Swing To

Ralph Flanagan (born Ralph Elias Flenniken; April 7, 1914 in Lorain, Ohio - died December 30th, 1995 in Miami, Florida) was a famed big band leader, conductor, pianist, composer, and arranger for the orchestras of Hal McIntyre, Sammy Kaye, Blue Barron, Charlie Barnet, and Alvino Rey. During World War II he served in the Merchant Marine from October 1942 to 1946. By 1949 he formed a very successful orchestra which is credited with re-popularizing the Glenn Miller 'sound,' and which made many records, among them Singing Winds; Rag Mop; Hot Toddy and Flanagan's Boogie. The Ralph Flanagan band was managed by Herb Hendler, who had signed Glenn Miller to his ?nal record contract before Miller's fatal plane crash in the English Channel during World War II. It was Hendler who had encouraged Flanagan to adopt the Miller sound that led to his sucess. Hendler also co- wrote 'Hot Toddy,' which was recorded by many artists, including Chet Atkins, Rosemary Clooney, Red Foley and Julie London. The Flanagan orchestra's theme songs were 'Giannina Mia' and 'Singing Winds', the latter title also applying to the orchestra's singing group.