Columnist Joe Delaney: The Miller story you probably haven't heard

Joe Delaney's column appears Thursdays and Fridays. Reach him at 259-4066 or [email protected]

The Glenn Miller Orchestra, celebrating its 61st consecutive year performing on tour, will play for dancing and good listening in the Stardust Events Center starting at 7 p.m. Saturday. ... This is an appropriate July 4 weekend booking. ... Licensed by the Glenn Miller Estate, this is the closest you can come to hearing the real thing from a "ghost band," with the possible exception of the Count Basie Orchestra.

Alton Glenn Miller, leader of the most popular dance band of all time, was born in Clarinda, Iowa, on March 1, 1904. ... A commissioned officer in the United States Air Force, he was lost in a plane flight from England to France that left on Dec. 15, 1944, and was never found.

An average trombonist but an excellent organizer, leader and arranger, Miller left the University of Colorado early to pursue a career in music, migrating to Chicago in 1926 to join the Ben Pollack band.

In good company

The Ben Pollack all-stars included Benny Goodman, Jack and Charlie Teagarden and Bud Freeman, with Miller as second trombone and arranger. ... After two years Miller continued on to New York City, primarily as an arranger. ... He did record with top jazzmen including Bunny Berigan and the former Pollack sidemen. He was a good section man, not a soloist.

After a stint with Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, he organized an orchestra, heavy with top jazz players for British band leader Ray Noble in the United States ... He also arranged for Glen Gray, Ozzie Nelson (Rick's father) and Vincent Lopez before forming his own orchestra in 1937.

The 1937 band failed but the reorganization in 1938 with radio network wires from the Meadowbrook in New Jersey and, later, the Glen Island Casino in New Rochelle, N.Y., led to a two-sided record hit, "Moonlight Serenade" coupled with "Sunrise Serenade," and an era was begun.

Miller's top hits

"In The Mood," "Little Brown Jug," "Pennsylvania 6-5000," "Tuxedo Junction," "Blueberry Hill," "Chattanooga Choo Choo," "String of Pearls" and "Elmer's Tune" were just a few of the Miller best sellers between 1938 and 1942 when Glenn went into the service. ... Ray Eberle, Marion Hutton, Paula Kelly & The Modernaires and Tex Beneke were featured vocalists; Jerry Gray was the main arranger.

Beneke, still active, doubled tenor sax and was featured on "Chattanooga Choo Choo." ... Beneke and his orchestra performed at the Stardust earlier this year. ... Band leader Ray Anthony, who also featured the Miller sound, is another Stardust dance regular.

Trombonist Larry O'Brien has been with this Glenn Miller Band since 1981 after a distinguished career with a number of top orchestras. ... Despite its swing era origin, the Miller orchestra was always a dance band.

An inside story

RCA Victor may deny this, but take my word for it, it's true. ... After World War II RCA decided to create a "new" Glenn Miller Orchestra. ... At the planning meeting, they were trying to recall the name of one of his top arrangers, other than Jerry Gray, with another label. ... Someone thought his name started with an "F." ... Another came up with "Flanagan."

Ralph Flanagan, well respected, who had nothing to do with the Glenn Miller Orchestra, was given this choice assignment and retired a very rich man. ... One day Bill Finegan, the person whose name they were trying to recall, quietly asked why Flanagan was chosen when he (Finegan) had written many of Miller's arrangements?

As a result, RCA financed and recorded the Sauter-Finegan Orchestra, which had a modest hit single with "The Doodletown Fifers," plus several album releases on the label. ... They also played the Thunderbird in the late 1940s.

In conclusion

There you have some of the Glenn Miller story. ... Build a few reminiscences of your own Saturday at the Stardust. ... Miller's music has brought us so much pleasure. ... He went into the service early and lost his life in uniform. ... Saturday night at the Stardust seems a good place to be during this Fourth of July weekend.

Good music at Ruth's Chris West, with pianist-jazz singer Joe Darro and Allyn Gamble Tuesdays through Saturdays, and Terry James with Mike Beisner on Sundays. ... Check out Marv Koral's All-Stars featuring trombonist Carl Fontana, 5:30-9:30 p.m. Sunday, in the Flight Deck Restaurant at the NLV Air Terminal. ... Have a safe and sane Fourth of July. ... See you next Thursday.

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