Bernie Milton
Musical artist
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bernard Lawrence Milton (January 30, 1942 – May 19, 2002) better known as "Bernie", was a soul and rhythm & blues singer from Ithaca, New York. He was a regional musician who performed in a variety of acts throughout Central New York from the 1950s through the early 2000s.
January 30, 1942
Bernie Milton | |
|---|---|
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| Background information | |
| Born | Bernard Lawrence Milton January 30, 1942 Ithaca, New York, U.S. |
| Died | May 19, 2002 (aged 60) Ithaca, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | Soul, R&B, Pop |
| Instrument | Vocalist |
| Years active | 1955–2002 |
| Labels | Josie, Jove, ASCOT, Chaton Records, Sphynx |
| Formerly of | The Silvertones, Bernie & the Blazers, Little Bernie & the Cavaliers, Bernie Milton & the Soul Patrol, The Bernie Milton Band, The Bernie Milton Experience |
Early life
Bernie was born in Ithaca, New York on January 30, 1942, the second of Curtis and Agnes (Johnson) Milton's three sons.[1] His mother Agnes was a classically trained pianist and attended the Ithaca Conservatory of Music, which later became Ithaca College.[2]
Performing
From a young age, Bernie performed alongside his mother at church. At the age of eleven, he performed in a talent contest at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, singing one of Elvis Presley's hits, "I Got a Woman".[3] Throughout the 1950s, Milton performed throughout the Ithaca-area as a frequent act for fraternity and alumni festivities at Cornell University, local community centers, clubs and concert halls.[4][2] He was often in lineups alongside Bobby Comstock, another hometown musician.[5] He signed his first record deal in 1960 and achieved more regional popularity with his single "The Waddle" in 1962.[6][7][8] His other signature single "60/40" was penned in 1985.[3]
Radio
In 1983, Milton became an on-air radio disc jockey at Ithaca College's radio station, local 91.7 WICB, hosting a Friday morning show called "Looking Back", playing soul, rhythm & blues and Motown music. Shortly after Bernie's passing in 2002, his nephew, Ricky Milton assumed the host role and remains in the position currently.[9]
Legacy
In 2003, the main pavilion on The Commons in downtown Ithaca was named the Bernie Milton pavilion in his honor.[10] It has been the site for live music performances dating back to the 1970s, including Milton's own bands throughout his career. In 2015, the City of Ithaca completed a renovation of the Commons which included the construction of new pavilion at its northern entrance at the intersection of Seneca and Tioga Streets.[11] The pavilion was dedicated in honor of Bernie's musical legacy in the weeks following the Commons re-opening celebration with ceremony including friends, former bandmates and family members performing some of his old hits.[12]
Personal life
Milton had eight children and at the time of his passing was married to his wife of 25 years, the late Renee (Steele) Milton. Milton died suddenly of a heart attack on May 19, 2002, in his hometown of Ithaca, New York.[1]