First Music Gig

[debris4spike]

Yesterday morning as I was waking up one of the questions that the radio show was asking, was about first gigs/concerts.  Most of you who know me know that James was my first one, although I had played in numerous orchestral & band concerts.

However my story is Mum

1944, she was just 16.  She lived in a village in Northamptonshire and within 5 miles of the village, there were 3 USAAF airdromes.  Well they had a concert at the closest one, and althugh her parents weren't pleased she decided to go - after all it was in daylight & free .... so that gave her an advantage.

So, yes, she went.  It was packed with the staff, and locals, as concerts during the war were good for moral, but also everyone knew who the performers were (that's why Mum wanted to go)

Well, have you guessed ...

Yes, it was the Glen Miller Band.  He memory of everything always mentioned the fact that between note the band chewed gum.

So, if you are going to have a "first", then Glen Miller is about as good as you get!!!!


Glenn Miller & The Army Air Force Band - "IN THE MOOD" - November 13, 1943
I had to share this piece as it's one of my favourites, and one when I was in a Band I always found hard to play!!

And this is a picture of her about a year later -

Comments

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

That is such a lovely picture of your mother.

My mother went to dances at the two nearby RAF bases as a teenager but I don't remember her mentioning any particular band. And definitely not Glenn Miller!

I honestly cannot remember the first gig I went to - how odd is that.

[debris4spike]

I suppose with Mum so loving Glen Miller, and going to the USA base, there were a lot of reasons to remember.

I only remember my first as it was 2006 ... so not "one of many" ... you were lucky to go to a few!

The first time Tim saw that photo of Mum I remember him commenting that it seem ed wrong, but he "fancied" her!!!!!

[trepkos.livejournal.com]

What an amazing first gig!

[debris4spike]

Truly one to remember!

[cbtreks.livejournal.com]

That's some first concert! His plane disappeared that year, in December - how fortunate for her that she got to see him.

I remember you mentioning that you play an instrument but don't remember which one.

[debris4spike]

Oh Glenn Millers music is something special, isn't it?

I play (but am severly out of practice at present) the clarinet, and an alto sax for fun. I did play in a band based on the Glenn Miller line-up for a few years, but was quite a bit down in the ability for some of the pieces!