My father loved Glenn Miller (1904-44)

The “Big Band” era had tremendous influence in Cuban music: Beny More, Orquesta Riverside, Perez Prado and many others.  As a kid, I remember hearing Glenn Miller stories from my father and how many in the island collected his LP’s.

The legendary Glenn Miller was born in Iowa on this day in 1904.   He tragically disappeared over The English Channel December 1944.   Miller’s plane was lost in route to Paris, where he was going to play for the troops that had just liberated France. 

We don’t know much about his disappearance but there are some reports that Miller’s small plane may have been hit by RAF bombers dropping their bombs into the waters of channel, or the “friendly fire” theory.  In other words, he may have been at the wrong place at the wrong time.   

Glenn Miller’s music always reminds me of my late father.  One of his many recordings was “Always in my heart” by Cuban composer Ernesto Lecuona.

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We remember Glenn Miller (1904-44)

Before he passed away in 2021, I loved chatting with Bob Jagers, author and D-Day veteran.  I enjoyed the war stories and the memories of a 22-year old man who was present on that fateful day from World War II.

We once spoke about Glenn Miller.  He said that his 3 favorite things back then were getting a letter from his girl and eventual wife, baseball news about his favorite Detroit Tigers and catching Glenn Miller's music on the radio.

We remember that Glenn Miller was born in Iowa on this day in 1904.   He tragically disappeared over The English Channel December 1944.   His plane was lost in route to Paris, where he was going to play for the troops that had just liberated France. 

We don't know much about his disappearance but there are some reports that his small plane may have been hit by RAF bombers dropping their bombs into the waters of channel, or the "the friendly fire theory".  In other words, Miller may have been at the wrong place at the wrong time.

Glenn Miller's influence went beyond music as any veteran from that period will tell you. He was too old to be drafted at 38 but he joined the service anyway.

Miller made a huge difference in the life and times of GI's far way and desperately looking for some connection with the homeland.  

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1969: The great Mickey Mantle retired from baseball

It was no surprise that Mickey Mantle retired on this day in 1969.   He had been a part-time player for several years and no longer covering center field.    

His numbers were great:  .298 career batting average, 536 HR & 1,509 RBI.

Question:  What would have been his numbers with good knees?   We can only imagine.   My guess is that Mantle would have challenged Ruth's 714 HR!

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1932: The Lindbergh baby

 

On this day in 1932, the most famous baby in the US was kidnapped.   Charles Lindbergh Jr was 20-months old and his disappearance was a front page story for a long time.   It was the kidnap of kidnaps!   Perhaps the crime of the century!

                                   

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