Singer Millie Small Sold Millions But then Lost Everything

Millie Small took a Jamaican record to number two in Britain and number two in America, before Bob Marley, before Jimmy Cliff. So how did the girl behind "My Boy Lollipop" end up in a London hostel in 1987, smiling at a TV camera and saying she chose it? The story of Millie Small: the 17-year-old from Clarendon, Chris Blackwell, Island Records, and the two things almost nobody talks about. Stay to the end for the dream she said she had not yet completed. In this video: her childhood in Clarendon, the talent show at 12, Roy and Millie and Studio One, the trip to London in 1963, how "My Boy Lollipop" was made (and the harmonica mystery), the 1964 chart run, her 1970 answer to Enoch Powell, the royalties question in her own words, the 1987 Thames TV interview, her honours, and her last years. CHAPTERS 0:00 In her own words 0:36 The question 1:40 Born in Clarendon 2:18 The talent show at 12 2:59 Roy and Millie 3:46 Chris Blackwell hears "We'll Meet" 5:02 London, 1963 6:16 How "My Boy Lollipop" was made 7:36 Number two in Britain and America 9:30 The bravest record of her life 10:26 The money 11:14 1987: Thames TV finds her 12:44 Honours and the unfinished dream 14:55 May 2020 15:43 The blue plaque 16:36 The honest scorecard Millie's own account of royalties is reported as her account; This video is a tribute and commentary for educational purposes. Archive clips, interviews and news reports are used under fair use and credited below; all rights belong to their owners. Thank you to every creator and outlet. SOURCES (as named in the video): The Gleaner, Jamaica Observer, The Express (2016), Goldmine magazine (2016 interview), Jamaica's National Library, Thames TV / Thames News (1987), Finnish TV interview (December 1964), Chris Blackwell's memoir, Clyde McKenzie, Owen Gray, Dennis Alcapone, Kamal (cousin), Jaelee (daughter). CLIP CREDITS (from on-screen credits): @cosmicrat, @BoomshotsTV, Thames News (Thames TV, 1987 interview), @hotpepr1984, @JetBlakInk. #MillieSmall #MyBoyLollipop #JamaicanMusic