Glenn
Miller’s real name was, Alton Glenn Miller. He was born on March
1, 1904, in Clarinda, Iowa. Glenn Miller, Passed away On December 15, 1944
leaving a legendary style of music never to be forgotten. He was one of
the most popular big bands during the Big Band Era. His music became a
symbol of a generation.
Miller's band
was one of the most popular and best-known dance bands of the "Swing Era."
His music, a careful mixture of swing, jazz, and improvisation, gained
the admiration and praise of audiences and critics alike. Glenn Miller
and his orchestra's magnificent music will be always remembered by those
who enjoy the beautiful sounds they produced.
Miller grew up
in Clarinda, Iowa, with a solid mid-western family.
During Miller's
early years, his family moved frequently to places such
as North Platte,
Nebraska, and Grant City, Missouri. While in Grant
City, Miller
milked cows to earn money to buy a trombone. After
graduating from
high school, Miller attended classes for two years at
the University
of Colorado. It was in college, that his interest in
music flourished.
He continued to play the trombone and also worked with Boyd Senter's band
in Denver. At that point, Miller's love for music
took over. He
left the university and went to the west coast to try his
luck as a musician.
Miller played
for several small bands until he joined Ben Pollack's
orchestra in
1927. When Pollack's orchestra moved to New York, Miller
left the band
to pursue the many opportunities that the city offered
including freelancing
for other artists such as Red Nichols, Smith
Ballew, and the
Dorsey Brothers.
In 1934, Miller
helped Ray Noble start an orchestra, which soon became popular through
its radio broadcasts. By 1937, Miller's own popularity among big band circles
enabled him to form an orchestra of his own, which eventually disbanded.
In 1938, Miller put together a second band.
Although he struggled
through the first two years, Miller's imagination,
strong will,
and determination kept "The Glenn Miller Orchestra" and
their aspirations
alive.
In March 1939,
the band had its first important engagement to play at the famous Glen
Island Casino in a New York suburb. A second engagement at Meadowbrook
in New Jersey soon followed.
By mid-summer,
the orchestra had achieved great popularity and demand through their radio
broadcasts from both engagements.
Some of the orchestra's
classics include "Chattanooga Choo Choo,"
"String of Pearls,"
and "Moonlight Serenade." The band was featured in two films, Sun Valley
Serenade (1941) and Orchestra Wives (1942).
In October 1942,
Miller disbanded his orchestra and joined the US Army Air Force with the
rank of captain and assembled a quality dance band to perform for the troops.
When the troops moved to England, Miller's band followed. On December 15,
Miller got on a routine flight to Paris for a scheduled appearance for
his band in that city. The plane never arrived. Miller's death was mourned
by music lovers all over the world, and he was heralded as a hero worldwide.
The movie The
Glenn Miller Story was filmed in 1953 and starred James Stewart, as the
great Glenn Miller, this film was as a tribute to Miller.
