THE BIG BAND ERA (THE 1940S)

Sammy Cahn

Peggy Lee

Igor Stravinsky

Duke Ellington

The world was at war, and the music of big bands came into full swing. Composer-arrangers like ASCAP members Count Basie, Benny Carter, Tommy Dorsey, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Fletcher Henderson and Artie Shaw emerged as driving forces in shaping the sound of the era. On the concert stage, the works of Leonard Bernstein and Aaron Copland revealed a new American spirit. A diverse cast of creators joined ASCAP's ranks ö Cab Calloway, Betty Comden, Adolph Green, Peggy Lee, Frederick Loewe, Alex North and Igor Stravinsky.

But while the public enjoyed ASCAP's growing repertoire, radio broadcasters grew reluctant to honor ASCAP license fees. In 1940, during negotiations with ASCAP over rates, the broadcasters formed their own competing organization as a ploy to drive their future costs for music down. But the public demanded ASCAP music and the broadcasters agreed to new rates.

With the war over, there was renewed optimism at home. New stars like Frank Sinatra rose to fame, buoyed by the songs of longtime ASCAP Board member Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen. Classic ASCAP songs of the era live on in new recordings by a multitude of contemporary artists.

Into the 1950s >>>