troops in France during World War II, Miller's aircraft disappeared in bad weather over the English Channel. In 1942 at the peak of his popularity, Glenn persuaded the United States Army to accept him so he could, in his own words, "be placed in charge of a modernized Army band." Sadly in 1944, while he was traveling to entertain U.S. Miller's recordings include "In the Mood," "Moonlight Serenade," "Pennsylvania 6-5000," "Chattanooga Choo Choo," "A String of Pearls," "At Last," "(I've Got a Gal In) Kalamazoo", "American Patrol," "Tuxedo Junction," "Elmer's Tune," and "Little Brown Jug." In just four years Glenn Miller scored 16 number-one records and 69 top ten hits-more than Elvis Presley (38 top 10s) and the Beatles (33 top 10s) did in their careers. He was the best-selling recording artist from 1939 to 1943, leading one of the best-known big bands. Alton Glenn Miller was an American big-band trombonist, arranger, composer, and bandleader in the swing era. Many musicians served in the military and toured with USO troupes at the front. They gave a greater role to bandleaders, arrangers, and sections of instruments rather than soloists.īig Bands uplifted morale during World War II. In contrast to the typical jazz emphasis on improvisation, big bands relied on written compositions and arrangements. The result? A huge wall of sound that inspired the very name "big band." Big bands started as accompaniment for dancing. Big band songs energized the soul of America and delivered many of the most memorable tunes in music history.įamous musicians like Glenn Miller, Cab Calloway, and Benny Goodman each had a first-rate orchestra that added to their performances. The response was to either jump up and dance or simply to tap toes to the beat. Much of the music of the era was specifically composed for a dancing audience. The music was composed to elicit response from the listener.
America's emergence from the Great Depression was set to the gait and swelling energy of the Big Band sound. Who's a fan of the Big Band? Sometime in the 1930's big bands began playing songs composed and performed to instantly get you moving. America means freedom and there's no expression of freedom quite so sincere as music.
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