Big Bands Links

The Big Band Era

Links to Big Band Information, Music, Lyrics,
and Fan Sites

Informational Links:

  • The Society of Singers Only a few of the singers heard on these pages were paid well. Some died penniless. Join us in supporting this organization which helps singers in need.
  • Band Leader Photos A set of band leader photos taken at The Frog Hop Ballroom in St. Joseph, Mo. More than thirty autographed photos from Midwest touring bands of the late 40s and 50s. Contact collector Ed Heerlein at realnbcbed@yahoo.com.
  • Big Band Library - Professional librarian Christopher Popa provides biographies, links and much more. Big band enthusiasts are invited to provide additional information
  • Big Band Talk - The Big Band Forum at David Miller's "Swingin' Down the Lane" is the place to exchange views and information on the big bands. Click on "Big Band Talk."
  • Big Bands Database Plus strives to be the greatest source of Popular Music information on the World Wide Web. It is the best I've found.
  • New Horizons International Music Association - Want to participate in making music? This program describes a program which provides entry points to music instruction for adults including those with no musical experience.
  • University of Kentucky Hepkats Swing Dance Club - Provides a compendium of information on big bands and their era related to modern swing dancing. Highly recommended.
  • War In The Pacific Animated - A delightful way to relive one period of Big Band history.

    Listen to More Big Bands:

  • Big Band Spotlight - Host Karl Gehrke of South Dakota Public Broadcasting hosts this archive of over 200 half hour and full hour broadcasts of big band music.
  • VI Corps Combat Engineers World War II - This tribute page to World War II combat engineer, Walter (Monday) Poniedzialek, has a wealth of information on that and other WW II units and links to music of the period.
  • Tuxedo Junction - the sounds of the big bands, the Swing Era, from the 1930s right through today! Rich in content including Juke Box with selections from the leading big bands.
  • Reveille with Beverly - The music, life and memories of Jean Hay who entertained troops with the AFRS "G.I. Jive" during world War II.
  • Dismuke's Electrically Recorded 1920s and 1930s Phonograph Records - A selection of over 125 seventy-eight rpm recordings in Real Audio format
  • Hot Jazz Saturday Night - Bob Bamberger's show on WAMU-FM in Washington, D.C. includes many big band selectiions you will enjoy.
  • Big Band Swing - on WLNZ Lansing Public Radio from 7:00-9:00 P.M.EDT, Tuesday and Saturday nights. Jim Stone plays big bands, swing and vocals from the great American songbook along with interviews.

  • U.S. Service Bands:
  • Airmen Of Note - the USAF band created in 1950 to carry on the style of Glenn Miller's Army Air Force band.
  • Army Blues - The "Army Blues" were initially formed as a rehearsal band in 1970. They became an official unit in 1972. Their music is top notch.
  • Marine Band - Whitburn* lists the band's recording of Semper Fideles as the earliest (August 1890) in his list of number one hits. Music is still great; though not as popular.

    Lyrics:

  • Lyrics Depot - Over 60,000 free song lyrics.
  • Harry Warren - A must for any fan of the film music of the era. David Jenkins has collected the words and music with MIDIs of hundreds of the composer's great songs.
  • Lyrics World - Main index - a comprehensive set of song lyrics from the big band era.

    Honoring Individual Bands, Singers and Composers:

  • Andrews Sisters - The official web site for this popular World War II singing group.
  • Al Bowlly - Ian Rogers' informative unofficial site dedicated to Britain's greatest popular singer of the thirties.
  • Bix Beiderbecke - Discography prepared by Jean Pierre Lion.
  • Boswell Sisters - Excellent site with biographies and plenty of music by this pioneering singing group.
  • Hoagy Carmichael - University of Indiana Library Carmichael collection. Includes historic recordings such as the original Gennett recording of "Star Dust."
  • Russ Columbo - More on the life and tragic death of the famous early crooner.
  • Perry Como Home Page - "the home for Mr. C on the internet".
  • Perry Como Discography - a comprehensive listing of Perry Como recordings by Canadian George Townsend.
  • Bing Crosby - Crosby was arguably the most popular singer/entertainer of the Twentieth Century. Here is a site worthy of the man. I highly recommend it.
  • Chick Henderson - A site devoted to the British singer whose 1939 recording of "Begin the Beguine" with Joe Loss was a highlight in a career cut short by his death in World War II.
  • Ink Spots - one of several sites devoted to this forties singing group and successor aggregations.
  • Jack Jenney - looks at the career of the great trombonist and band leader, Jack Jenney.
  • Kay Kyser - the Ol' Professor of Swing is honored here.
  • Peggy Lee - Official site for Miss Peggy Lee.
  • Mills Brothers - The offical, trademark website of The Mills Brothers. Highlighting the on-going concert performance of The Mills Brothers featuring John Mills.
  • Vaughn Monroe - his Appreciation Society presents the Vaughn Monroe orchestra in words, pictures and sound.
  • Cole Porter Resource Site - This site is a home for Cole Porter fans.
  • Rudy Vallee - The official website hosted by his widow Eleanor Vallee.
  • Artie Shaw - The official website devoted to Artie Shaw and his music.
  • Jo Stafford - an appreciation page honoring Miss Jo Stafford.
  • Claude Thornhill - A reprint of the Thornhill profile by jazz critic Whitney Balliett from New Yorker magazine issue of April 18,1988.
  • Martha Tilton - Site provides biography and links to songs by the Goodman songstress and her sister Liz.

    Note: To access the other Big Band Era pages use your back button to return to the home page.
    If that is not appropriate, here is a link.