBC through 1964, with reruns airing in 1966.  The show featured vocalist and actress LESLIE UGGAMS and keyboard virtuoso DICK HYMAN.

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