Biography
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Born
31 July 1907
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Born In
Wynnewood, Garvin County, Oklahoma, United States
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Died
18 September 1983 (aged 76)
Roy Milton (31 July 1907 – 18 September 1983) was an American R&B singer, drummer and bandleader.
Milton’s grandmother was a Native American. He was born in Wynnewood, Oklahoma and grew up on a reservation before moving to Tulsa. He joined the Ernie Fields band in the late 1920s as singer and, later, drummer.
Moving to Los Angeles in 1933, he formed his own band, the Solid Senders, with Camille Howard on piano, and began recording in the 1940’s. His big break came in 1946, when “R. M. Blues” on the Specialty Records label became a big hit, helping to establish Art Rupe’s company.
He continued to record successfully for Specialty Records through the early 1950s, making a total of 19 Top Ten R&B hits, and becoming a major touring attraction. However, releases on other labels were unsuccessful, and the development of rock and roll had rendered him something of an anachronism by the middle of the decade.
Nevertheless he continued to perform, appearing in 1970 as a member of Johnny Otis’ band at the Monterey Jazz Festival.
Milton died in 1983 in Los Angeles, California
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