Music of the World War II Era (American History through Music)

In the World War II era, big bands and swing music reached the heights of popularity with soldiers as well as friends and loved ones back home. Many entertainers such as Glenn Miller also served in the military, or supported the war effort with bond drives and entertaining the troops at home and abroad. In addition to big band and swing music, musicals, jazz, blues, gospel and country music were also popular. Chapters on each, along with an analysis of the evolution of record companies, records, radios, and television are included here, for students, historians, and fans of the era. Includes a timeline of the music of the era, an appendix of the Broadway and Hollywood Musicals, 1939-1945, and an appendix of Songs, Composers, and lyricists, 1939-1945. An extensive discography and bibliography, along with approximately 35 black and white photos, complete the volume. Contents......Page 8 Acknowledgments......Page 10 Introduction......Page 12 1: Music about World War II......Page 22 2: Popular Hits and Standards......Page 48 3: Swing, Jazz, and Rhythm ‘n’ Blues......Page 76 4: Recordings and the Music Business......Page 104 5: Music on Radio......Page 126 6: Music on Stage and Screen......Page 146 7: Country Music......Page 168 8: Classical Music......Page 196 A Musical Timeline for the Period 1939–1945......Page 216 Appendix A: Broadway and Hollywood Musicals by Title, 1939–1945......Page 222 Appendix B: The Songs, Composers, and Lyricists of World War II, 1939–1945......Page 228 Notes......Page 254 Selected Bibliography......Page 260 Index......Page 272 Popular music for the most part turns a blind eye to history. But with the country's plunge into World War II, songwriters composed their responses. Songs ridiculing the Axis powers flooded the market, as did patriot calls to duty. The draft of male musicians opened the way for all-girl bands, and ethnic vocal groups