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Thursday, July 5, 2012

The Glenn Miller Story

It was late to bed at my house last night. Around ten o'clock I was channel surfing and came across an old movie that I hadn't seen in a while and decided to watch for a few minutes.

"The Glenn Miller Story," starring Jimmy Stewart and June Allyson was on the Turner Classic Movie channel. Although my father liked to listen to Artie Shaw, Ray Coniff, and Jackie Gleason, Glenn Miller was always his favorite.

One of my fondest memories is of him playing his little green tonette to every song on Miller's playlist. He didn't read music, but had an amazing ear for it and never missed a note. Glenn Miller is so closely tied to my memory of my father, that it was 12-18 months after his death before I could bear to listen to a Miller tune.

Because of his love for Miller's music, every time the movie was on TV he would watch it. And last night I was up past midnight doing the same thing. I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree after all.

I've included a video of a Miller classic (my Dad's favorite) to get you in the mood and also a cover of the same tune by one of my favorite bands (BSO).

Enjoy!

 

 

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12 comments:

  1. CarmelJuly 5, 2012 at 1:35 PM

    My Dad also loved Glen. I grew up litsening to his music. Our Dads might be around the same age.

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  2. lightning36July 5, 2012 at 1:49 PM

    Love those great songs, especially In the Mood.

    My uncle was quite a well-know trumpet player and teacher back in the day -- several years after Glenn Miller passed away. Sadly, he died in an auto accident more than 50 years ago. You can still find his name online, however, as being one of the teachers of several professional musicins still alive today.

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    1. Lucki DuckJuly 5, 2012 at 3:15 PM

      What's your uncle's name?

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    2. lightning36July 5, 2012 at 6:04 PM

      Richard (Dick) Zelek. He taught music in the Chicago area.

      Some of my cousins (Dick's nephews) grew up playing the trumpet, including one, Larry Zelek, who still plays profesionally today.

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  3. RobJuly 5, 2012 at 7:39 PM

    My father would be about 10-12 years older than you and he was a huge fan of all the Big Band Music, Glenn Miller being his favorite. Although I love "In the Mood" I would say that "Moonlight Serenade" is not only my favorite but possibly the best piece of instrumental music ever, in my not so humble opinion.

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    1. RobJuly 5, 2012 at 9:58 PM

      Ooopss... I meant my father would be 10-12 older than YOUR FATHER, not you, Duck. Sorry.

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    2. Lucki DuckJuly 5, 2012 at 10:23 PM

      Yep, Moonlight Serenade was Dad's favorite too. Just between you and me, Barry Manilow has a nice cover of it on his "Swingin' With the Big Bands" album.

      Glad you clarified the age thing. I was wondering how old you thought I was :)

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    3. RobJuly 6, 2012 at 12:13 AM

      Sheepishly I will admit Manilow does a surprisingly good job, but I've always preferred the piece as an instrumental.

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