Today was the day that they held the memorial service for Richard's uncle in England. He loved the song "In The Mood" by Glenn Miller and so, it was played at his service. (If you haven't seen "The Glenn Miller Story" starring Jimmy Stewart...stop what you are doing and go find it and watch it!)
Here's to you, Derrick.
Seems like a strange song for a memorial given the perkiness of it, but at the same time they are supposed to celebrate the life that the deceased had. I'm not even sure what I would like played at my own service.
ReplyDeleteDerrick also requested that no black should be worn, he requested RED!
DeleteYou would have liked Derrick, everyone did.
"In the Mood" was the theme song of his band so anyone would hear it and know whose band was playing. I saw this movie when I was a kid, and more recently I saw it again. I loved his music from childhood thanks to my mom's record collection. When I was newly married, my mom got me the Glenn Miller Air Force Band album. What a treat that was until I discovered that the closet in which I kept it got too warm and warped the edges of the records!
ReplyDeleteI was sent an album of 40's music by mistake when I was a teenager, but I kept it and LOVED it! No one my age knew any of that music!!
DeleteGlenn Miller had such a fascinating life story, I hope that everyone knows that movie!!
Love the song, love the movie, glad they played it as a tribute at the memorial service.
ReplyDeleteMe too, Debra. I love it when the family does what the loved one really wants done!
DeleteA great movie and a wonderful song. I am not trying to be irreverent but how on earth did anyone keep from moving in time to the music? Actually I think it was a nice tuoch to play music that meant so much to your uncle. My condolences.
ReplyDeleteYou know, knowing Derrick I bet he would hope that folks WOULD tap their feet or move along with the music! As you say, I think it's great that they played the music that he loved. Music is one of the best things on Earth.
DeleteThe movie is great, and I love Glenn Miller's music - have several CDs on my shelf, and been to a few concerts by Will Salden's Glenn Miller Orchestra. According to their website, they are the ones who now hold all the rights to the original musical arrangements and are officially entitled to call themselves Glenn Miller Orchestra.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful gesture to have "In The Mood" played at the memorial service! When Steve was a teenager, he and his cousin Rob won a talent contest by performing "Let It Be". Rob went on to become a full-time professional musician, while Steve always kept at it more like a hobby. Still, the Beatles were his all time favourite band, and at his funeral service in England, Rob played a new recording he had made of "Let It Be" specifically for the occasion. Originally, he wanted to perform the song live at the chapel, but he then decided against playing live because he was afraid he wouldn't be able to go through with it for all the emotion.
I found it very touching and to this day can not listen to the Beatles in general (and "Let It Be" in particular) without being affected.
I hope that if you love that kind of big band music that you also enjoy dancing to it! I have loved that music since high school. I received an album of 40's Big Band music and I listened to it all the time!
DeleteWhat a beautiful memory, that your brother-in-law did "Let It Be" as a special honor for his brother. Music has a way of coming the closest to what we want to say, what we really are feeling.
Wonderful song, Glenn Miller was amazing! Again, i am sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteThank you. When I heard that they played this song at the service, I knew I had to have it on here.
DeleteHow wonderful that was played for Richard's uncle. I loved the movie; and the music.
ReplyDeleteMy mother played "In the Mood" on the piano regularly...along with all the other tunes of the Glenn Miller Band.
"Moonlight Serenade" was a huge favourite...and, of course, as my mother's name was Elma..."Elmer's Tune" was played often by Mum. I wish I had a dollar for every time I heard that tune when I was growing up! :)
In the early 70s I went to see The Glenn Miller Orchestra led by Buddy DeFranco when they performed in Brisbane (capital of Queensland) and the first piece they played was "Moonlight Serenade"...tears spontaneously streamed down my cheeks. :)
I love "Moonlight Serenade" and how wonderful to know that you heard that from a real orchestra! It must have been wonderful, lucky you!
DeleteMy sister played the piano growing up and there were so many songs that I loved. I once asked her to play all the songs from her "Book of Waltzes" as a birthday present for me! I love waltzes, they are my favorite!
Who, of my generation anyway, has not seen the movie? Wonderful. Glen Miller, Chet Atkins oh and so many more. Where did my youth go?
ReplyDeleteI think that all generations should know Glenn Miller! And I just looked up the history of "The Glenn Miller Story". The screenplay was written by Valentine Davies, who also wrote the story "The Miracle on 34th Street".
DeleteFascinating!
Graham...your youth ran away with mine, I think! :)
ReplyDeleteI hope they'll be very happy together Lee.
DeleteLee & Graham,
DeleteYou will always be young at heart! Believe it! :-)
A good tribute. xx
ReplyDeleteThanks, Amy. I wish I could be a better writer and have something more to honor Derrick but I am just a blogger and my few words and bits of video are the best I can do. xx
DeleteGlad that Derrick requested this tune, Kay, and thanks for reminding us all of the talents of Glenn Miller. I have enjoyed 40s tunes Growing up and am now in my mid-60s. It was the music of my parents youth and they shared it with me. I have several CDs with Glenn Miller and similar performers. The US Air Force band performs these standards and should not be missed if there is ever a chance to hear their performances. And, I agree that the Glenn Miller with Jimmy Stewart was a great film with even movre of my favorites, American Patril and String of Pearls included.
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