Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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FLANAGAN, Ralph

(b Ralph Elias Flenniken, 7 April 1914, Loranie OH; d 30 December 1995) Bandleader. Became pianist-arranger with Sammy Kaye '40; served in the U.S. Merchant marine 1942-46. He wrote scores for Charlie Barnet, Gene Krupa, Tony Pastor, others; worked with singers such as Mindy Carson and Perry Como. He served in the Merchant Marine 1942-46. He took an idea to Herb Hendler, an independent label executive, for a tribute to Glenn Miller album (on Rainbow Records), intended to be a one-off, but then Hendler went to RCA in 1949 and took Flanagan with him. A Miller-style band was formed and helped to spark off a dance-band mini-revival (Ray Anthony, Jerry Gray, others). Chart hits included 'Nevertheless', 'Rag Mop', 'Harbor Lights', all '50; 'Slow Poke' '52, 'Hot Toddy' '53. The band grossed $600,000 in 1952, good money then, but according to his vocalist Harry Prime, Flanagan was never comfortable in the spotlight and retired as soon as he could.