(Monday, February 7, 1944) — Bing Crosby and the John Scott Trotter Orchestra recorded “Swinging on a Star” today for Decca Records in Los Angeles. It would appear in the film Going My Way.
Category Archives: Popular Music 1940s
Leonard Bernstein debuts as Philharmonic conductor 70 years ago this hour (1943)
Video: 'Strauss Don Quixote op.35 - Bernstein - NYP 1943'
(Sunday, November 14, 1943, 3:00 p.m. EWT) — Leonard Bernstein, 25, made his public debut today as conductor of the New York Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Hall. Bernstein filled in at the last minute for Bruno Walter, who became sick prior to a nationally broadcast concert on CBS radio.
Share this:
Bing Crosby, Ken Darby Singers record ‘Sunday, Monday or Always’ 70 years ago today (1943)
Video: 'Bing Crosby: "Sunday Monday or Always" 1943'
(Friday, July 2, 1943) — Bing Crosby recorded “Sunday, Monday or Always” today in Los Angeles for Decca Records. Made during a musician’s strike, Crosby recorded the song with the Ken Darby Singers vocal group background instead of an orchestra.
Share this:
Glenn Miller Orchestra played for the last time 70 years ago today (1942)
Video: Glenn Miller's farewell before joining the US Army
(Sunday, September 27, 1942, during World War II) — Glenn Miller and his Orchestra performed together for the very last time today at the Central Theater in Passaic, New Jersey, prior to Glenn’s entry into the Army Air Corps.
Share this:
Benny Goodman, Peggy Lee record ‘Why Don’t You Do Right’ in New York 70 years ago today (1942)
(Monday, July 27, 1942) — Benny Goodman and his Orchestra and vocalist Peggy Lee recorded Why Don’t You Do Right today in New York for Columbia Records.
Share this:
Sinatra records ‘There Are Such Things’ with Tommy Dorsey’s orchestra 70 years ago today (1942)
(Wednesday, July 1, 1942) — Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra and vocalist Frank Sinatra recorded There Are Such Things in New York today for Victor Records. Continue reading Sinatra records ‘There Are Such Things’ with Tommy Dorsey’s orchestra 70 years ago today (1942)
Share this:
Crosby records new versions of ‘Adeste Fideles,’ ‘Silent Night’ 70 years ago today (1942)
Audio: 'Adeste Fideles' (1942 version)
(Monday, June 8, 1942) — Still in a Christmas mood ten days after recording White Christmas, the best-selling single of all time, singer Bing Crosby recorded new versions of Adeste Fideles and Silent Night today in Los Angeles for Decca Records. Continue reading Crosby records new versions of ‘Adeste Fideles,’ ‘Silent Night’ 70 years ago today (1942)
Share this:
Bob Dylan born in Duluth
(Saturday, May 24, 1941) — Robert Allen Zimmerman, better known as Bob Dylan, the iconic singer-songwriter, poet, and painter, was born today in St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth, Minnesota.
Share this:
‘Amapola (Pretty Little Poppy)’ by Jimmy Dorsey peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 29 1941)
(Saturday, March 29, 1941) — “Amapola (Pretty Little Poppy)” by the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra with vocalists Helen O’Connell and Bob Eberly peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for ten consecutive weeks (March 29, April 5/12/19/26, May 3/10/17/24/31, 1941). Continue reading ‘Amapola (Pretty Little Poppy)’ by Jimmy Dorsey peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 29 1941)
