Was Glenn Miller popular in the 1950's?

Yes, but ... Remember, he was killed in a plane crash in 1944 the question could better be phrased as "was his musicpopular in the 1950s?" The answer would be that teenagers and college students were far more interested in rock 'n roll, but their older siblings and parents had probably seen Glenn Miller perform in person and had fond memories of his music. That interest led to the popularity of several orchestras that recreated or reinterpreted the so-called "Miller sound", including those of Miller alumni Tex Beneke, Jerry Gray, Ray Anthony, and Ray McKinley as well as sound-alike bands such as that led by Ralph Flanagan.