Today the shelf life of a hit record on the charts is measured in weeks. Seventy years ago it could be measured in months. That’s why it’s so hard to pin down the exact chart standings of June 6, 1944. To simplify matters, I’m going to play the Top 20 of 1944 to show what our parents – and for some, grandparents – were listening to during World War II. But first a word from our sponsor.
Harry James (1916-83) was born in Albany, Georgia, the son of a bandleader in a traveling circus. His mother was an acrobat and horseback rider. By 10 he was taking trumpet lessons from his father.
In 1931 his family settled in Beaumont, Texas. It was here at 15 that Harry began playing in local dance bands. By 1937 he joined Benny Goodman’s orchestra, where he stayed through 1938. He was nicknamed “The Hawk” early in his career for his ability to sight-read. A common joke was that if a fly landed on his score, Harry would play it. His low range had a wonderful warmth, but this sound was largely ignored in favor of his brilliant high register.
In January 1939, Harry debuted his own big band in Philadelphia, but it didn’t click until 1941 when he added a string section. His was the first band to employ Frank Sinatra. He wanted to change Sinatra’s name to Frankie Satin, but Sinatra told him where to go. His later band included drummer Buddy Rich.
His orchestra succeeded Glenn Miller’s radio program in 1942 when Miller disbanded his orchestra to enter the Army.