Another great industry veteran has passed. Alvin “Skip” Miller, 61, died yesterday (Friday) of a heart attack while in the hospital at Cedars Sinai Hospital. Miller was most recently running his own company Pand a Entertainment Group which is a talent management company specializing in artist development, music consulting and production. Miller is the former president of Motown Record Corporation and exec VP at RCA Records Label. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Project Angel Food or the Department of Neurosurgery and Neurosurgical Institute at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center headed by Dr. Keith Black at www.cedars-sinai.edu
My deepest condolences to KC and the boys. I am devasted to hear this. Please let me know if I can do anything.
We were blessed to interview Skip on our Bob Jones episode, he was a giant in this industry our deepest condolences to his family ,the Motown Family and friends. The Music Industry will miss his smile and kindness. God needed another Motown Man.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aa2YwkfuEso
My heartfelt condolences to KC and the boys. I feel so fortunate to have been blessed to know Skip, he was always there for anyone at anytime.
He was kind and gentle and always made me feel special whenever we spoke.
I will treasure my memories I have of him.
Love
Sharon
Skip was a very dear friend of my family as well- My father Paul Gallis (Mid-West Independent record promoter) called me yesterday morning with the sad news. He was very shaken by the news. Skip also gave me my first promotion gig in Chicago in the late 80’s doing CHR tracking for Motown as well. Business played second as he was one of the greats and was a very caring and kind individual. To say he will be missed is an understatement. R.I.P. Skip it will be along time before you will be forgotten-
Jimmy Gallis
Billy, we just lost a very close friend, a very important friend who gave us our chance and took a chance on us, The Vice President of BMG/RCA Urban Division, Skip Miller, if you can please please add to the second page, some text that reads,
this is the page
Fathers
Move it higher towards the top so the text will fit
The Journey to the Grammys
Written by
Bobby Avila
Inspired by many friends and family
In Dedication
I dedicate this book to a man who was part of our success, who took a chance and stepped out believing in us, even though the odds were against us, Angela Bibbs, Skips assistant also a believer, sent Skip Miller our tape to New York, Skip loved our music and wanted to sign us, my partner Lee Silver and Bobby Jr. and I walked into BMG/RCA to see Skip, Angela Bibbs greeted us and said Skip is expecting you, we all walked into his office, he was on the phone speaking to someone with his back facing us and turned around and told the person he was speaking too, said hold on, Skip said, do I have an appointment with you, I responded, yes, Skip said who are you, then I knew Angela didn’t send the picture along with the tape, I said this is Lee Silver my partner, Bobby Ross Avila Jr. I’m Bobby Sr., he looked at us with those big green eyes with a surprised look on his face and said I thought you were black, I said is that a problem, with a trembling voice, he said, well no and then a big smile came about and said I want to sign Bobby Jr., so we signed a production deal with BMG/RCA urban division, Skip saw talent and change and it started with him, he gave this Latino family a chance of a life time, he made the difference, even though we alway didn’t agree, I respected a wonderful and gracious man who was willing to take it to the next level, I will alway remember the intelligent tall man that had the big smile and the green eyes, that looked at you with ambition and promise and yes Skip Miller, you did have a part in my sons success and being awarded Grammies and where they are today. God Bless You and thank you so much Skip, I know in my heart the Lord God gave you your Grammy, job well done Skip.
From the Avila Family, you will be deeply missed
In Memory
BMG/RCA
Urban Division
VP Skip Miller
Place picture here, please
Dominic and family,
I just heard about the loss of your Dad. My thoughts are with you.
I am so very sorry for your loss!
Sincerely,
Ruth
My heartfelt condolences to K.C. and the family. Skip was the first guy I went to lunch with on my first day at work at 1580 KDAY/L.A. At that time, I was blown away to physically be at the legendary Motown Records in Hollywood. However, the really special thing was to meet Skip Miller, as I grew to understand as time passed. Skip was the same guy the last time we spoke, about six months ago, as the first time we met 35 years ago. He always took my calls and gave me his support over the years. As it happens, mine was the main commercial voice of Motown for three decades because of Skip’s support, including being the voice – along with Smokey Robinson – of “Motown 25″ back in 1984. There’s more to tell. And, of course this is sad news to me. But, I consider myself richer for having known him. Skip Miller was truly one of the good guys.
He Signed SWV
My deepest condolences to K.C and the family.
Skip Miller and Miller London taught me everything I know about the music/entertainment industry, and business in general. I was hired at Motown Records with no experience at the tender age of 19 years old. Skip never set boundaries and allowed all of us (who were very young) to jump in and learn as much as we wanted to learn, and take on job responsibilities that only executives were allowed to do at other record labels.
What I learned from Skip I could have never learned in College. He was a great teacher, mentor, and friend not only to me but to so many in the entertainment industry.
At Motown Records in 1979 through the 80′s we were one big family with one vision, not business associates with our own agendas. Releasing hit, after hit, after hit, with marketing, promotion and sales strategies that resulted in multi platinum album sales.
