Glenn Miller

Glenn Miller was one of the giants of the Big Band Era. He started his musical career right out of high school, took a break to attend college for a year, and eventually found his way to New York where he freelanced as a musician and arranger.

He eventually formed his own orchestra. After struggling for a while, he got his big break when his performances at the Glen Island Casino in New Rochelle, New York, were broadcast on the radio in 1939. By the end of that year, his was the top dance band in the country, with hits such as In the Mood and PEnnsylvania 6-5000. Many other radio appearances, many of which are included in this collection, and even some movies followed in the next three years.

(As an aside, PEnnsylvania 6-5000 was the phone number of the Hotel Pennsylvania, which is across Seventh Avenue from Pennsylvania Station in midtown Manhattan and where I stayed frequently when I worked for the railroad. Legend holds that the girlfriend of one of the band members lived at the hotel and that he called that number every night when on tour.)

When World War II broke out, Miller enlisted in the Army and was assigned to head the Army Air Force Band, which not only toured to entertain and boost the morale of the troops, but was also featured in a CBS radio show, I Sustain the Wings. While Miller was touring Europe in 1944, the plane carrying him from England to newly-liberated France was at sea over the English Channel. Miller remains officially listed as "missing in action."

After war, a new Glenn Miller Orchestra was formed under the auspices of the Miller Estate to carry on Miller's musical legacy. That band continues to tour today.

For more information, see Biography.com.

Series description provided by Frank Bell.