Mitch Miller, TV conductor, record executive dies

Mitch Miller, pictured here in 1968 in New York City, had a popular television show in the 1960s, Sing Along With Mitch. (Bob Wands/File/Associated Press)

Singalong maestro worked with Rosemary Clooney, Johnny Mathis, Tony Bennett

Mitch Miller, the goateed orchestra leader who asked Americans to "Sing Along With Mitch" on television and records, has died at age 99. His daughter, Margaret Miller Reuther, said Monday that Miller died Saturday in a New York City hospital after a short illness. She did not divulge any more details.

"He was absolutely himself up until the minute he got sick," she said. "He was truly blessed with a long and wonderful life."

Miller was a key record executive at Columbia Records in the pre-rock 'n' roll era, making hits with singers Rosemary Clooney, Patti Page, Johnny Mathis and Tony Bennett. "Mitch Miller put me on the map by producing some of my very first million-selling records, and he was a great friend and a magnificent musician," Bennett said in a statement released later Monday.

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