Millie Small death: ‘My Boy Lollipop’ singer dies of stroke aged 73

Friend and producer Chris Blackwell said Small was ‘really special’

Jamaican singer and songwriter Millie Small, circa 1965 (Getty)

Millie Small, the singer behind the 60s hit “My Boy Lollipop”, has died at the age of 73.

The Jamaican artist suffered a stroke, according to her friend Chris Blackwell, the Island Records founder who co-produced her most famous song.

He said: “I would say she’s the person who took ska international because it was her first hit record.

“It became a hit pretty much everywhere in the world. I went with her around the world because each of the territories wanted her to turn up and do TV shows and such, and it was just incredible how she handled it.

“She was such a sweet person, really a sweet person. Very funny, great sense of humour. She was really special.”

“My Boy Lollipop” was released in 1965, when Small was just 17 years old.

The song, which is considered the first commercially successful international ska track, featured in the 2012 Olympics opening ceremony in London and remains one of the best-selling reggae hits of all time.

It is unclear who played the harmonica on the track. For years, it was rumoured to be a young Rod Stewart, but he has denied it. Other theories say it was Pete Hogman or Jimmy Powell, both members of The Five Dimensions.

Small was also known for the songs “Sweet William”, “Bloodshot Eyes” and “Oh Henry”.

In 2011, she was honoured with the order of distinction in the rank of commander in Jamaica, for her contributions to the development of the country’s music industry.