Bing Crosby

Bing Crosby

Bing Crosby (May 3, 1903 – October 14, 1977) was an American singer, comedian, and actor. He was one of the most popular and influential musical figures of the 20th century. His early career coincided with recording innovations that allowed him to develop an intimate singing style that influenced many male singers who followed him, including Perry Como, Frank Sinatra, and Dean Martin. Crosby's trademark warm bass-baritone voice made him the best-selling recording artist until well into the rock era, with over half a billion records in circulation.

Early Life

Harry Lillis Crosby was born in Tacoma, Washington, in 1903, the fourth of seven children of Catherine Helen "Kate" (Harrigan) and Harry Lowe Crosby, a bookkeeper. The family moved to Spokane, Washington, in 1906. It was in Spokane that he was given the nickname "Bing," from a comic strip character he resembled. He attended Gonzaga University for a time but did not graduate. Instead, he decided to pursue a career in music.

Career

Crosby gained early experience as a performer by joining a band called the Musicaladers, which disbanded in 1925. He then moved to Los Angeles, where he joined the Paul Whiteman orchestra and quickly became a popular live performer. His first commercial success came in the early 1930s with his band, the Rhythm Boys, and he soon became a solo artist.

Bing Crosby's influence extended beyond music into acting. He won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Going My Way (1944) and received critical acclaim for his performance in The Bells of St. Mary's (1945). Crosby's acting career spanned numerous musicals and dramas throughout the 1940s and 1950s, including the popular Road to... series with Bob Hope and Dorothy Lamour.

Personal Life

Crosby was married twice, first to actress Dixie Lee in 1930, with whom he had four sons, and after her death, to actress Kathryn Grant in 1957, with whom he had three children. His relationship with his children from his first marriage was strained, a topic that has been widely reported in the media.

Legacy

Bing Crosby's impact on music and popular culture is immense. He is credited with shaping the modern concept of the multimedia star: a performer who achieves widespread success in multiple entertainment media. His recording of White Christmas by Irving Berlin remains one of the best-selling singles of all time. Crosby's influence on the development of the postwar recording industry was significant, as he was among the first to make use of the newly developed microphone technology in his recordings and performances.

Crosby was inducted into the Halls of Fame for both radio and popular music. In recognition of his contributions to the music industry, he received the first Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1962.

Death

Bing Crosby died of a heart attack after playing a round of golf in Spain on October 14, 1977. His legacy continues to influence artists around the world and his recordings remain popular to this day.