
Profession: Big Band Leader andJazz Composer
Biography: The best-selling recording artist from 1939 to 1943, leading his self-titled band the "Glenn Miller Orchestra". He also played the trombone and made many of the band's arrangements.
Miller's hits include "In the Mood", "Pennsylvania 6-5000", "Chattanooga Choo Choo", "A String of Pearls" and "Little Brown Jug".
He disappeared in 1944 in bad weather over the English Channel while traveling to entertain allied troops in France during World War II in a plane crash. His body was never found.
In 2014, long overlooked military documents were discovered which indicate Miller's plane probably crashed in the English Channel after its fuel intakes froze.
Born:March 1,1904
Birthplace: Clarinda, Iowa, USA
Generation:Greatest Generation
Chinese Zodiac:Dragon
Star Sign:Pisces
Died:December 15,1944 (aged 40)
Cause of Death: Probableplane crash over the English Channel
Career Highlights
- 1939-05-17 The Glenn Miller Orchestra begins a three month engagement at the Glen Island Casino in New Rochelle, New York
- 1940-02-05 Glenn Miller and his Orchestra record "Tuxedo Junction"
- 1940-02-10 "In The Mood" by Glenn Miller hits #1
- 1940-04-28 Glenn Miller records "Pennsylvania 6-5000"
- 1941-03-24 Glenn Miller begins work on his 1st movie "Sun Valley Serenade", starringSonja Henie and John Payne, for 20th Century Fox
- 1941-05-07 Glenn Miller records "Chattanooga Choo Choo" for RCA, it becomes 1st record to be designated "gold"
First Gold Record
1942-02-10 Glenn Miller and his Orchestra are awarded the first-ever gold record for selling 1 million copies of "Chattanooga Choo Choo"
- 1942-09-27 Glenn Miller and his Orchestra give their final performance at Central Theater in Passaic, New Jersey; Miller disbanded the group as he joined the US Army
- 1944-12-15 American bandleader Major Glenn Miller, lost over the English Channel
References
- 70 Years Later, Mystery Of Glenn Miller's Disappearance May Be Solved -Colorado Public Radio