Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Glenn Miller

Role / Field:

Iconic American big band musician, composer, and arranger of the 20th century.

Born:

1904-03-01

Died:

1944-12-15

Century / Era:

1904s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Alton Glen "Glenn" Miller (March 1, 1904 – December 15, 1944) was an American big band conductor, arranger, composer, trombonist, and recording artist before and during World War II, when he was an officer in the US Army Air Forces. His civilian band, Glenn Miller and his Orchestra, was one of the most popular and successful bands of the 20th century and the big-band era. Glenn Miller and his Orchestra was the best-selling recording band from 1939 to 1942. Unlike his military unit, Miller's civilian band did not have a string section, but it did have a stand-up bass in the rhythm section.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

It was also a touring band that played multiple radio broadcasts nearly every day. Its best-selling records include Miller's theme song, "Moonlight Serenade", and the first gold record ever made, "Chattanooga Choo Choo", a song on the soundtrack of Miller's first film, Sun Valley Serenade, and the number-one song in the United States on December 7, 1941. The following tunes are also on that best-seller list: "In the Mood", "Pennsylvania 6-5000" (printed as "Pennsylvania Six-Five Thousand" on record labels), "A String of Pearls", "Moonlight Cocktail", "At Last", "(I've Got a Gal In) Kalamazoo", "American...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Alejo Carpentier — Contemporary (Born in 1904) (1904): Influential Cuban novelist, essayist, and musicologist of the Latin American Boom.
• Alice Rahon — Contemporary (Born in 1904) (1904): French-born Mexican poet and painter whose work bridged surrealism and abstraction.
• Ancel Keys — Contemporary (Born in 1904) (1904): Pioneering physiologist who studied diet's influence on health, notably fat replacement.
• Aimee Semple McPherson — Contemporary (Died in 1944) (1944): Pioneering Pentecostal evangelist, famous for founding the Foursquare Church.
• Alan Parker — Contemporary (Born in 1944) (1944): Acclaimed English filmmaker known for genre versatility and numerous BAFTA and Golden Globe wins.
• Alexis Carrel — Contemporary (Died in 1944) (1944): Pioneering French surgeon and biologist known for vascular suturing and early transplantology.
• 6th Dalai Lama — Shared historical date (03-01 · Born) (1683): The 6th Dalai Lama, a spiritual figure known for his unconventional lifestyle and profound influence in Tibet.
• Akira Toriyama — Shared historical date (03-01 · Died) (2024): Pioneering manga artist, creator of Dr. Slump and the global phenomenon, Dragon Ball.
• Adam Brody — Shared historical date (12-15 · Born) (1979): American actor known for roles in The O.C., Shazam!, and StartUp.
• Akira Mutō — Shared historical date (12-15 · Born) (1892): Imperial Japanese Army General implicated in war crimes during WWII.
• 1904 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1904
• March 1 (03-01) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on March 1
• 1944 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1944
• December 15 (12-15) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on December 15

Frequently Asked Questions about Glenn Miller