The Disappearance of Glenn Miller

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On World Channel last night, History Detectives Special Investigation - "The Disappearance of Glenn Miller".

Really interesting show. When I was young we were still being taught in history about the Big Band Era, WWIII etc. I remember hearing about The Glenn Miller Band quite often but as a kid really knew nothing more than that, it was "old peoples music".

I found out last night that he was making at the time approx 15-20K dollars a week back then, and gave it up to join the Army.

He was last seen alive boarding a plane with two others Army personnel headed to France to play some music for the forces there that had just liberated the country. The weather was awful they say but they took off regardless.

There are 3 different theories (according to the show) as to what happened to him.

1) A personal interview with an RAF pilot that says Millers plane was accidentally bombed over the Channel and went down.

2) Another theory is that he was involved in very secret commando type missions in Germany using some lyrics as code for the underground and spies, and they present some evidence that may lead that way, and was disavowed by the Army after being killed in Germany.

3) Freezing weather and storms took the plane down due to the carbs freezing up and cutting out the engine.

Was a very interesting show and a nice break from all the riot/cop talk. If you can find it on your cable/On Demand or TiVo or whatever it's called these days it's worth an hour of relaxation for some good history and a story of a true Patriot who ultimately gave up not only his riches, but his life, to serve his country.

Rest in peace Sir. Wherever your bones may lay.

[centermass]

Learn something new everyday.

I had no idea.

[Jim]

Good discussion in Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenn_Miller

[Steadfast]

Big Band music is a fav of mine since 1998 - I actually grew up listening to big band music with every cartoon show I watched.

I helped a fellow veteran move (circa 2001) & he gave me 60 Albums made by Franklin Mint [who] made them into stereo from original mono knowing I like Big Band Music. Where he was moving to there was no room for his 50,000 albums. Sold most to collectors for big markdown.
Each album contained 3 33 1/3 size disc and listed songs & group info.

One of these albums was Glen Miller and the fact that his plane went down not reaching his destination while in Army.
I enjoyed playing his music and just about all the others as well.

Here's another tidbit I learned from these Big Band Albums. Duke Ellington in 1948 made his 1000 music arrangement since starting out. I have two Big Band groups on my I5 phone.
1) Charlie Parker
2) Louis armstrong & the Mill's Brothers.

All these great music men will be missed.

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This is one of the albums that they were suggesting had some coded words in the narrative spoken in German to whoever was listening.

"The Wehrmacht Hour"

http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-wehrm ... 0000783547

Jake, I actually did a book report on Louis Armstrong as a kid growing up. Ole' Satchmo was his nickname. Good stuff Brother. Always made me laugh as a child how big he could blow up his cheeks while playing.

[Ranger Ron]

Ill try to find it. I would agree, it's a good change from riots etc. Thanks for posting it!

[rangerjd]

That's an amazing story. My grandma and my mom were both Glenn Miller fans, but I never heard this story before. Makes me want to break out an old Grenn Miller record and play it.