His first signing - four Maori singers known as the Howard Morrison Quartet - enjoyed local success.
Miller's first big-name act was US jazz musician Louis Armstrong. Miller travelled to the US to approach Armstrong's manager, Joe Glaser. When Glaser asked, "You got any bucks, kid?", Miller said he did not.
Miller recalled: "He thought it was so funny, that this kid was trying to buy Louis Armstrong, that he thought I should get it. And he did."
Armstrong toured in 1963 - the same year Miller moved to Australia, founding Pan Pacific Productions Pty Ltd with Keith and Dennis Wong, who owned Sydney's Chequers nightclub.
His career achievements were many and varied: He brought some of the world's biggest acts to Australia in the 1960s including The Rolling Stones and Beach Boys.
Miller brought out Judy Garland to do three concerts in 1964. Garland, a drug addict, held up for the Sydney Stadium shows, but the concert at Melbourne's Festival Hall was a shambles.
Miller stood near the back, "copping anger and abuse as the public filed out".
He's also credited with discovering a 16-year-old Marcia Hines in Boston, flying her to Australia to star in his production of Hair — a role that kickstarted her career down under.
In 1992, Miller produced the Australian national arena production of stage musical Jesus Christ Superstar, which became a massive hit with an all-star cast including John Farnham, Kate Ceberano and Jon Stevens.
He retired in 2009 and in 2011 revealed he had been diagnosed with dementia.
His agency, which represents stars such as TV host Osher Gunsberg and horse trainer Gai Waterhouse, says the "visionary" agent and theatrical producer died peacefully in Sydney on Wednesday.
"By his side were his long term partner Simmone Logue, daughters Justine, Brook and Lauren and their mother Wendy," his business HMMG said in a statement on Thursday.
Miller is survived by partner Simmone Logue and his five children - sons Simon and Miles and daughters Brook, Lauren and Justine.
Tributes are starting to flow in this morning:
- Additional reporting: Wires
