Swing Shift: "All-Girl" Bands of the 1940s

by Sherrie Tucker

The forgotten history of the “all-girl” big bands of the World War II era takes center stage in Sherrie Tucker’s Swing Shift. American demand for swing skyrocketed with the onslaught of war as millions—isolated from loved ones—sought diversion, comfort, and social contact through music and dance. Although all-female jazz and dance bands had existed since the 1920s, now hundreds of such groups, both African American and white, barnstormed ballrooms, theaters, dance halls, military installations, and makeshift USO stages on the home front and abroad. Filled with firsthand accounts of more than a hundred women who performed during this era and complemented by thorough—and eye-opening—archival research, Swing Shift not only offers a history of this significant aspect of American society and culture but also examines how and why whole bands of dedicated and talented women musicians were dropped from—or never inducted into—our national memory. Tucker’s nuanced presentation reveals who these remarkable women were, where and when they began to play music, and how they navigated a sometimes wild and bumpy road—including their experiences with gas and rubber rationing, travel restrictions designed to prioritize transportation for military needs, and Jim Crow laws and other prejudices. She explains how the expanded opportunities brought by the war, along with sudden increased publicity, created the illusion that all female musicians—no matter how experienced or talented—were “Swing Shift Maisies,” 1940s slang for the substitutes for the “real” workers (or musicians) who were away in combat. Comparing the working conditions and public representations of women musicians with figures such as Rosie the Riveter, WACs, USO hostesses, pin-ups, and movie stars, Tucker chronicles the careers of such bands as the International Sweethearts of Rhythm, Phil Spitalny’s Hours of Charm, The Darlings of Rhythm, and the Sharon Rogers All-Girl Band.

Genres: Music, History, Nonfiction, Jazz, Feminism

424 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2000

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fascinating and entertaining read. A truly in-depth examination of something I was completely unaware of. It is written with a great deal of respect for the members of the bands and for their interpretation of their own history. At the same time, it is partly a memoir of the author's own shifting attitudes about gender and race. She really does a great job of balancing gender, race, and class while maintaining a readable style. I would absolutely recommend this book for fans of jazz, the 1940s, women's history, and black history.

[KellyWells · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked this book but I'm giving it three stars because it is easy to get bogged down in it. There is a wealth of information but not all is succinct. I do love a book about women musicians, though, and this one really gives a good idea about how women found their place in the musical professional world.

[Savanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The subject of this book was fascinating and important! I surprisingly enjoyed the differences in narration as the author was able to recount different written sources, interviews, and even trips that helped to tell the truths of the all-girl bands during WWII. At times the book did feel a bit repetitive, however, I learned a lot and enjoyed hearing these previously untold stories.

[Dominic Howarth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliantly executed, Tucker weaves together discussions of gender, race, and politics in a lengthy but well organized and readable fashion. Can’t recommend this book enough for those that understand the intersection of art and music as politics.

[Debra Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was very disappointing. The few facts were interesting, but...

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating topic - writing feels like reading a college research paper

[Jared Gillins · Rating 1 out of 5]

For my American popular music class. The shelf for this one should actually be "read enough." I was looking forward to a book chronicling the untold story of female swing bands, but instead I got a bitter meta-revisionist history written by a self-proclaimed second-wave feminist who came across as sexist and racist (to me). I wish I could have just discovered some good history instead of having to wade through her self-examining study of her study of this history. Yeah, it's as muddled as that last sentence. I generally keep the books I've read in grad school, but I can easily see this one ending up on my Amazon Marketplace seller's list.