Born on May 3, 1903, was an
American popular singer and
actor whose career lasted
until his death on
October 14, 1977.
Background information
Birth name: Harry Lillis Crosby
Born: May 3, 1903(1903-05-03) Tacoma, WA, USA
Died: October 14, 1977 (aged 74) Madrid, Spain
Genre(s): Jazz, Pop standards, Dixieland
Occupation(s): Singer, Actor
Instrument(s): Vocalist
Years active: 1926-1977
Label(s): Brunswick, Decca, Reprise, RCA, Victor, Verve, United Artists
Associated acts: Dixie Lee
BIOGRAPHY
The incomparable Bing Crosby had perhaps the most successful career of any artist in the twentieth century. As both singer and actor he entertained the public for more than forty years and spent much of that time on top of the charts, both music and box office. His smooth, rich voice is instantly recognizable by all and capable of subtle emotions that few other singers could match. He was America's favorite crooner, recording everything from ballads to swing to blues, and his lovable personality shone through both over the airwaves and on the silver screen.Born in Tacoma, Washington, on May 3, 1903,* Bing's family moved to Spokane in 1906. He received his nickname during childhood when friends began calling him after the lead character in the comic strip ''The Bingville Bugle.''
In 1920 Bing entered Gonzaga College to study law. His career choice changed, however, after he bought a mail-order set of drums and joined a local group called The Musicaladers, managed by Al Rinker. When the group broke up in 1925 Bing and Al headed to Los Angeles, where they joined the vaudeville circuit. Their big break came one night in 1926 when orchestra leader Paul Whiteman heard them sing and hired them.

Shortly after their debut with Whiteman problems arose during a performance at the Paramount Theatre in New York in January 1927. The theatre didn't have electronic amplification, and the audience had difficulty hearing Crosby and Rinker's vocals. To solve the problem they were teamed with a third vocalist, Harry Barris, and they returned to the orchestra in March as the Rhythm Boys. The result was a big hit, and they soon became Whiteman's star attraction.
Bing's love for having a good time eventually began to get in the way of his performances, however. When he was arrested for drunken driving during the filming of the movie The King of Jazz, featuring Whiteman and his orchestra, it was the last straw for the bandleader, who released the trio after the completion of the film. The group soon found a job with Gus Arnheim's band at the Cocoanut Grove in Los Angeles. Arnheim began pushing Bing to the forefront as a soloist, and in January 1931 Bing recorded his first solo hit, ''I Surrender Dear.''

Increasingly, crowds came to hear Bing, and the Rhythm Boys as a group receded to the background. As Bing's popularity soared he began to skip performances at the club. When the manager docked his pay Bing walked out in protest, taking the Rhythm Boys with him. The manager persuaded the local musicians' union to ban the trio for breach of contract, and the Rhythm Boys were forced to dissolve. By that time, however, Bing had established himself well enough as a performer that he didn't need a group or an orchestra to support him. He was quite capable of maintaining himself as a solo artist.

At about this time Bing also began his career in film. He had attracted the attention of movie producer Max Sennett while he was performing at the Cocoanut Grove. Sennett hired him to star in six comedy shorts, which led to his signing a contract with Paramount. His first of fifty-five feature films was The Big Broadcast in 1932. Between 1944 and 1948 Bing was the number one box office draw in the country. In 1948 he won an Oscar for his performance as a priest in Going My Way. Some of his most popular films include the Road movies with Bob Hope and Dorothy Lamour.
Bing recorded more than 1,700 songs during his career, most of them on the Decca label, for whom he was under contract from 1934 to 1955. He is considered the most successful musical artist of all time. His recording and film activities fell off during the late 1960s and early 1970s, however, as he was plagued by health problems. A non-cancerous tumor was removed from Bing's lung in 1973. After his recovery he resumed an active career, recording ten albums in the last three years of his life. The end came suddenly. Bing suffered a heart attack and died while playing golf in Spain on October 14, 1977.
*Throughout his life, Bing claimed May 2, 1904 as his birthdate. It was only after his death that baptismal records confirmed his true birthday.
SOURCE: ~Wikipedia

