The Flying Eagles Dance Band
All information for this page from Escort to Berlin by Fry/Ethell and a brief history of the band compiled by Flying Eagle Jim Scharren in 2000.
The Flying Eagles Dance Band was formed at Debden early in 1943, and the original lineup consisted of nine enlisted men. This group was augmented by a sound man, an equipment manager and an officer who acted as the band's booking agent and road manager. There were personnel changes throughout the war, and at its apex the band was comprised of 17 members.
The band was always a popular attraction at Debden social functions, particularly the Wednesday evening EM Club and monthly Officer's Club functions. Their reputation grew, and soon officer's from other Group's were flying in for the shows. By war's end the band was booked to a three week tour of England, and had cut a
recording of the song Lilly from Piccadilly (written by Mickey Balsam and sung by Harold Goldblatt). Their performances were broadcast throughout the ETO.
Beginning each performance with their signature song, Sophisticated Swing, the Flying Eagles were the toast of the 8th Air Force, playing venues such as The Stagedoor Canteen of the London American Service Club, Rainbow Corner, Bournemouth, the Columbia Club, Covent Garden Royal Opera House and Headquarters for SHAEF. They even went into the wolf's den and played for the Wolfpack, Hub Zemke's 56th Fighter Group.
While being a member of the Flying Eagles had its advantages - such as no K.P., "lots of travel" and getting paid as a musician - they still had to fulfill their regular military duties. Jim Scharren remembered "many nights the band would play at a distant air base, return home in the a.m., and be out on the line early in the morning."
Having the Flying Eagles Band as your house band was just another one of the perks available to the men of the 4th, and made Station 356 the envy of the other groups throughout the 8th Air Force.
The Flying Eagles Dance Band was formed at Debden early in 1943, and the original lineup consisted of nine enlisted men. This group was augmented by a sound man, an equipment manager and an officer who acted as the band's booking agent and road manager. There were personnel changes throughout the war, and at its apex the band was comprised of 17 members.
The band was always a popular attraction at Debden social functions, particularly the Wednesday evening EM Club and monthly Officer's Club functions. Their reputation grew, and soon officer's from other Group's were flying in for the shows. By war's end the band was booked to a three week tour of England, and had cut a
recording of the song Lilly from Piccadilly (written by Mickey Balsam and sung by Harold Goldblatt). Their performances were broadcast throughout the ETO.
Beginning each performance with their signature song, Sophisticated Swing, the Flying Eagles were the toast of the 8th Air Force, playing venues such as The Stagedoor Canteen of the London American Service Club, Rainbow Corner, Bournemouth, the Columbia Club, Covent Garden Royal Opera House and Headquarters for SHAEF. They even went into the wolf's den and played for the Wolfpack, Hub Zemke's 56th Fighter Group.
While being a member of the Flying Eagles had its advantages - such as no K.P., "lots of travel" and getting paid as a musician - they still had to fulfill their regular military duties. Jim Scharren remembered "many nights the band would play at a distant air base, return home in the a.m., and be out on the line early in the morning."
Having the Flying Eagles Band as your house band was just another one of the perks available to the men of the 4th, and made Station 356 the envy of the other groups throughout the 8th Air Force.
Members of the Band ( listed in alphabetical order; asterisk indicates an original member)
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William Avery
Eugene Baim Mickey Balsam Charles Brashares* William Brong* Howard Crossett Andy DiCarlo Anthony Fontana Harold Goldblatt* Clyde Hayes* James Jordan* Charles Kirkpatrick* Clayton Lattimore Eugene Levy Joseph Lopez John Loy* Pete Mioduszewki* Frank Nowak* Jim Scharren* Hubert Shroeder* Dave Tucker Clarence Wilcox* Chase Wilkins* |
N/A
N/A guitar/composer trombone 3rd alto saxophone vocalist tenor saxophone tenor saxophone trumpet sound technician/MC vocalist drummer trumpet manager/booking agent N/A guitar equipment manager string bass lead alto saxophone piano drummer trumpet 2nd tenor saxophone |
4 HQ
438 52 FCS 335 334 334 N/A 45/864 45/864 336 45/864 334 24/438 4 HQ 336 24/438 N/A 335 336 334 864 335 45/864 |
Cpl
Sgt N/A S/Sgt S/Sgt Cpl N/A S/Sgt S/Sgt T/Sgt Sgt S/Sgt Sgt Major Sgt Cpl N/A Sgt T/Sgt Sgt Cpl Sgt S/Sgt |
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Pictured in this iteration of the Flying Eagles:
James Jordan - vocalist
Bernard Shcroeder - piano
Dave Tucker - drums
Frank Nowak - bass
John Loy - guitar
Robert Brashares - trombone
Harold Goldblatt - trumpet
Clarence Wilcox - trumpet
Clayton Lattimor - trumpet
Chase Wilkins - tenor saxophone
William Brong - alto saxophone
James Scharren - alto saxophone
Andy DiCarlo - tenor saxophone
James Jordan - vocalist
Bernard Shcroeder - piano
Dave Tucker - drums
Frank Nowak - bass
John Loy - guitar
Robert Brashares - trombone
Harold Goldblatt - trumpet
Clarence Wilcox - trumpet
Clayton Lattimor - trumpet
Chase Wilkins - tenor saxophone
William Brong - alto saxophone
James Scharren - alto saxophone
Andy DiCarlo - tenor saxophone