Profession: Big Band Leader and Jazz Composer
Why Famous: The best-selling recording artist from 1939 to 1943, leading his self-titled band the "Glenn Miller Orchestra".
Miller's hits include "In the Mood", "Pennsylvania 6-5000", "Chattanooga Choo Choo", "A String of Pearls" and "Little Brown Jug".
He disappeared in 1944 in bad weather over the English Channel while traveling to entertain allied troops in France during World War II in a suspected plane crash. His body was never found.
In 2014, long overlooked military documents were discovered which indicate Miller's plane probably crashed in the English Channel after its fuel intakes froze.
Born: March 1, 1904
Birthplace: Clarinda, Iowa, USA
Generation: Greatest Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Dragon
Star Sign: Pisces
Died: December 15, 1944 (aged 40)
Cause of Death: Probable plane crash over the English Channel
Articles and Photos
Historical Events
- 1940-02-05 Glenn Miller and his Orchestra record "Tuxedo Junction"
- 1940-02-10 "In The Mood" by Glenn Miller hits #1
- 1940-04-28 Glenn Miller records "Pennsylvania 6-5000"
- 1941-03-24 Glenn Miller begins work on his 1st movie "Sun Valley Serenade", starring Sonja Henie and John Payne, for 20th Century Fox
- 1941-05-07 Glenn Miller records "Chattanooga Choo Choo" for RCA
- 1942-02-10 Glenn Miller awarded 1st ever gold record for selling 1 million copies of "Chattanooga Choo Choo"
- 1944-12-15 Bandleader, Major Glenn Miller, lost over English Channel
Biographies and Sources
- 70 Years Later, Mystery Of Glenn Miller's Disappearance May Be Solved - Colorado Public Radio
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George M. Cohan
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