Juke Box Comics #1

Spike Jones, the drummer who transforms everyday junk into wild orchestra instruments, rises from a kid collecting percussion oddities in 1922 to a recording sensation in the late 1930s when he and his bandmates decide to inject pure fun into their music. From smashing jalopies for sound effects to recruiting a goat named Phoebe as his newest performer, Spike builds a reputation for turning conventional songs into madcap musical spectacles that keep audiences guessing what comes next.

When Glenn Miller goes missing in flight during World War II, saxophonist and vocalist Tex Beneke—who rose from a sideman to a star while performing with the legendary orchestra—steps up to keep the bandleader's musical legacy alive. Reuniting the talented musicians who played under Miller, Tex leads the reformed Glenn Miller Orchestra through sold-out performances, proving that the spirit of the greatest band the G.I.s knew from home can endure even in the darkest times.

Johnny Mercer arrives in New York from Savannah at seventeen with dreams of making it big, and quickly discovers his gift for songwriting when he pens a tune for a local theater contest. From Broadway stages to Hollywood films, this biography chronicles how the prolific tunesmith became a master of the hit song, crafting chart-toppers like "Ac-cent-tchu-ate the Positive" and "Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe" while building a record label that made him one of popular music's most influential figures.

The students at Middle High think they've landed Woody Herman for their spring dance—thanks to the smooth-talking agent T.S. Shrood—but when the real Woody shows up, they discover they've been swindled. Woody sets things right by inviting the committee on the road with his band, where they meet the members of the Herd and learn the story behind his rise from boy wonder clarinet player to bandleader. When Shrood tries the same con at their dance, Woody and the band show up to save the day and expose the phony—with a lesson about dealing only through legitimate agencies.

Born in a Pennsylvania coal town to Pietro Como, young Perry Como finds an unexpected calling when a chance encounter during a summer vacation leads him to sing with an orchestra—despite never taking a formal lesson in his life. After marrying Roselle and starting a family with his son Ronnie, Perry struggles to balance his growing musical career with his devotion to home, eventually finding a path that lets him pursue both. With his natural talent and determination, Perry's rise from barber to radio and nightclub success sets the stage for a remarkable journey in the world of music.

When the mysterious performer Jammy Sammy rolls into town, the whole place goes wild—everyone's desperate to catch his act at the Star Theatre, and Jivey finds himself increasingly bewildered as even his sensible friend Groovy falls under the spell. Determined to find someone unaffected by the craze, Jivey thinks he's struck gold when he meets a girl who shares his skepticism about the whole fuss, only to discover there's more to the situation than meets the eye.

Benny Goodman shares the story of his rise from a crowded Chicago childhood to becoming the King of Swing, crediting hard work and genuine musical talent—but when he and his vocalist Art Lund discover a fraudulent "Swing School" run by the unscrupulous Professor Rosin, they uncover a dangerous racket that demands more than just music to shut down. This tale, brought to life by the master of the clarinet himself, proves that there's no shortcut to greatness in music or in standing up to those who prey on aspiring musicians.

When a radio gag lets average Americans take a turn conducting Sammy Kaye's orchestra—including a special guest appearance by Betty Grable—the "lead a band" craze sweeps the nation in this 1948 non-fiction survey. From a housewife in Virginia to a factory worker in Alabama, Juke Box Comics captures the wild reasons everyday people wanted their moment with the baton, while tracing how Kaye himself rose from college athlete to broadcasting sensation.

Follow the story of Duke Ellington—composer, bandleader, and collector extraordinaire—as this biographical piece explores the man behind the music through never-before-told anecdotes and intimate glimpses of his passions. From his legendary wardrobe of over 200 suits to his remarkable library of 800 volumes on Negro history and culture, discover how the Duke's refined tastes and generous spirit have shaped him into an enduring American icon. Along the way, meet his blind vocalist Al Hibbler, whose keen sensibilities prove that true perception extends far beyond sight.

The young Buddy Rich showed early promise on the drums, performing professionally as a toddler and touring the Pacific for seventeen years before returning to Brooklyn—where bandleader Joe Marsala took notice and helped launch his career. After military service, Buddy found his big break when Frank Sinatra believed in him enough to finance his own band, propelling the young drummer toward the top of the music world. This dramatized biography traces how a child prodigy became one of the era's most celebrated musicians.

Al Jolson had announced his retirement many times, but public demand wouldn't let the legendary entertainer step away—and now past sixty, with over thirty years in the spotlight, he finds himself at the center of a major motion picture about his own life. As *The Jolson Story* becomes a massive success and his album breaks all sales records, Al is pulled back into the spotlight with radio appearances and his own weekly broadcast, reuniting him with pianist Oscar Levant. This is the story of how one of entertainment's greatest voices refused to fade away.