Raymond Eberle (January 19, 1919 â€" August 25, 1979) was a vocalist
during the Big Band Era, making his name with the Glenn Miller
Orchestra. His elder brother, Bob Eberly, sang with the Jimmy Dorsey
Orchestra.Eberle was born in Mechanicville, Saratoga County, New York.
His father, John A. Eberle, was a local policeman, sign-painter, and
publican (tavern-keeper). His elder brother was Big Band singer Bob
Eberly, who sang with the Jimmy Dorsey 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 Bob 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. Critic George T. Simon said that Miller pitched Eberle's keys too
high, straining Eberle's voice. Simon noted that when singing in lower
keys, Eberle's sound was richer.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 appeared in
the Twentieth Century Fox movies, Sun Valley Serenade (1941) and
Orchestra Wives (1942).
during the Big Band Era, making his name with the Glenn Miller
Orchestra. His elder brother, Bob Eberly, sang with the Jimmy Dorsey
Orchestra.Eberle was born in Mechanicville, Saratoga County, New York.
His father, John A. Eberle, was a local policeman, sign-painter, and
publican (tavern-keeper). His elder brother was Big Band singer Bob
Eberly, who sang with the Jimmy Dorsey 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 Bob 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. Critic George T. Simon said that Miller pitched Eberle's keys too
high, straining Eberle's voice. Simon noted that when singing in lower
keys, Eberle's sound was richer.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 appeared in
the Twentieth Century Fox movies, Sun Valley Serenade (1941) and
Orchestra Wives (1942).
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