Millie

Released in March 1964, Small's cover was a massive hit, reaching number two both in the UK Singles Chart and in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. It also topped the chart in Australia. Initially it sold over 600,000 copies in the United Kingdom. She also had minor UK hits with 2 follow-up singles. Later in 1964 peaking at #30 with Sweet William and #48 with Bloodshot Eyes Including singles sales, album usage and compilation inclusions, the song has since sold more than seven million copies worldwide.

"My Boy Lollipop" was doubly significant in British pop music history. It was the first major hit for Island Records (although it was actually released via Fontana Records because Chris Blackwell, Island's owner, did not want to overextend the label's then-meagre resources; in the U.S. the record appeared on the Smash Records subsidiary of Mercury Records), and Small was the first artist to have a hit that was recorded in the bluebeat style. (She was billed as 'The Blue Beat Girl' on the single's label in the U.S.) This was a music genre that had recently emerged from Jamaica, and was a direct ancestor of reggae. Read Less

She has an adult daughter, who studied art and the music industry. Read Less