Big Band Magazine - Magazine - Page 6
Soon, wartime-inspired ballads and novelties would make up much of the band's
repertoire, including "Skylark," "Always in My Heart," "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree,"
and "When Johnny Comes Marching Home." Glenn also promoted Irving Berlin's
"At the President's Birthday Ball," honoring President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the
March of Dimes. The "Sunset Serenade" broadcasts moved to the Mutual network in
January and continued through May, when Glenn moved the format to his CBS
Chesterfield series. On February 10, RCA presented Miller with the first "gold record"
to commemorate Chattanooga Choo Choo, passing one million, two hundred
thousand sales. By March, the band had headed west to make "Orchestra Wives,"
their second film for Twentieth Century Fox. More hit tunes followed in the mold of
"Sun Valley Serenade," including "Serenade in Blue," "At Last," and
"I've Got a Gal in Kalamazoo."
Before heading west, Miller met privately with officials in Washington, DC, to explore
ways he might be of service, including the Army Specialist Corps (morale and
recreation) and Special Services Radio Branch (soon to be the Armed Forces
Radio Service).
The Army Air Forces (AAF) had an ambitious plan to operate radio and film units, and
everyone promised to keep Glenn in mind. In California, Helen and Glenn Miller
moved into their 55-acre ranch with orange orchards, which they purchased in 1941.
Glenn named their new home "Tuxedo Junction." RCA upgraded Glenn from
Bluebird to Victor, and in a preview of coming attractions, on April 2, the band
recorded the patriotic "American Patrol." The band sensed Glenn's restlessness and
realized a change might come. In Chicago, Glenn met with musician Eddie Peabody,
now an officer in the Navy, to discuss the possibility of Glenn becoming an officer.
However, the Navy declined Glenn's application for a commission, even though he
was recommended by no one other than Bing Crosby. While the band was in
Chicago, Glenn made the painful decision to let Ray Eberle go, and vocalist
Skip Nelson joined the band. Nelson recorded many tunes during the marathon held
from July 14 to 16. This was necessary because of a looming recording strike by the
musicians' union.
So it came to pass that on August 10, Glenn applied for a commission in the Army,
which was immediately and enthusiastically approved. On September 10, he called t
he band together at rehearsal to inform them of his decision to enlist. On September
24, the band appeared on their emotional final Chesterfield broadcast, where Glenn
dramatically introduced Harry James as his successor. Following a July 26 appearance
on Coca-Cola Spotlight Bands, the band made their final appearance at the Central
Theater in Passaic, New Jersey, on July 27. Captain Glenn Miller was scheduled to
report for duty on October 7. Glenn Miller and his Orchestra, America's number one
band, had disappeared into history.
To be continued …
