Glenn Miller

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His name is Alton Glenn Miller, son of Lewis Elmer and Mattie Lou Miller of Clarinda, Iowa. He was born 1 March 1904 and vanished on a military flight from England to Paris on 15 December 1944. The actual fate of this flight has never been determined, but another flight on that same day released unused bombs in the vicinity and one of the flyers remembers seeing a small single engine plane far below and in the path of the discarded bombs.

Miller was a trombonist, arranger and band leader. Among his peers in early days he was known as "Gloomy Glenn". He attended the U. of Colorado and played his trombone on many different occasions. However, while his trombone playing was more than passable, his greatest skill was in making orchestral arrangements. Some of his earliest work was done in 1925, but he became more noticeable when he joined Ben Pollack's band where he played and arranged for some of the "greats" - Jack Teagarden, Jimmy MacPartland and Benny Goodman, to name a few.

While working for Pollack, Glenn also arranged for other bands, but his break came in 1935 when he was asked to form a band for Ray Noble, the British band leader, for a stint at the Rainbow Room, New York. Frustrated with continuous disagreements with leaders for whom he worked, in 1938 he formed his own "permanent" band, hoping to achieve greater freedom and opportunity.

This first band had a "sound" that was not totally uncommon, using a baritone lead sax, but the "sound" for he became famous was the result of an arrangement he created for Ray Noble where he married a clarinet and tenor sax for the lead. Ray Noble was disinterested, however, since in his opinion it did not fit the style of his band. While Miller's style became a bright new sparkle in the world of popular music, he drew on his musical education citing similar sounds in the music of Rimsky-Korsakoff.

In 1939 the Miller band opened at the Glen Island Casino near New York City in New Rochelle, New York. It was a wake-up call to the thousands of young people who loved to dance and tap their feet to the music of the times. Glenn Miller went on from there to the New York Paramount Theater, the Meadowbrook night club in New Jerey, and capped his personal appearances with radio broadcasts, usually only 15 minutes, or so, but 10 or more times a week. These broadcasts were made from all over the country - wherever the band happened to be at the moment.

Soon after that Chesterfield Cigarettes became the sponsor of broadcasts three times a week which provided even greater exposure for the Miller group. His fame and popularity continued to explode with the advent of the second world war, with service people all over the world hungry for the sounds of home.

In 1942, Glenn Miller disbanded his organization and enlisted in the Army where he led the 418th Army Air Force Band from the Technical School at Yale. His unique and adventurous approach to conducting this Band earned him almost as many "boo"s as "cheer"s, but left an indelible memory with those who encountered the music of the most popular dance band leader of the "big band" era.

>>By Stu   (Sunday, 17 Nov 2002 22:38)



were was glen born.

>>By aad   (Wednesday, 27 Nov 2002 15:10)



Thanks for making sucha great web site regarding Glen Miller. I'm doing a music project on the Big Band Era specifically Glen Miller and it helped out a lot.

Felicity

>>By Felicity   (Friday, 29 Nov 2002 22:58)



We are trying to set up a memorial plaque for Glenn Miller at the Palace Theatre Paignton England where he played soon before his unfortunate demise. If anyone has any information about this tour it would be most appreciated. At the time the 4th Div. were here in Paignton and neighbouring towns (e.g. Torquay). The area is known as Torbay, Devon.
Please email information to peter.foreman@d.tc.

>>By UK   (Friday, 14 Feb 2003 16:41)



how old did glen miller die
did he play the saxophone

>>By fran   (Sunday, 16 Feb 2003 20:10)



you suck at making webpages

>>By loser   (Tuesday, 18 Feb 2003 20:12)



I am looking for a documentary called something like: ??? hours from the life of Glen Miller. Help, please!

>>By vganev@iterra.net   (Tuesday, 4 Mar 2003 03:16)



I LIKE HIS MUSIC

>>By PODGY   (Friday, 7 Mar 2003 14:24)



glen miller is weird his daddy,mommy and sister are weird 2.

>>By giggles   (Wednesday, 12 Mar 2003 18:49)



He was a wonderful musician, and an american institution. We could use some talent like that now.

Hey Yifan!!

Jeff

>>By Phillyprnc   (Friday, 28 Mar 2003 06:43)



Glen Miller is cool

>>By lurpack   (Monday, 31 Mar 2003 16:30)



glen miller was the greatest of all times and even today all ages enjoy his music i have never heard anything close to his style his music will live on forever

>>By john   (Wednesday, 2 Apr 2003 03:54)



There is a video called "The Glenn Miller Story". Jimmy Stewart plays the role of Glenn Miller. I haven't seen it yet, but I have been looking for it.

