BARRY LEVINE: Mills Brothers one of numerous brother acts to find success in the music business

It started more than seven decades ago when the Mills Brothers, four siblings born near Dayton, Ohio, began to make their mark on the music world.

The brothers, who made 2,000 recordings, became the first black group to have a network radio show in 1931 and the first black group to play a command performance before Britain’s royalty in 1934.

The Mills Brothers had the first of their four No. 1 hits with “Tiger Rag” in 1931. The other three were “Paper Doll” in 1943, “You Always Hurt the One You Love” in 1944 and “The Glow-Worm” in 1952.

They had their most successful year in 1932 when they had seven Top 10 hits – “Bugle Call Rag,” “Chinatown, My Chinatown,” “Goodbye Blues,” “I Heard,” “St. Louis Blues,” “Sweet Sue” and You Rascal, You.”

Throughout the years, the group amassed 46 Top 40 hits, 28 of which placed in the Top 10.

Another brother group, The Ames Brothers, bridged the gap between the Big Band Era and Rock ‘n’ Roll Era, starring from 1949.

The group had three No. 1 hits – “Rag Mop” and “Sentimental Me” in 1950 and “You, You, You” in 1953. From 1949 to 1960, the Ames Brothers had 29 Top 40 hits and eight Top 10 records.

Among the group’s other major hits were “The Naughty Lady of Shady Lane” in 1954 and “Tammy” and “Melody D’amour” in 1957. Debbie Reynolds had the bigger “Tammy” hit as her version rose to No. 1.

Rock ‘n’ roll took its toll on the brothers’ popularity during the late 1950s as they began to chart fewer and fewer songs. Ed Ames departed the group in 1961 to pursue an acting and solo singing career. The remaining brothers kept the group going and honored contracts until finally disbanding in 1964.

Ed Ames played Daniel Boone’s partner, Mingo, in the “Daniel Boone” TV series from 1964 to 1970. His biggest hit records were “Try to Remember” in 1965 and “My Cup Runneth Over” in 1967.

Four other groups with brothers who debuted before 1970 – the Everly Brothers, The Beach Boys, Bee Gees and Jackson 5 — experienced tremendous success.

The Everly Brothers had their first hit when “Bye Bye Love” reached No. 2 in the spring of 1957 when Don was 20 and Phil was 18.

They had four No. 1 hits – “Wake Up Little Susie” in 1957, “All I Have to Do is Dream” and “Bird Dog” in 1958 and “Cathy’s Clown” in 1960. Among their other big hits were “Problems” in 1958, “’Til I Kissed You” in 1959, “Let It Be Me” in 1960 and “Crying in the Rain” in 1962.

The Everly Brothers, who recorded from 1957 until they split in 1968, had 27 Top 40 hits and 15 Top 10 hits.

Hall & Oates and the Everly Brothers are the most successful rock duos of all-time.

Brothers Brian Wilson, Carl Wilson and Dennis Wilson helped form The Beach Boys, the most successful surf group of all-time. They had their first Top 20 hit in 1962 when “Surfin’ Safari” reached No. 14.

Because of their enormous popularity, The Beach Boys had 36 Top 40 hits from 1962 to 1988, 15 of which penetrated the Top 10. Despite their successes, The Beach Boys had only four No. 1 hits – “I Get Around” in 1964, “Help Me, Rhonda” in 1965, “Good Vibrations” in 1966 and “Kokomo” in 1988.

Brian Wilson wrote most of the group’s hits.

Among the group’s other major hits were “Surfin’ U.S.A.” “Surfer Girl,” “Be True to Your School” and “In My Room” in 1963, “Fun, Fun, Fun” in 1964, “California Girls” in 1965 and “Barbara Ann” and “Sloop John B” in 1966.

The Bee Gees, Barry Gibb and his twin brothers Maurice and Robin, were Brits who sold more than 220 million records. That’s among the Top 10 all-time.

From the time that had their first chart hit in 1967 with “New York Mining Disaster 1941” until the trio disbanded in 2003 following Barry’s death, they produced eight No. 1 hits including five in a row spanning 1977 through 1979.

The No. 1 hits were “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart” in 1971, “Jive Talkin’ ” in 1975, “You Should Be Dancing” in 1976, “How Deep is Your Love” and “Stayin’ Alive” in 1977, “Night Fever” and “Too Much Heaven” in 1978 and “Tragedy” and “Love You Inside Out” in 1979.

The Bee Gees amassed 31 Top 40 hits and 12 Top 10 smashes.

The Jackson 5, consisting of five brothers from Gary, Ind., Michael, Jermaine, Marlon, Tito and Jackie, produced hit after hit beginning in 1969.

Also known as The Jacksons, the group had 24 top 40 hits, 10 of which landed in the Top 10. Their four No. 1 hits – “I Want You Back” in 1969 and “ABC,” “The Love You Save” and “I’ll Be There” in 1970 – all came near the group’s inception.

Among their other hits were “Never Can Say Goodbye” and “Mama’s Pearl” in 1971, “Dancing Machine” in 1974 and “State of Shock” in 1984.

The list only includes those hits by the Jackson 5/Jacksons and none the brothers produced as solo acts.

This week in rock history – In 1955, The Four Aces’ “Love Is A Many Splendored Thing,” was the first No. 1 record that was specifically written for a motion picture. … In 1959, Bobby Darin, 21, becomes the youngest performer to headline at the Sands Hotel’s Copa Room in Las Vegas. The previous record-holder, Johnny Mathis, appeared at 23. Darin was touring in support of his No. 1 hit, “Mack The Knife.”… In 1961, “Hit The Road Jack” was Ray Charles’ second record to top the Billboard Pop chart. … In 1963, “Sugar Shack” by Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs hit the top of the Billboard chart. It was the best-selling record of the year with sales of more than 1 million copies.

Barry Levine writes entertainment stories for The Albany Herald. He can be reached at [email protected]