The Crew Chiefs were a

vocal group A vocal group is a performing ensemble of vocalists who sing and harmonize together. The first well-known vocals groups emerged in the 19th century, and the style had reached widespread popularity by the 1940s. Types Vocal groups can come in se ...

popular in the 1940s, known for accompanying Tex Beneke,

Glenn Miller Alton Glen Miller (March 1, 1904 – December 15, 1944) was an American big band founder, owner, conductor, composer, arranger, trombone player and recording artist before and during World War II, when he was an officer in the United States Arm ...

, and Ray McKinley. Member

Artie Malvin Artie Malvin (July 7, 1922 – June 16, 2006) was a composer and vocalist who was the baritone member of The Crew Chiefs. He also sang with Glenn Miller's band. Career During World War II, Malvin performed with Glenn Miller as part of The Cre ...

co-wrote the song " I'm Headin' For California" with Glenn Miller in 1944.

Appearances

The name of the group is an allusion to a crew chief in the U.S. Army Air Force. A Crew Chief is responsible for the day to day condition of the military aircraft assigned to them. The group appeared on the ''I Sustain the Wings'' radio broadcasts with Captain Glenn Miller and the Army Air Forces Training Command Orchestra. They also appeared on the V Discs released by the U.S. War Department. After the war, they were part of the Glenn Miller Orchestra under the direction of Tex Beneke. Their appearances include: *

and the Army Air Forces Training Command Orchestra (with

Johnny Desmond Johnny Desmond (born Giovanni Alfredo De Simone; November 14, 1919 – September 6, 1985) was an American singer who was popular in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. Biography Early years Desmond was born Giovanni de Simone in Detroit, Michigan, ...

) – "Moon Dreams" (1944) *

Glenn Miller Orchestra Glenn Miller and His Orchestra was an American swing dance band formed by Glenn Miller in 1938. Arranged around a clarinet and tenor saxophone playing melody, and three other saxophones playing harmony, the band became the most popular and com ...

– " Have Ya Got Any Gum, Chum?" (1945) *

(with Ray McKinley) – "

Chattanooga Choo-Choo "Chattanooga Choo Choo" is a 1941 song written by Mack Gordon and composed by Harry Warren. It was originally recorded as a big band/swing tune by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra and featured in the 1941 movie '' Sun Valley Serenade''. It was t ...

" (1944) *

(with

) – "

The 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''. In a 1989 NPR interview, Blane said the song was inspired by a picture of a trolleycar in a turn-of-t ...

" (1945) *

– " It's Love-Love-Love" (1944) *

– " There Are Yanks" (1944) *

(with Tex Beneke) – " I'm Headin' For California" (1946)

Members

The following singers all had tenure within the group: * Bill Conway * Murray Kane * Gene Steck * Steve Steck *

* Lynn Allison

References

Sources

*Butcher, Geoffrey (1997). ''Next to a Letter from Home.'' *Polic, Edward F. (1989). ''The Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band: Sustineo Alas 2.'' *Simon, George Thomas. (1974). ''Glenn Miller and His Orchestra.'' {{DEFAULTSORT:Crew Chiefs American vocal groups