Ray Eberle

January 19, 1919 (age 60)

Mechanicville, Saratoga County, New York

Eberle sang with the Glenn Miller Orchestra. Ray started singing in his teens, with no formal training. In 1938, Glenn Miller, who was looking for a male vocalist for his big band, asked Eberly if he had any siblings at home who could sing. Bob said "yes", and Ray was hired on the spot. Eberle recalled walking by a table when his similar looking brother was performing, and being stopped by Miller and invited to audition. Music critics and Miller"s musicians were reportedly unhappy with Eberle"s vocal style but Miller stuck with him. Ray Eberle went on to find success with Miller, deeming the songs for Orchestra Wives, such as the jazz standard "At Last", to be among his favorites as there were songs he could "sink my teeth into, and make a story out of". He made several Universal films, including Mister Big, making a cameo appearance as himself. Eberle mostly sang ballads. He led his own orchestra called, The Ray Eberle Orchestra as well as the Serenade In Blue Orchestra from 1943 and maintained his band until his death in 1979. From 1940-1943 he did well on Billboard (magazine)"s "College Poll" for male vocalist. He also appeared on numerous television variety shows in the 1950s and 1960s. Ray Eberle sang lead on "Sometime", composed by Glenn Miller in 1939, "Polka Dots and Moonbeams", "At Last", a number 9 chart hit on Billboard in 1942, and "To You", but Miller ran a tight ship and often fired people after one negative incident. Eberle was stuck in traffic one day during a Chicago engagement, and was late for a rehearsal. Miller fired him on the spot, and replaced him in June 1942 with Skip Nelson. After his departure from Miller, Eberle briefly joined Gene Krupa"s band before launching a solo career. He later joined former Miller bandmate Tex Beneke"s orchestra in 1970 for a national tour, and reformed his own orchestra later in the decade. Janet"s daughter Nancy Atchison became Nancy Eberle when she was adopted by Ray. Janet died in 1964. He also has numerous grand children. Ray Eberle died of a heart attack in Douglasville, Georgia on August 25, 1979, aged 60.

Ray Eberle

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Actor singer jazz musician

Background

Eberle was born in Mechanicville, Saratoga County, New New York His father, John A. Eberle, was a local policeman, sign-painter, and publican (tavern-keeper).

Career

Eberle sang with the Glenn Miller Orchestra. Ray started singing in his teens, with no formal training. In 1938, Glenn Miller, who was looking for a male vocalist for his big band, asked Eberly if he had any siblings at home who could sing.

Bob said "yes", and Ray was hired on the spot.

Eberle recalled walking by a table when his similar looking brother was performing, and being stopped by Miller and invited to audition. Music critics and Miller"s musicians were reportedly unhappy with Eberle"s vocal style but Miller stuck with him.

Ray Eberle went on to find success with Miller, deeming the songs for Orchestra Wives, such as the jazz standard "At Last", to be among his favorites as there were songs he could "sink my teeth into, and make a story out of". He made several Universal films, including Mister Big, making a cameo appearance as himself.

Eberle mostly sang ballads.

He led his own orchestra called, The Ray Eberle Orchestra as well as the Serenade In Blue Orchestra from 1943 and maintained his band until his death in 1979. From 1940-1943 he did well on Billboard (magazine)"s "College Poll" for male vocalist. He also appeared on numerous television variety shows in the 1950s and 1960s.

Ray Eberle sang lead on "Sometime", composed by Glenn Miller in 1939, "Polka Dots and Moonbeams", "At Last", a number 9 chart hit on Billboard in 1942, and "To You", but Miller ran a tight ship and often fired people after one negative incident.

Eberle was stuck in traffic one day during a Chicago engagement, and was late for a rehearsal. Miller fired him on the spot, and replaced him in June 1942 with Skip Nelson.

After his departure from Miller, Eberle briefly joined Gene Krupa"s band before launching a solo career. He later joined former Miller bandmate Tex Beneke"s orchestra in 1970 for a national tour, and reformed his own orchestra later in the decade.

Janet"s daughter Nancy Atchison became Nancy Eberle when she was adopted by Ray.

Janet died in 1964. He also has numerous grand children. Ray Eberle died of a heart attack in Douglasville, Georgia on August 25, 1979, aged 60.

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Ray Eberle

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