11 Facts About Lucky Millinder

Lucius Venable "Lucky" Millinder was an American swing and rhythm-and-blues bandleader.

Lucky Millinder's group was said to have been the greatest big band to play rhythm and blues, and gave work to a number of musicians who later became influential at the dawn of the rock and roll era.

Lucky Millinder was inducted into the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame in 1986.

Lucky Millinder took the surname Millinder as a child, and was raised in Chicago.

Lucky Millinder first fronted a band in 1931 for an RKO theater tour, and in 1932 took over the leadership of Doc Crawford's orchestra in Harlem.

Lucky Millinder returned to New York to take over the leadership of the Mills Blue Rhythm Band in 1934, which included Henry "Red" Allen, Charlie Shavers, Harry "Sweets" Edison and J C Higginbotham, and which had a regular slot at The Cotton Club.

Lucky Millinder established a residency at New York's Savoy Ballroom, and won a contract with Decca.

Lucky Millinder continued touring with his band, but his style was falling out of favor, and the band's history of many personnel changes began to affect its sound.

Lucky Millinder effectively retired from performing around 1955, although his final recordings were in 1960.

Lucky Millinder became active in music publishing and in public relations for a whiskey distillery.

Lucky Millinder died of a liver ailment in New York City in September 1966.