The Song, The Soldier, The Statue: Muskegon’s Boogie Woogie Bugler
Honoring a Hometown Hero
Near the bow of the USS LST 393 Veterans Museum stands a bronze sculpture honoring one of Muskegon’s remarkable hometown heroes: Clarence Zylman, the Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of World War II. Created by Muskegon-born sculptor Ari Norris and unveiled on November 10, 2018, the statue pays tribute to Zylman’s legacy as a musician, military bugler, and symbol of wartime morale.
The Life of Clarence Zylman
Photo by Kristine Tyler
From Muskegon to the Front Lines
Zylman was born in Muskegon in 1906. He attended Muskegon High School but left during his junior year to begin working, as many did at the time. A gifted musician, he later trained on the streets of Chicago and toured the country as a jazz trumpeter. His energetic Boogie Woogie style helped define a musical movement.
Musical Military Legacy
In 1942, Zylman was drafted into the U.S. Army. He served as a bugler, a traditional role often used for raising the flag, changing the guard, and sounding reveille and taps. But Zylman added his own style. His upbeat, jazzy version of reveille lifted spirits and got troops moving with a jitterbug in their step. Soon, Stars & Stripes, The London Times, and more than 30 U.S. newspapers began calling him the Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.
From Song to Symbol
His musical style helped inspire the hit song “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” written by Don Raye and Hughie Prince. The Andrews Sisters recorded it at Decca’s Hollywood studios on January 2, 1941. This was nearly a year before the United States entered World War II. The song was nominated for an Academy Award and became a patriotic anthem. Laverne, Maxene, and Patty Andrews performed it at military bases, hospitals, rallies, and radio shows, bringing comfort to both soldiers and civilians.
Lasting Legacy Through Music and Art
The Irving Sisters pose with the statue following a performance onboard the USS LST 393
A Song Reimagined
In 1973, Bette Midler revived the song on her debut album The Divine Miss M, produced by Barry Manilow. Her version climbed the Billboard charts and reached number eight, introducing the song to a new generation of fans. Since then, artists like the Pointer Sisters, En Vogue, and Christina Aguilera have also covered it.
Instruments of War Exhibit
Zylman passed away in 1988. His legacy continues through the statue, the song, and exhibits like Instruments of War at the USS Silversides Museum. This exhibit explores how music influenced military life and highlights both Zylman and Fritz Stansell. Stansell was also a World War II bugler and later founded Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in West Michigan.
A Sculptor with Local Roots
The Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy statue was created by Ari Norris, a sculptor originally from Muskegon. Norris earned his BFA from Northern Illinois University and focuses on public art that reflects community pride. In 2023, he completed Band Together, a double life-size sculpture honoring the high-stepping marching band tradition of Muskegon Heights High School.
An Ordinary Man with a National Legacy
Clarence Zylman lived an extraordinary life. A local man with a national legacy, he helped lead a musical revolution and lift the spirits of those who served. Thanks to an unforgettable tune, his story will always have a place in American history.
Explore More in Muskegon
Learn more about Muskegon’s Boogie Woogie Bugler. Visit the USS LST 393 Veterans Museum in downtown Muskegon to see the statue and discover the story behind the song.