Alton Glenn Miller was born on March 1st 1904 in Clarinda, Iowa. He was one of 4 children raised by Mattie Lou and Lewis Elmer Miller.
Glenn Millers First Foray into the World of Music
One of Glenn's earliest forays into the world of music came at the age of 13 when he raised enough money from the milking of cows in order to buy a trombone which he practiced at every opportunity. And it wasn't long before he had developed his skill to a level which enabled him to join the town orchestra.
In 1923, Glenn went to the University of Colorado. Unfortunately the draw of academia wasn't for him as it was reported that Glenn regularly cut classes to attend auditions or to play his trombone where ever he could, all the time honing his skill as a musician.
Having failed 3 out of 5 classes during one semester, Glenn decided it was time to leave University. His intention was to make music his career. Initially Glenn played for a number of orchestras before joining Ben Pollock's Group. While touring with the group, Glenn married his sweetheart, Helen Burger who he had net while at college.
Glenn Miller's First Recordings
During the next few years, Miller began to earn a living as a freelance trombonist and music arranger, recording music under his own name for the first time in 1935. His first recordings included 'Moonlight on the Ganges' and a Blue Serenade' but as they only sold a few hundred copies they couldn't be described as runaway successes.
In 1937 Glenn organised his own orchestra but within a year it had been disbanded and he returned to New York City. He realised that in order to succeed he would have to create a unique sound.
The Big Band Sound is Formed
Glen Miller formed his 2nd band in March 1939. Success followed very quickly and it wasn't long before the band started to play before record crowds along the East Coast, even attracting the biggest dancing crowd in the city's history when they played at the New York State Fair in Syracuse.
Major success followed when the band's recording of 'Tuxedo Junction' in 1940 sold 115,000 copies in the first week following its release. And Miller and his band 'starred' in the Moonlight Serenade radio series which aired 3 times a week for CBS.
The Glenn Miller Orchestra as the band was called was a little unusual in that there were no star soloists, instead the famous well-blended sound which made them so popular put the emphasis on the whole orchestra.
Miller Joins the American Army Air Corps
During the 2nd World War, Miller disbanded the orchestra when he accepted a commission in the American Army Air Corps in 1942. He was made a Captain and later promoted to Major. Miller was named director of bands for the Technical Training Command and helped organise a number of bands before receiving permission to form his own.
Miller wanted to add string instruments to his band in order to 'transcend the conventional sound of a dance band'. In November 1943, Miller was released from his other responsibilities leaving him free to concentrate on the development of his own band.
After repeated requests, Miller received permission to take the band overseas and in June 1944 the Miller sound was heard 'live' in Britain when they started performing for the BBC which broadcast weekly performances.
Miller also took his band to perform at military airfields and hospitals, but it wasn't long before he started to request permission to entertain the troops at the front. Finally he overcame opposition from the American Army Air Corps and the BBC and received permission to take the band to Paris.
Miller arranged to fly to Paris ahead of the band in order to finalise the arrangements. Cornel Baessell was flying to France on December 15th and offered Miller a seat on the plane which he accepted.
The Norseman plane took off as scheduled but never arrived at its destination. Although no wreckage was found, the plane is believed to have gone down over the English Channel with the loss of the 3 people on board. he mysterious circumstances of Glenn Miller's death sparked a number of conspiracy theories which still abound today
Glenn Miller was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star in recognition of his contribution to the war effort.
Today Glenn Miller's music is as popular as ever with a number of tribute bands playing to audiences, many of whom were not even born when the music was written.
Sources:
- BBC History on line
- Glenn Miller Orchestra on line
- Glenn Miller.org
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