Role

:

Conductor Performer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

May 3, 1903 in Tacoma, WA

Death

:

October 14, 1977 in La Moraleja, Madrid, Spain

Genre

:

Vocal

 

Bing Crosby was an American singer, actor, and songwriter who was one of the most popular and influential performers of the 20th century. He was born on May 3, 1903, in Tacoma, Washington, as Harry Lillis Crosby Jr. His parents were Harry Lillis Crosby Sr. and Catherine Helen Crosby. Bing was the fourth of seven children in the family. Bing's father was a bookkeeper and his mother was a homemaker. The family moved to Spokane, Washington, when Bing was three years old. He attended Gonzaga High School and Gonzaga University, where he studied law. However, he dropped out of college after three years to pursue a career in music. Bing's career in music began in the 1920s when he joined a local band called the Musicaladers. He later joined the Paul Whiteman Orchestra, one of the most popular bands of the time. Bing's smooth and mellow voice quickly made him a favorite among audiences, and he soon became a solo artist. In 1931, Bing signed a contract with Brunswick Records and recorded his first hit song, "I Surrender Dear." He went on to record many more hit songs, including "Just One More Chance," "Please," and "Love in Bloom." Bing's popularity continued to grow, and he became one of the most successful recording artists of the 1930s. Bing's success in music led to a career in film. He made his film debut in 1930 in the movie "King of Jazz." He went on to star in many more films, including "Going My Way," "The Bells of St. Mary's," and "White Christmas." Bing's acting skills were praised by critics, and he won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in "Going My Way" in 1944. Bing's success in both music and film made him a household name. He was known for his smooth voice, his easygoing charm, and his ability to connect with audiences. He was also known for his trademark "crooning" style of singing, which was characterized by a relaxed, intimate delivery. Bing's career was not without controversy, however. In the 1930s, he was criticized for performing in blackface in some of his films and on his radio show. He later apologized for these performances and acknowledged that they were offensive. Despite the controversy, Bing's popularity continued to grow. He was a regular on radio and television, and he continued to record hit songs throughout the 1940s and 1950s. He also became involved in charity work, and he was a strong supporter of the United Service Organizations (USO) during World War II. Bing's career slowed down in the 1960s, but he continued to perform and record music. He made his last film appearance in "The Road to Hong Kong" in 1962. He also continued to perform on television, and he hosted his own variety show, "The Bing Crosby Show," from 1964 to 1965. Bing's health began to decline in the late 1970s, and he suffered a heart attack in 1977. He died on October 14, 1977, at the age of 74, while playing golf in Madrid, Spain. Bing's legacy as a performer and musician is undeniable. He recorded over 1,600 songs, sold over 500 million records, and won numerous awards, including four Academy Awards, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and a Presidential Medal of Freedom. He was also inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Grammy Hall of Fame, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Bing's influence on popular music and culture is still felt today. His smooth, relaxed style of singing paved the way for many other crooners, including Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.

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