Moonlight Serenade (1939)

The Perkins House in Colfax, WA has a large number of historical items. Including phonograph records, many more than a hundred years old and containing songs seldom if ever heard today. These records are made of shellac, not vinyl. We in the Perkins House are honored to share our collection with you.


Moonlight Serenade

RCA BLUEBIRD PHONOGRAPH RECORDS – B-10214-B
Glenn Miller, composer
The Glenn Miller Orchestra, Instrumentalists
Issued 1939 – Canadian edition


“Moonlight Serenade” became bandleader Glenn Miller’s (1904-1944) signature song, despite its place on the b-side of his 1939 “Sunrise Serenade” release. In that year alone, Miller had five top-20 records on the Billboard charts, and “Sunrise Serenade” became his first record to sell more than one million copies. The swing music that Miller and his orchestra performed was infused with elements of jazz and featured a unique combination of sound from the clarinet and saxophone. The bandleader's pure, romantic swing sound appealed to dance audiences nationally and overseas. – Smithsonian Institute


Bluebird Records is an American record label best known for its low-cost releases, primarily of children's music, blues, jazz and swing in the 1930s and 1940s. Bluebird was founded in 1932 as a lower-priced subsidiary label of RCA Victor. Bluebird was noted for what came to be known as the "Bluebird sound", which influenced rhythm and blues and early rock and roll. It is currently owned by RCA Records parent company Sony Music Entertainment. - Wikipedia