Roy Milton, The Grandfather of R&B Born

American R&B and jump blues singer Roy Milton was born today (July 31, 1907).

Milton was best known a singer and drummer of R&B and blues music and dubbed by some as “the Grandfather of R&B music”.

Milton, who was born in Wynnewood, Oklahoma, grew up on an Indian reservation, before moving to Tulsa, where he joined the Ernie Fields Orchestra in the late 1920’s.

In 1933, Milton moved to Los Angeles and formed his own band called The Solid Senders.

Milton’s first major hit was his 1945 single “R.M. Blues,” which reached number two on the Billboard charts.

Milton and The Solid Senders went on tours around the country from the late 1940’s through the 1950’s.

In total, Milton recorded 19 Top 10 R&B hits in his career under Specialty Records, which aas headed by Art Rupe.

In 1955, Milton left Specialty Records, but his later releases on other labels proved to be unsuccessful.