PAUL MITCHELL, founder member of harmony group, the FLOATERS died on Monday 20th December. The news was posted by his daughter, Paula who said: “Today he earned his wings and he left his charming mark on the nurses that cared for him.” No other details were forthcoming.
The Floaters hailed from Detroit and Paul Mitchell was a founding member alongside Larry Cunningham, Charles Clark and Robert Palmer. Palmer was soon replaced by Paul’s brother Ralph. A third Mitchell brother, James was a member of the Detroit Emeralds.
Signed to ABC Records by famed soul exec Otis Smith, the Floaters released their debut, eponymous album in 1977. It meant little till DJs started playing the quirky ‘Float On’ – which quickly stormed sales charts worldwide! Sadly that was the group’s only hit – but what a hit! Daft lyrics, of course but so, so catchy! Paul Mitchell RIP.
