On March 1, 1904 Alton Glenn Miller, later known as Glenn Miller, was born in Iowa. His mother would pass on her love of music onto him. Growing up Glenn moved to several states in 1906 they moved to Nebraska, and then in 1917 they moved to Grant City, Missouri. In Missouri Glenn and his older brother Dean joined the community band. He played Trombone for them.
In 1918 they again moved, but to Fort Morgan, Colorado. He was a part of the football team, but did not give up on music. His passion for a new type of music called dance band music, even caused him and some fellow classmates to start their own band.
His passion for the music was so big in 1921 instead of staying for his graduation he wet to Wyoming to play in a band. His mother had to accept his diploma on his part. The principal even commented that she worked harder on it than Glenn did.
Glenn made the decision to become a professional musician. He had even signed a contract with a band called the Senators Stampedes. He had attempted to stay in college even was a part of the Boulder Orchestra, but it only lasted two years. He then went onto the Tommy Watkins Orchestra.
Glenn had played for several bands from Los Angeles to New York, and 1937 he finally decided to create his own band. It had failed, but he did not give up his dreams. He tried again in the March of 1939 and this time he gained recognition. By the fall of 1939 the band was known nation wide. They even played for the movies Sun Valley Serenade in 1941 and Orchestra Wives in 1942.
In 1942 Glenn thought it was best to serve in the military and support the troops. He was not drafted due to his older age and so he volunteered, but was initially rejected. After writing to the Army's Brigadier General Charles Young on August 12, 1942 he was accepted. He was hired to help bring more life to the military band and modernize them.
The last concert his civilian band played was on September 27, 1942. It was a sad occasion for the whole band. Their last song was supposed to be their theme song Moonlight Serenade. They could not finish it all the way.
Glenn became part of the Army Specialty Corps and conducted a 50 member Army Air Force Band. His goal was to bring some modernization to the military band. He wanted the troops to feel a touch at home with their music.
Like in his civilian life Glenn's Military Band was a hit. Some even claim that this was the best band he was a part of. The band gave over 800 performances many were for the troops, and some were broadcasts. They even played for the troops overseas
On December 15, 1944, Glenn boarded a single-engine C-64 plane from the UK to Paris. He was going to prepare the band to play. But Glenn never made it to France. It's believed that his plane crashed into the English Channel.
Glenn was a 40-year-old male. There aren't any other statistics for him.
Sources:
Glenn Miller
Doe Network
War Time Entertainment in WWII
USO
