418 CROSBY Crosby, Bing 1903 -1977 U.S. Radio Personality and Entertainer Often referred to as "America's Crooner," Bing Crosby was area. In September 193o he married Fox starlet Dixie Lee, who the defining male singer of his time and one of the most pop- was a much bigger star at the time. ular and successful stars of the zoth century. He dominated Crosby emerged as a star himself in 1931 with the release of the recording, film, and radio industries for 3o years. the short film I Surrender Dear in the summer (made in part to Crosby's soft, conversational singing style, which critic Will promote his new hit single) and the debut of his nightly 15- Friedwald has described as a "warm B -flat baritone with a lit- minute radio program for the Columbia Broadcasting System tle hair on it" (199o), appealed to a broad audience of Amer- (CBS) in the fall. CBS built him up as a crooner to rival the icans and helped establish American popular song as both a National Broadcasting Company's (NBC) original crooner, legitimate art form and an extremely profitable mass media Rudy Vallee, and by December, Crosby, Russ Columbo (also at industry. Crosby's relaxed, modest star persona, folksy NBC), and Vallee were the most popular singers in the nation. charm, and quick wit also contributed greatly to his success. Crosby's public image, however, was more controversial. The informality of his radio variety show and his easy banter He had missed the debut of his New York radio show because with guests made listeners feel especially comfortable with of his drinking, and he was widely regarded in the industry as him and ensured Crosby a prominent place in the hearts of unstable. In response to criticism, Crosby worked hard to millions. change his playboy image; fan magazines helped by promoting Harry Lillis Crosby was born in Tacoma, Washington. His Crosby as a devoted husband and father (son Gary was born in birth date is a matter of dispute, but the most recent research 1933) whose wild days were behind him. This image better puts it at 3 May 1903. His father worked as a bookkeeper, suited the more socially conservative Depression years and while his Irish -Catholic mother raised the brood of seven helped ensure Crosby a broad audience. In addition, Crosby Crosby children. Strong -willed, practical, and religiously enlarged his repertoire of songs beyond romantic crooning bal- devout, his mother was the strongest influence on Crosby's life, lads. His music producer at Decca Records, Jack Kapp, and he was her favorite child. Both parents were amateur believed that Crosby could become a type of "musical every- musicians and encouraged a sense of popular music apprecia- man" by singing a variety of songs, including cowboy songs, tion in their children. A bright but unmotivated student, young Hawaiian songs, hymns, and holiday songs. His film career for Bing was best known for his charm and his habit of whistling Paramount Studios, which signed him in 193 z, followed a sim- or humming while he walked. He earned his nickname because ilar formula, presenting Crosby in a variety of roles that under- of his attachment to a humor feature called the "Bingville lined his cool, relaxed persona and his comic as well as his Bugle" in Spokane's Sunday paper. singing talents. In 19zo Crosby entered Gonzaga College and joined an In 1936 his radio career hit a new high when he took over amateur band as a drummer and singer (using a megaphone). as host of the popular NBC variety show The Kraft Music Hall His life changed course in 1923 when he met Al Rinker, and remained there for ten years. This hour -long program another amateur bandleader and the brother of blues singer starred Crosby as the host and primary vocalist and featured a Mildred Bailey. Al persuaded Bing to join his band; after the number of comic players and star musicians. Crosby's comic band dissolved in 19z5, the two men left Spokane for Los sidekick, Bob Burns, known as the "Arkansas Traveler," Angeles to try to make it in the big time. Mildred provided amused audiences with his rube humor and remained with the them with connections, and their act, "Two Boys and a program until 1941. His bandleader, John Scott Trotter, Piano," proved so successful that they were hired by bandle- replaced Jimmy Dorsey in 1937 and remained with Crosby ader Paul Whiteman in late 19z6. Whiteman paired the boys until the end of his radio career. As John Dunning (1998) has with Harry Barris, an up- and -coming musician and songwriter, noted, Burns' humor helped balance the more serious musi- and the trio became famous as the Rhythm Boys, recording cians who appeared on the program, including a number of and singing Barris songs such as "Mississippi Mud." They accomplished classical and jazz artists such as Jose Iturbi, sang in a modern, jazz- influenced, intimate style that was new Duke Ellington, and Jack Teagarden. Broadway star Mary to most audiences. In 193o the trio left Whiteman and signed Martin spent a year on the show in 1942, as did Victor Borge, to play with Gus Arnheim's Orchestra at the Coconut Grove in a Danish concert pianist who served as an additional comic Los Angeles. Crosby frequently sang solos with the band, but foil. The show also created new stars, such as Spike Jones and he eventually left the trio and became well known as a solo Jerry Colonna, both of whom were originally members of performer to radio and nightclub audiences in the Los Angeles Trotter's band. .