Died On This Date (July 31, 2010) Mitch Miller / Successful Band Leader & TV Personality
themusicsover Mitch Miller
July 4, 1911 – July 31, 2010
Mitch Miller was many things – musician, record company executive, A&R man, singer, conductor, band leader and producer, but to millions of Americans he was the host of the popular television series and number one albums entitled Sing Along With Mitch. Although his music was far from rock ‘n roll, he is considered one of the most influential people in popular music. He is also often credited for inventing what would later be called karaoke because of the “bouncing ball” he used over the songs’ lyrics as the music was broadcast into homes during the ’50s and ’60s. As an A&R man and producer for Columbia Records, Miller helped create stars out of the likes of Tony Bennett, Johnny Mathis, and Rosemary Clooney. Many songs he produced have since become pop standards. He also discovered Aretha Franklin and signed her to her very first record deal until she was courted away by Atlantic Records. Mitch Miller was 99 when he passed away on July 31, 2010.
Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist
What You Should Own
Joe Pass was an exceptional jazz guitarist known for an improvisational style that would influence future generations of players. Pass began playing guitar on his 9th birthday and by the time he turned 14, he was gigging around town. But within a few years, he began to struggle with drug abuse and fell off the radar as a musician. After spending over two years in a drug rehab program, he resurfaced to reclaim his spot at the top of the jazz world. Throughout the ’60s, Pass recorded several albums for the Pacific Jazz label while lending his talents to the likes of 
Nat Kipner was an Australian producer and songwriter who also had his own label, Spin Records, during the ’60s. His was the first label to sign the Bee Gees to a record deal. He also produced hit records for the band. As a songwriter, he found success with “Too Little Too Late,” the 1978 #1 duet for Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams. Nat Kipner was 86 when he died of congenital heart failure on December 1, 2009.