After six months of hospitalization in Los Angeles following surgery for a brain tumor, Donald Friedlich Mills, Sr., the last surviving member of singing group The Mills Brothers [ tickets ], died Saturday (11/13) of complications from pneumonia. He was 84.

The Mills Brothers first performed in the early 1920s, became a hit late in that decade, and sold an estimated 50 million records over the years. The group's best-known songs include ''Paper Doll'' and ''Tiger Rag.''

The African American brothers broke through many racial barriers in a time when Jim Crow laws were commonplace. In 1934, they became the first African American group to give a command performance before British royalty, according to the Associated Press.

The group was presented with a Grammy Award for Live Achievement in 1998. Donald was on hand to accept the honor.

The oldest of the Mills Brothers, John, died in 1936. He was replaced by their father, who sang with the group for more than two decades. After continuing as a trio until 1982, Harry and Herbert Mills retired and died shortly thereafter. Most recently, Donald Mills [ tickets ] and his youngest son, John, toured as the Dynamic Duo [ tickets ].

According to The Mills Brothers Society, the public is invited to memorial services for Mills, which will be held at the Chapel of the Hill, Forest Lawn Cemetery in Burbank, Calif., on Saturday (11/20) at 11:00 a.m.