(One of the most popular entertainers of all-time, Bing Cr...)
One of the most popular entertainers of all-time, Bing Crosby was a superstar of movies, music, radio and television during a spectacular career that lasted over 50 years. Bing Crosby: The Silver Screen Collection includes 24 of his best films showcasing the diverse range of roles throughout his career. From his Academy Award-winning performance in Going My Way to his series of Road films with Bob Hope, Bing remains one of the biggest movie stars ever having sold over $1 Billion in ticket sales. Featuring Bing in top-form singing some of his most memorable songs such as "June in January," "Swinging on a Star," "Sweet Leilani," "I've Got a Pocketful of Dreams" and "White Christmas" from Holiday Inn, this timeless collection will entertain longtime fans and introduce a whole new generation to the legendary style of the most popular singing star of the 20th century!
(One of the most popular entertainers of all-time, Bing Cr...)
One of the most popular entertainers of all-time, Bing Crosby was a superstar of movies, music, radio and television during a spectacular career that lasted over 50 years. He remains beloved around the world for his easygoing charm, mesmerizing voice and on-screen charisma. The Bing Crosby Collection showcases 6 rare films including College Humor, Were Not Dressing, Here is My Heart, Mississippi, Sing You Sinners and Welcome Stranger.
Bing Crosby, byname of Harry Lillis Crosby was an American singer, actor, and songwriter who achieved great popularity in radio, recordings, and motion pictures. He became the archetypal crooner of a period when the advent of radio broadcasting and talking pictures and the refinement of sound-recording techniques made the climate ideal for the rise of such a figure. His casual stage manner and mellow, relaxed singing style influenced two generati
Background
Harry Lillis Crosby was born in Tacoma, Washington, but moved to Spokane, Washington at the age of three. His parents were Harry Lincoln Crosby and Catherine Helen. He was the fourth of his seven siblings. In 1910, a neighbor began calling him ‘Bingo from Bingville’, which was taken from his favorite comic strip, ‘The Bingville Bugle’. The nickname, after dropping the last vowel, became his name for the rest of his life. In the summer of 1917, he worked as a property boy at the ‘Spokane’s Auditorium’, where he watched several acts, which fascinated him.
Education
He studied in a Catholic school and later, went to Gonzaga High School. He studied law at the Gonzaga University, but later dropped college to accomplish his musical dream, and joined a band, ‘Musicaladers’.
Career
In 1925, he joined vocalist, Al Rinker and they became extremely popular with their vaudeville act, ‘Two Boys and a Piano’, where the performance consisted of individual or combined acts by singers, actors etc. Later, Al Rinker’s brother introduced them to a famous bandleader, Paul Whiteman.
The Crosby-Rinker duo became a trio after Whiteman introduced Harry Barris, a songwriter and pianist, into the group, which they called ‘The Rhythm Boys’. The ‘Rhythm Boys’ performed with Paul Whiteman and soon enough Crosby tasted success.
In 1931, the ‘Rhythm Boys’ appeared in his first sound motion picture, ‘King of Jazz’.
In 1932, he launched his first radio program on the CBS radio station in New York City, which broadcasted his massive hit songs like ‘I found a Million Dollar Baby’ and ‘At Your Command’. His show was aired for nearly 30 years.
He also starred in ‘The Big Broadcast’, an American ‘musical comedy’ film, which he signed with Paramount pictures.
In 1936, he replaced Paul Whiteman and hosted NBC’s (Nation Broadcasting Corporation) ‘Kraft Music Hall’; where he received great appreciation for his radio theme song, ‘Where the Blue of the Night’, which he both sang and composed.
During WWII, he performed at the ‘European Theatre’ and entertained the American troops. Towards the end of the war, he was voted by the U. S. troops as ‘the person who had done the most for American G. I. morale during WWII’.
In 1941, he sang ‘White Christmas’ that soon became a popular hit and was broadcasted on the radio on Christmas.