>>By Sara   (Sunday, 13 Apr 2003 18:41)



One Amazing Man

>>By Maste' Matt   (Monday, 14 Apr 2003 23:35)



this did not tell me what songs he did in the Swing era!

>>By cu   (Tuesday, 22 Apr 2003 23:49)



I'm researching and appreciating the music of a time in America's history that will soon be forgotten. Who will survive to tell the the younger generations about this special era? Will anyone care?

>>By Poohni   (Sunday, 27 Apr 2003 08:12)



When did Miller die and where? What songs did he write and when? I think this biography is O.K. but needs some improvements. Miller was a very talented man, what other instrunments did he play?

>>By Becca   (Monday, 12 May 2003 19:07)



Glenn Miller was the greatest band leader of his era .Where are the great musican who support our military troops as Glenn did durning World War 2 . He died in support of his country flying over the English Channel going from England to France. to entertain the troops.
It is said that Bombers returning from Germany unloaded there bombs over the English Channel before landing in England and Glenn Miller's Pipper Cub was flying below and may have been hit

>>By WAITE INDIAN   (Tuesday, 13 May 2003 03:54)



Glenn Miller aws born in Clarinda Iowa, and was killed by friendly fire when his C61 Norseman was shot down by British Bombs jettisoned from Lancaster Bombers returning from sorties over Germany,three searches of the Channel found nothing of the plane. His music is timeless and has outlived him and as long as there is good Music out there it will continue to do so..

>>By Kingvinyl   (Thursday, 29 May 2003 08:56)



Some of Miller's most popular tunes were his theme Moonlight Serenade,which he wrote ,there was also In the Mood written by Andy Razaf and Joe Garland ,taken from a 1930 Riff written by Trumpet Player Wingy Manone. He also popularized Elmer's Tune,Chattanooga Choo Choo, Sunrise Serenade,Kalamazoo, That Old Black Magic,Jukebox Saturday Nite, Little Brown Jug and Many More .Serious Miller Fans can Contact me For more Info leave a message and I will answer your Questions

>>By Kingvinyl   (Thursday, 29 May 2003 09:03)



i have lots of millers music and listen to his songs every day,it is so refreshing to hear good music instead of this rap crap kids have today. i guess people like me are the only ones who enjoy good music from a man who could make my heart feel so alive.

>>By pappy baronavich   (Sunday, 1 Jun 2003 15:19)



Big Big Band Leader!!!! I'm in the mood_)))))

>>By Dejan   (Monday, 2 Jun 2003 22:12)



Why would he abandon his great orchestra and go to the army? It's just beyond me. What about his childhood?

>>By Daisy   (Thursday, 5 Jun 2003 06:02)



how many trombones have glenn miller on his life and are any trombone on somewere,??
where?????

>>By vicor rice   (Friday, 6 Jun 2003 10:34)



ummm...howbout no...?

>>By hip~hop~hurray!   (Wednesday, 18 Jun 2003 15:11)



i recently came across some glen miller 45's and am trying to find an appraiser for them any help would be appreciated.
Please contact ladylimo6@yahoo.com

>>By ladylimo6   (Sunday, 29 Jun 2003 21:36)



I once owned an album of Glen Miller, there was a song on it call something like; "the choo choo in the clock". can't seem to find it anywhere.
Any leads?
the song told a story of boy and girl sitting in a parlor.

>>By shamus70   (Wednesday, 2 Jul 2003 00:47)



Glen miller was a man far ahead of his time. His arrangments and his timing led to the opening of blues south and east with big band. If he's not the king of swing then he is most certainly the crowned prince. We lost him way to soon however I look forward to one heck of a band at the time of my passing think of it. Harry/Benny/gene/ben/and all the other king s of swing and lets not forget the dorseys, And I'm only 50 years old. Thanks for the memories thanks for the soul and thanks for the music have a good one

>>By dart   (Thursday, 3 Jul 2003 07:28)



I neva knew that

>>By BEcky   (Saturday, 5 Jul 2003 15:52)



He was so great theat its fantastic that this website is here to honour him and his work. I needed info for a school project and it helped to. Also, im a saxophone player and am a big fan of jazz and big band music. thanks

>>By LadyLidz   (Tuesday, 15 Jul 2003 20:35)



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