Moonlit Facts About Glenn Miller, The Missing Band Leader
When Glenn Miller gave up a successful music career to serve his country, he had no idea it would cost him his life.
1. He Was Like A Rock Star
If the big band era had a rock star, it was certainly Glenn Miller. Sure, he looked nerdy in his tuxedos and glasses, but he had legions of fans who worshiped him. Like some other rock stars, Miller’s tragic demise came too early, and it was also full of mystery. There was an airplane, a day of foul weather, and probably a crash.
Probably? Yes, you see, they’ve never been able to locate one important thing: his body.
2. He Wasn’t Fancy
On March 1, 1904, Alton Glenn Miller was born in Clarinda, Iowa. Like most members of his family, Miller went by his middle name. Another thing the family had in common was music. Mom played the organ, and his brother played the cornet. When Miller decided he wanted to play an instrument, he realized he’d need to get down and dirty to pay for it.
3. He Needed Money
In 1915, the Millers moved to Nebraska and Glenn Miller started milking cows for extra cash. This may have been a very basic job, but what Miller did with his earnings wasn’t. He put his money together and bought a trombone.
Miller used the trombone to join the local orchestra and even added the mandolin and cornet to his skill set.
Just as Miller was settling into life in Nebraska, Mom and Dad had news for him.
4. He Met A Man
For some reason, when the Miller family moved to Colorado, Miller decided to focus on sports. By 1921, he was already one of the best football players in Colorado. But if you think Miller was the model student, you’re wrong. Miller was soon getting into trouble.
In fact, one of his teachers got an upsetting call. The local authorities had detained Miller and he needed someone to bail him out.