All of the Motown releases that you heard on the radio during that time were chosen by myself, Angela, Adrian, Benny, and Kerry (the youngest part of the Motown team). Skip would call all of us in his office and ask us to pick the first three single releases from each album before releasing them to radio stations around the world. Everything that came out of Motown during that time period was chosen by a group of teens and young adults that knew good music and what would sale. Skip knew that we had good ears and trusted that we would come back to him with hit singles.
Working at Motown Records with Skip was a very special time in my life that I will never forget. Simply the best life and work experience ever, and memories that will stay with me for a life time.
I am sad but very thankful to have known, worked and learned from the best.
Thank you Skip…. You will be missed.
Loved this man! Such a loss. Can’t stop crying.
On behalf of my Family and especially my Daughter, Daniella who was a
Junior & Senior High School classmate of Dominic, we send our condolences, prayers and Love to KC & the Boy’s on the passing of your Husband & Father, Skip Miller who was a Beautiful, Smart, Caring and a real Brother throughout our Thirty-Five year Friendship. I will alway’s remember our Personal & Family conversations at our children’s High School and watching Dominic play Baseball at the school. You will be missed my Brother!
We Love You and will support KC & the Boy’s in whatever capacity they will need assistance. Skip, please give my love to Jheryl, Barry, Marvin, Pac and the rest those who left us to soon. Rest in Peace My Brother! God knows Best!
Skip,
Thank you for welcoming me to the Motown Family. You wrote my first contract, and never let me forget it. We are sad to lose such a great inspiring heart, energy and friend. You have touched the lives of so many, and in so many ways left a mark on this planet…I thank you for that.
Condolences to KC and the Boys. Skip defined the word classy. I worked at Motown and Skip was one of the reasons you hear everyone call it the Motown Family. Skip always spoke of his family with so much love and was one of the most kind and decent human beings a person could ever meet. You will be missed.
I just learned of Skips passing today, and I am deeply saddened. My husband and children have lost their cousin. My heart goes out to KC, Dominic, Justin, Sybll and all those who knew and loved him.
Skip and KC always opened their home to me and my family; Skip was always so kind and gentle. I was embraced as family, and I will always appreciate that.
It was not by chance that Dominic and Justin were two of the most cordial and polite young men that I had ever met. KC and Skip did a wonderful job in raising them and he will live on through them.
Skip was a wonderful father, mentor, and friend. I was deeply saddened to learn of his passing. I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to spend time with him. The world is truly a lesser place without him.
My condolences and love go out to KC, my best friend Dom and Justin. You will be missed!
My deepest prayer to the family in the loss of “skip”. I pray for comfort and love through your memories of a great, kind, and talented industry professional. What a class act who will be deeply missed! Love and God Bless, Bobbi
My Prayers, love and heart felt condolences to KC, Dominic and Justin. Skip was a “First Class Act”. He was very professional and LOVED by all who knew and worked with him. It was a Blessing for me to have known him.
Skip will truly be missed.
My deepest condolences to KC & the boys!!
I don’t know where to begin, Skip, I will always love and remember you so dearly! Our friendship expands over 31 wonderful years. Starting from The Motown Family (what a family to be proud to be a part of) and continued to overflow into our very own families. You were like a “Big Brother” to me and I will be so every grateful for the love and concern you always showed me. I can honestly say, you and my other favorite guy, Miller London, always had my back!!!!!
REST IN PEACE MY BIG BROTHER…I will miss you dearly!!!
You will be forever in my heart
Love You
My condolences go the the Miller family. Skip was very kind to me when I to Los Angeles to KJLH. I didnt know a lot of people in the industry but I was welcomed by Skip. He was always kind honest and always remembered your name. We have lost another great soul. I am sure that Skip will be making music up there with the others that left before him . May Skip rest in peace.
May we know that God was kind enough to share a true gem, from his garden. Skip has blessed and will continue to bless those who loved and knew him, as the locals and internationals, who loved the music he brought to fruition.
The true love and honor of those who socialized with him permeated today’s services!! Today was a celebration of his zeal for life, commitment, determination, accountability, conviction and gentlemanly, Christian character.
May God be with KC, Justin, Dominic and the family, dear friends and all who are celebrating his wonderful life, at his passing!
Skip Miller was a rare breed in Hollywood, a nice guy, who knew how to be successful without sacrificing integrity. In early 1974 when I joined the staff at 1580 KDAY, Skip was among the first record guys, along with his sidekick Miller London, to reach out to welcome me. Later when I made the transition to Capitol Records to head up their Black Music promotions department Skip went out of his way to encourage me. KC, a lot of years have passed and you may not remember, but Skip and I had several conversations where he offered to share the ropes of promotion with me. There have not been a lot of missed opportunities in my life – that, however, was one.
My prayers are with you and your sons as you celebrate Skip’s life and mourn his passing.
I pray that God will be your solace and strength.