The Mills Brothers Mural located on the south wall of the Park National Bank building at 212 N. Main Street, Piqua, Ohio was completed in July 2024. The muralists were Michael Boudreault and Chris McDaniels of Artisan Rooms. The Mills Brothers mural was entirely funded by local foundations, and private donors. The project was led by community volunteers Ruth A. Koon and Lorna Swisher with support from Friends of Mainstreet Piqua, the Mainstreet Piqua Beautification Committee Staff, and Board of Directors and Park National Bank.
🎶 The Mills Brothers: A Harmony Born in Piqua, Ohio 🎶
📍 Roots in Piqua
The story of one of America’s most beloved vocal groups begins in the small town of Piqua, Ohio. The Mills family, made up of seven children—four boys and three girls—settled in Piqua, where the siblings attended Spring Street School. Their musical journey began in the heart of their community, singing together at the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, located at the corner of Ash and Downing Streets, a historic building that still stands today.
Though the three sisters—Pauline, Margaret, and Dorothea—did not pursue music professionally, they often sang with their brothers in church, creating harmonies that hinted at the brilliance to come.
🎤 The Birth of a Group
🗓 1924 – First Public Performance
The four brothers—Harry, Herbert, John Jr., and Donald Mills—made their amateur debut in 1924 at the Mays Opera House on Wayne Street in Piqua, performing under the name “Four Boys and a Kazoo.” But on that night, history took a creative turn: Harry forgot his kazoo, and instead cupped his hands over his mouth to imitate a trumpet. The crowd was amazed—and a musical signature was born.
This improvisation marked the beginning of the Mills Brothers’ trademark style: using their voices to mimic musical instruments, including horns, trumpets, and even tubas—all alongside flawless vocal harmonies.
🌟 A Meteoric Rise
🗓 1930s–1940s – Radio Fame and Recording History
In the early 1930s, the Mills Brothers became the first African American artists to have their own national radio show. Their unique sound and charm led to a record-breaking career:
- 1931 – Their recording of “Tiger Rag” became the first ever vocal group record to sell over one million copies, reaching #1 on the pop chart.
- Over the course of their career, the Mills Brothers would record more than 2,000 songs and sell over 50 million records.
- They appeared regularly on radio, in films, and on concert stages across the globe.
🕯 A Family’s Resilience
The group suffered a heartbreaking loss when John Jr., the eldest brother, passed away at age 25 in 1936. Instead of disbanding, their father, John Hutchinson Mills, stepped in to sing bass and perform with his sons—a role he held for over 20 years.
👑 Honors and Performances of Distinction
Throughout their six-decade-long career, the Mills Brothers achieved remarkable honors:
- Performed for royalty in a command performance at the London Palladium.
- Sang at multiple White House State Dinners, entertaining U.S. Presidents and world leaders.
- Over 70 appearances on the U.S. pop charts, including hits like “Glow Worm,” “You Always Hurt the One You Love,” and “Paper Doll”—the latter being one of the best-selling records of all time.
🏆 Legacy and Recognition
The Mills Brothers’ contributions to music were recognized far and wide:
- Ebony Magazine Lifetime Achievement Award
- National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences Lifetime Achievement Award
- Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
- Induction into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame
Their sound continues to influence generations of vocalists and a cappella groups. The Mills Brothers didn’t just perform music—they redefined what a vocal group could be.
📅 Timeline Snapshot
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| Early 1900s | Mills family settles in Piqua, Ohio |
| 1924 | First professional performance at Mays Opera House |
| 1931 | “Tiger Rag” becomes first million-seller by a vocal group |
| 1936 | John Jr. dies; father joins the group |
| 1930s–50s | Peak popularity: radio, records, and performances worldwide |
| 1950s–70s | Frequent White House appearances and international tours |
| 1980s–2000s | Honors and recognition for lifetime achievements |
🎶 The Harmony Lives On
From a small Ohio church to the global stage, the Mills Brothers left an indelible mark on American music history. Their innovation, elegance, and vocal mastery helped break racial barriers and redefine the sound of popular music. Rooted in family and faith, the Mills Brothers’ legacy continues to inspire—an extraordinary journey that began with four boys, a kazoo, and a spark of genius in Piqua, Ohio.