The Crew Chiefs
Encyclopedia
The Crew Chiefs were a vocal group popular in the 1940s, known for accompanying Tex Beneke
, Glenn Miller
, and Ray McKinley
. Member Artie Malvin
co-wrote the song "I'm Headin' For California
" with Glenn Miller in 1944.
Tex Beneke
Gordon Lee Beneke , professionally known as Tex Beneke, was an American saxophonist, singer, and bandleader. His career is a history of associations with bandleader Glenn Miller and former musicians and singers who worked with Miller. His band is also associated with the careers of Eydie Gorme...
, Glenn Miller
Glenn Miller
Alton Glenn Miller was an American jazz musician , arranger, composer, and bandleader in the swing era. He was one of the best-selling recording artists from 1939 to 1943, leading one of the best known "Big Bands"...
, and Ray McKinley
Ray McKinley
Ray McKinley was an American jazz drummer, singer, and bandleader.McKinley got his start working with local bands in the Dallas–Fort Worth area, before joining Smith Ballew in 1929, when he met Glenn Miller. The two formed a friendship which lasted from 1929 until Miller's death in 1944....
. Member Artie Malvin
Artie Malvin
Artie Malvin was a composer and vocalist who was the baritone member of The Crew Chiefs, and he also sang with Glenn Miller's band....
co-wrote the song "I'm Headin' For California
I'm Headin' For California
I'm Headin' For California is a 1944 song composed by Glenn Miller and performed for radio broadcast. The song was released in 1946 as a 78 single by the Glenn Miller Orchestra led by Tex Beneke...
" with Glenn Miller in 1944.
Appearances
- Glenn MillerGlenn MillerAlton Glenn Miller was an American jazz musician , arranger, composer, and bandleader in the swing era. He was one of the best-selling recording artists from 1939 to 1943, leading one of the best known "Big Bands"...
and the Army Air Forces Training Command Orchestra (with Johnny DesmondJohnny DesmondJohnny Desmond , born Giovanni Alfredo De Simone, was a popular American singer.-Early years:...
) – "Moon Dreams" (1944)
- Glenn Miller OrchestraGlenn Miller OrchestraThe Glenn Miller Orchestra was originally formed in 1938 by Glenn Miller. It was arranged around a clarinet and tenor saxophone playing melody, while three other saxophones played the harmony...
– "Have Ya Got Any Gum, Chum?Have Ya Got Any Gum, Chum?"Have Ya Got Any Gum, Chum?" is a big band jazz song written by Murray Kane in 1944. The music and lyrics were registered in the United States Copyright Catalog on 6 February 1945.- Recordings :...
" (1945) - Glenn Miller OrchestraGlenn Miller OrchestraThe Glenn Miller Orchestra was originally formed in 1938 by Glenn Miller. It was arranged around a clarinet and tenor saxophone playing melody, while three other saxophones played the harmony...
(with Ray McKinleyRay McKinleyRay McKinley was an American jazz drummer, singer, and bandleader.McKinley got his start working with local bands in the Dallas–Fort Worth area, before joining Smith Ballew in 1929, when he met Glenn Miller. The two formed a friendship which lasted from 1929 until Miller's death in 1944....
) – "Chattanooga Choo-Choo" (1944) - Glenn Miller OrchestraGlenn Miller OrchestraThe Glenn Miller Orchestra was originally formed in 1938 by Glenn Miller. It was arranged around a clarinet and tenor saxophone playing melody, while three other saxophones played the harmony...
(with Johnny DesmondJohnny DesmondJohnny Desmond , born Giovanni Alfredo De Simone, was a popular American singer.-Early years:...
) – "The Trolley SongThe Trolley Song"The Trolley Song" is a song written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane and made famous by Judy Garland in the 1944 film Meet Me in St. Louis...
" (1945) - Glenn Miller OrchestraGlenn Miller OrchestraThe Glenn Miller Orchestra was originally formed in 1938 by Glenn Miller. It was arranged around a clarinet and tenor saxophone playing melody, while three other saxophones played the harmony...
– "It's Love-Love-LoveIt's Love-Love-Love"It's Love, Love, Love" is a popular song.The music was written by Joan Whitney and Alex Kramer, with lyrics by Mack David, and published in 1943....
" (1944) - Glenn Miller OrchestraGlenn Miller OrchestraThe Glenn Miller Orchestra was originally formed in 1938 by Glenn Miller. It was arranged around a clarinet and tenor saxophone playing melody, while three other saxophones played the harmony...
– "There Are Yanks" (1944) - Glenn Miller OrchestraGlenn Miller OrchestraThe Glenn Miller Orchestra was originally formed in 1938 by Glenn Miller. It was arranged around a clarinet and tenor saxophone playing melody, while three other saxophones played the harmony...
(with Tex BenekeTex BenekeGordon Lee Beneke , professionally known as Tex Beneke, was an American saxophonist, singer, and bandleader. His career is a history of associations with bandleader Glenn Miller and former musicians and singers who worked with Miller. His band is also associated with the careers of Eydie Gorme...
) – "I'm Headin' For CaliforniaI'm Headin' For CaliforniaI'm Headin' For California is a 1944 song composed by Glenn Miller and performed for radio broadcast. The song was released in 1946 as a 78 single by the Glenn Miller Orchestra led by Tex Beneke...
" (1946)
Members
The following singers all had tenure within the group:- Bill ConwayBill ConwayWilliam F. Conway was a backup catcher in Major League Baseball. Listed at 5' 8", 170 lb., Conway batted and threw right-handed...
- Murray KaneMurray KaneMurray Kane was an American Corporal, composer and band manager. As a performer, he was a member of the Crew Chiefs vocal group and the Glenn Miller Orchestra.- Early life :...
- Gene Steck
- Steve Steck
- Artie MalvinArtie MalvinArtie Malvin was a composer and vocalist who was the baritone member of The Crew Chiefs, and he also sang with Glenn Miller's band....
- Lynn Allison