MUSIC
REVIEW: The Bing Crosby Story, Vol. 1: The Early Jazz Years, 1928-1932
Story Vol 1-Early Jazz Years
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All I can say is, "Wow!" This is one of the greatest compilations ever showcasing Bing's underrated jazz bocal style. Bing's voice was abreathtaking instrument in these years, as these songs amply prove. I think his absolute height in range and expression was in the years 1931-1936, a period generously covered in this collection. If you're only familiar with the Crosy voice from the 40's and 50's, then you're in for a special treat. These recordings showcase Bing's more husky, jazz-influenced delivery, replete with scat singing, improvisations, banter with sidemen and absolutely dizzying vocal virtuosity.
~Candace Scott
REVIEW: Going Hollywood, Vol. 1: 1930-1936
Going Hollywood, Vol. 1: 1930-1936 [ORIGINAL RECORDINGS REMASTERED] 2CD SET
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If you're a Bing fan, you'll want to own this one. Bing was never in finer voice than in the early-to-mid 1930s, and he's at his best here. What other singer had his great range and and power? Some come close, but they can't eclipse Mr. Crosby. All of his songs resonate with glowing warmth and charm. The best part of this fine collection are the hard-to-find titles. My personal favorite was "Our Big Love Scene," which is truly under-heard and definitely one of his best. There are a lot of fun novelty songs too including "Boo Boo Boo" and "Bucking the Wind." This two-CD set is chalk full of wonderful stuff. It's well worth the money. Happy listening!
~By Benjamin R. Garrison
REVIEW: Bing Crosby - 1926-1932
Bing Crosby 1926-1932
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This is the absolute best single-disc collection to deal with Bing's great jazz recordings prior to his tenure at Decca records. The music has been lovingly transfered by the legendary John R.T. Davies, perhaps most famous for his excellent restoration of the Louis Armstrong Hot Fives and Sevens for the JSP label.
~ A Customer, Amazon
QUOTE
We'd dub the onethat came off best into
the final transcription.
It gave us a chance to
ad lib as much as we
wanted, knowing that
excess ad libbing
could be sliced from
the final product.
~Bing Crosby

MORE MUSIC
QUOTE
didn't say it,he did it --
one time only.
Unless he blew
the lyrics,
he did one take."
~Bing Crosby

FURTHER READING
Bing Crosby: Day by Day
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Bing Crosby: A Pocketful of Dreams-the Early Years, 1903-1940
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Call Me Lucky
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SPOTLIGHT: The Rise of the Crooners
The Rise of the Crooners: Gene Austin, Russ Columbo, Bing Crosby, Nick Lucas, Johnny Marvin and Rudy Vallee (Studies And Documentation In The History Of Popular Entertainment)
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MOVIES
QUOTE

It
didn't
get
here
yet.
~Bing Crosby

QUOTE
Where the blue of the nightMeets the gold of the day,
Someone waits for me.
~Bing Crosby
VIDEOS
FROM "THE KING OF JAZZ"
MORE

READER POLL
eBay

GUESTBOOK
Ba ba ba BE sure to Say something bah ba ba boo!
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SayGuddaycom
Apr 26, 2012 @ 10:33 pm | delete
- Great lens. I'm afraid the younger generation will forget this mighty talent. (You know you're old when you use phrases like "the younger generation."
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Tracey
Mar 29, 2012 @ 6:34 pm | delete
- Mosaic has a sensational seven disc set: The Bing Crosby Radio Recordings 1954-56. Because of how they were recorded, they sound as crisp and clean as if you were hearing them live.
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SandyPeaks Dec 4, 2010 @ 5:54 pm | delete
- Stopped by again to give a SquidAngel Blessing!
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prosperity66 Oct 12, 2010 @ 2:16 am | delete
- Ah, Bing Crosby was my grandmother's favourite!
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Jarbie
Mar 5, 2010 @ 11:29 am | delete
- How many visitors to this site, fans of Bing have received their Collectors Choice music
catalogues yet? Have you seen the two page spread of Crosby offerings? I'd like to know which of CC's expanded Crosby CD offerings interest others here the most? I might be able to give some background about some of the tracks, if anyone has any questions, but I'm also very intrigued about some of the newest listings.
The recently announced issues, plus the issue November 2009 of the Mosaic set, the continuing series of the "Through The Years" sequence by Sepia Records (Volume 5 due possibly May 2010 shortly to be confirmed), all indicate a welcome new dynamic in all things Bing.
Reactions, anyone?
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LINKS
- Jimmie Jazz Archive - Bing Crosby
- Jimmie Jazz Archive - Jim Baldwin Radio Show. Listen to this radio program on Bing Crosby now ; )
- Bing Crosby - Wikipedia
- Bing Crosby From Wikipedia
Birth name: Harry Lillis Crosby - Bing Crosby
- IMBD Bing Bio.
- Bing Crosby: A Who2 Profile
- Though he is sometimes now forgotten, Bing Crosby was one of the biggest music and movie stars of the mid-20th century.
- Bing Crosby - AOL Music
- Bing Crosby official AOL Music site for Bing Crosby music videos, Bing Crosby songs, Bing Crosby photos, Bing Crosby live performances and more information on Bing Crosby.
- Bing Crosby at Reel Classics
- Reel Classics Bing.
- The Death of Bing Crosby
- The Death of Bing Crosby
- Solid! -- Bing Crosby
- One of the all-time great performers.
QUOTE
Honestly, I thinkI've stretched a
talent-which is
so thick that it's
almost opaque-over
a quite unbelievable
term of years.
~Bing Crosby

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