Background
Mitchell was born in the Algiers section of New Orleans.
Mitchell was born in the Algiers section of New Orleans.
He was a popular recording artist in the 1950s and early 1960s, making records for Imperial Records, Show Biz Records and Rip Records. He first recorded in his teens with the do-wop group "The Toppers", which was broken up as most of the members were drafted. Mitchell"s single "Try Rock "n Roll," hit the top 20 of the United States Billboard Rhythm & Blues chart in 1956.
Many of his sessions were arranged by Dave Bartholomew.
His single "I"m Gonna Be a Wheel Someday" was a hit, pre dating the more famous cover of the tune by Fats Domino and got Mitchell an appearance on American Bandstand. In the early 1980s he did radio shows at WWOZ.