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Bing Crosby

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic (by 4 people)   Your rating: 1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic

Ranked #5517 in Music, #132235 overall

Rated G. (Control what you see)

 

Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby
Born on May 3, 1903, was an
American popular singer and
actor whose career lasted
until his death on
October 14, 1977.



  The image

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
Website: http://www.bingcrosby.com




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.

The image

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.

The image



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.

 The image
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.

5cbd2184.jpg Bing Crosby image by midknightsparrow
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

A vocal genius

The Bing Crosby Story, Vol. 1: The Early Jazz Years, 1928-1932

Amazon Price: (as of 10/12/2008)
List Price: $24.97
Used Price: $23.48

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

Avg. Customer Rating: Amazon Rating

 

REVIEW: Going Hollywood, Vol. 1: 1930-1936

Bing - A big voice for the big screen

Going Hollywood, Vol. 1: 1930-1936

Amazon Price: $27.49 (as of 10/12/2008)
List Price: $27.49
Used Price: $20.57

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

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REVIEW: Bing Crosby - 1926-1932

*EXCELLENT*

1926-1932

Amazon Price: $18.49 (as of 10/12/2008)
List Price: $18.49
Used Price: $15.25

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

Avg. Customer Rating: Amazon Rating

 

QUOTE

We'd dub the one
that 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

 

QUOTE

didn't say it,
he did it --
one time only.
Unless he blew
the lyrics,
he did one take."


~Bing Crosby

BOOKS 

Bing Crosby: Day by Day

Amazon Price: (as of 10/12/2008)
List Price: $94.00
Used Price: $109.92

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Bing Crosby: A Pocketful of Dreams-the Early Years, 1903-1940

Amazon Price: $14.36 (as of 10/12/2008)
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Used Price: $0.01

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Call Me Lucky

Amazon Price: $16.00 (as of 10/12/2008)
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Used Price: $3.91

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RECOMMENDED READING

The Rise of the Crooners examines the historical trends and events that led to the emergence of the crooning style. The lives and careers of six pioneers of the style: Bing Crosby, Russ Columbo, Gene Austin, Rudy Vallee, Johnny Marvin, and Nick Lucas-are covered at length.

 

QUOTE



It
didn't
get
here
yet.


~Bing Crosby

VIDEOS 

Bing Crosby - Where the Blue of the Night (1933)

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QUOTE

Where the blue of the night
Meets the gold of the day,
Someone waits for me.


~Bing Crosby

 

FROM "THE KING OF JAZZ"

King of Jazz: Rhythm Boys

Scene from the "King of Jazz" featuring a song performed by: Bing Crosby, Al Rinker and Harry Barris. "So the Bluebirds and the Blackbirds got together"

Runtime: 2:36
26199 views
10 Comments:

powered by YouTube

 

MORE


Brox Sisters in "King Of Jazz" (1930)


Bing Crosby - I'm Through With Love, 1931


Very Wild party from 1931


Early Bing Crosby


Early Bing Crosby, One More Chance.


Bing Crosby - Just One More Chance / I Surrender Dear


DTS Hollywood Musical Moment - "Beautiful Girl"


Bing Crosby - Auf Wiedersehen, My Dear (1933)

 


King of Jazz: Happy Feet: Part 1 of 3

Runtime: 2:06
18512 views
10 Comments:


King of Jazz: Happy Feet: Scene 2 of 3

Runtime: 2:15
45789 views
10 Comments:


King of Jazz: Happy Feet: Part 3 of 3

Runtime: 1:35
9782 views
10 Comments:

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SandyPeaks

This is a wonderful lens - I wish it were mine! Bing's my idol and this is one helluva tribute to him! I've been absorbing Crosbiana for nearly 35 years and this is the most enjoyable site I've ever seen! Well done!

Posted September 03, 2008

KimGiancaterino

Very nice lens. I've featured this on my 'White Christmas' lyrics lens. You're also getting a Squid Angel Blessing today!

Posted July 25, 2008

EntrepreneurDevelopmentCenter

cool len's Bing Crosby is one of the best!

Posted February 09, 2008

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 think
I'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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