He appeared in major blockbuster films like ‘Holiday Inn’ (1942), ‘Going My Way’ (1944) and ‘The Country Girl’ (1954). His role in ‘The Country Girl’ was loved by critics for a dramatic portrayal of an alcoholic.
From 1940–1962, he teamed up with Bob Hope in seven musical comedies called ‘Road To’.
In the 1950s, he appeared on popular television shows and launched his own show called ‘The Bing Crosby Show’ in 1964.
In 1977, he recorded the duet ‘The Little Drummer Boy’ and ‘Peace on Earth’, a Christmas special, with singer, David Bowie.
His song ‘White Christmas’, which was first used in the musical film, ‘Holiday Inn’, became an instant hit with the masses. After being included in the music charts on October 3, 1942, it rose to the no. 1 position on October 31, 1942. It charted the billboard countdown for 11 weeks and sold nearly 100 million copies, along with earning the title of ‘best-selling single of all time’.
He died of a heart attack while playing golf in Madrid.
Achievements
Crosby's trademark warm bass-baritone voice made him the best-selling recording artist of the 20th century, having sold over one billion records, tapes, compact discs and digital downloads around the world.
This famous personality was an avid golfer, and in 1978, he and Bob Hope were voted the Bob Jones Award, the highest honour given by the United States Golf Association in recognition of distinguished sportsmanship.
Just before his death, this famous American entertainer considered buying an eighteen hole golf course in Kent, England.
This Hollywood star’s estate was valued at $150 million, making him one of the wealthiest American entertainers of the 20th century.
In 1944, he won the ‘Academy Award for Best Actor’ for his role as Father Charles O’Malley in the motion picture, ‘Going My Way’.
In 1962, he received the ‘Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award’.
He was inducted into the ‘Grammy Hall of Fame’, ‘Hit Parade Hall of Fame’ and ‘Western Music Hall of Fame’, posthumously.
Crosby was a registered Republican, and actively campaigned for Wendell Willkie in 1940 against President Roosevelt, arguing that no man should serve more than two terms in the White House. After Willkie lost, Crosby decreed that he would never again make any open political contributions.
Views
Quotations:
"Unless we make Christmas an occasion to share our blessings, all the snow in Alaska won't make it 'white'. "
"Frank (Frank Sinatra) is a singer who comes along once in a lifetime, but why did he have to come in mine?"
"You'll never be a wonderful woman or even a wonderful human being until you learn to have some regard for human frailty. "
"There is nothing in the world I wouldn't do for (Bob) Hope, and there is nothing he wouldn't do for me . .. We spend our lives doing nothing for each other. "
"I think popular music in this country is one of the few things in the twentieth century that have made giant strides in reverse. "
"[Louis Armstrong] was the only musician who ever lived, who can't be replaced by someone. "
Membership
He is a member of the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in the radio division.
Personality
Crosby reportedly had an alcohol problem in his youth, and may have been dismissed from Paul Whiteman's orchestra because of it, but he later got a handle on his drinking.
Quotes from others about the person
Vocal critic Henry Pleasants wrote:
"[While] the octave B flat to B flat in Bing's voice at that time [1930s] is, to my ears, one of the loveliest I have heard in forty-five years of listening to baritones, both classical and popular, it dropped conspicuously in later years. From the mid-1950s, Bing was more comfortable in a bass range while maintaining a baritone quality, with the best octave being G to G, or even F to F. In a recording he made of 'Dardanella' with Louis Armstrong in 1960, he attacks lightly and easily on a low E flat. This is lower than most opera basses care to venture, and they tend to sound as if they were in the cellar when they get there. "
Interests
Sport & Clubs
Crosby had an interest in sports. In the 1930s, his friend and former college classmate, Gonzaga head coach Mike Pecarovich appointed Crosby as an assistant football coach.
Music & Bands
Louis Armstrong.
Connections
In 1930, he married to the actress and singer Dixie Lee and the couple had four sons. She passed away due to ovarian cancer in 1952. In 1957, he married actress Kathryn Grant and the couple had three children.
