how bing crosby changed the course of popular music new york times

Since his music was not theirs, newer generations had no way to know that Crosby had not only changed the course of American popular singing, he had helped create it. It was he who, more than any other vocalist, had freed that art from its turn-of-the-century stiffness and transformed it into conversation.

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What was Bing Crosby's singing style?

Nov 28, 2018 · BING CROSBY Swinging on a Star: The War Years, 1940-1946 By Gary Giddins Illustrated. 724 pp. Little, Brown & Company. $40.. Television viewers who grew up in the 1970s knew Bing Crosby as the ...

What did Bing Crosby learn from Jim Kapp?

Jan 28, 2001 · Bing, for Starters. One obstacle to a serious reconsideration of Bing Crosby's music has been availability: many of the best performances were never reissued on LP, let alone on CD. Here are 10 ...

What happened to Bing Crosby on Christmas Day 1941?

BING CROSBY Swinging on a Star: The War Years, 1940-1946 By Gary Giddi ns Ill ustrated. 724 pp. Little, Brown & Company. $40.. By James Gavin, NY Times. Television viewers who grew up in the 1970s knew Bing Crosby as the grandfatherly singing star of wholesome family specials, tuned into by their parents. Crosby was pipe-smoking, unruffled and witty, much like Father O’Malley, …

Did Bing Crosby ever become a lawyer?

^ "Bing Crosby, 73, Dies in Madrid At Golf Course". The New York Times. Associated Press. October 15, 1977. Retrieved October 25, 2020. ^ "Chapter 10: The Final Years, 1975–1977". BING Magazine. International Club Crosby. Retrieved October 25, 2020. ^ a b Barnes, Ken (1980). The Crosby Years. New York: Saint Martins Press. pp. 57–60. ISBN ...

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How did Bing Crosby change music?

Drawing on black influences, he made pop songs swing, while treating a new invention, the microphone, as if it were a friend's ear. ... Crosby applied his soothing baritone to love songs, folk songs, Irish songs, Hawaiian songs, country songs — he sang almost everything and revealed almost nothing.Nov 28, 2018

What made Bing Crosby so popular?

In 1931, Crosby launched his hugely popular radio show. He soon started starring in films, winning an Academy Award for Going My Way in 1944. Throughout much of his career, Crosby dominated the music charts with nearly 300 hit singles to his credit.Apr 27, 2017

Who was better Frank Sinatra or Bing Crosby?

In a nutshell, Frank Sinatra, was a much better singer, and could connect with the everyday person out there. Bing wasn't a “Vegas” type guy! Bing was bland, Frank was anything but! If your into great vocalist though you gotta check out Bing!

How many octaves can Bing Crosby sing?

It helped that the voice itself was inimitable, a resonant, virile-sounding baritone with a range of nearly two octaves, from low G to high F, and a warm, attractively husky timbre that Armstrong likened to “gold being poured out of a cup.” But it was what Crosby did with his voice that made him stand out.Apr 1, 2001

What happened Bing Crosby?

Bing Crosby died in 1977 at 74. Lindsay Crosby committed suicide in 1989, and Dennis Crosby killed himself two years later. Gary Crosby died of complications of lung cancer in 1995.Jan 20, 2004

Why did Bing Crosby change his name?

Little Harry thought it was a real hoot and laughed uproariously whenever he read it. A neighbor, 15-year-old Valentine Hobart, noticed the laughter and started calling him “Bingo from Bingville.” The nickname was soon shortened to Bing and stuck with him for the rest of his life.Jun 19, 2016

Who sold more records Crosby or Sinatra?

Bing Crosby by the Numbers in the Music Only The Beatles, Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson can rival Bing's sales figures. Bing had sold 200 million records by 1960 and the figure had doubled by 1980. ... His recordings reached the charts 396 times, more than Frank Sinatra (209) and Elvis Presley (149) combined.Nov 25, 2014

Did Frank Sinatra copy Bing Crosby?

When Frank Sinatra was a teenager, he kept a photo of Bing Crosby on the wall of his New Jersey bedroom. Sinatra idolized Crosby, to the point where he even bought a similar hat and emulated the tilted way Crosby wore it. Sinatra was inspired by Crosby's unique style and lack of similar training.Aug 14, 2017

Is Sinatra a crooner?

A crooner is a singer, especially a man who sings jazz standards. Frank Sinatra was a well-known crooner. The noun crooner describes a silky-voiced singer of sentimental jazz favorites, particularly a male singer. Crooners were especially popular from the late 1920s until the early 1950s.

How old is Crosby?

88 years (November 25, 1933)Kathryn Crosby / Age

Did Bing Crosby fight in ww2?

Bing Crosby was heavily involved with the Armed Forces Radio Service during World War II.

What voice type was Frank Sinatra?

BaritoneHis vocal range was very remarkable. It was covering two octaves in the voice type Baritone. Frank Sinatra's tactfulness was impeccable, which enabled him to play with the rhythm of a melody.Nov 30, 2020

Who were the musicians who performed with Bing Crosby?

Al and Miles Rinker (brothers of singer Mildred Bailey ), James Heaton, Claire Pritchard and Robert Pritchard, along with drummer Crosby, formed the Musicaladers, who performed at dances both for high school students and club-goers. The group performed on Spokane radio station KHQ, but disbanded after two years. Crosby and Al Rinker obtained work at the Clemmer Theatre in Spokane (now known as the Bing Crosby Theater ).

What was Bing Crosby's most famous song?

The biggest hit song of Crosby's career was his recording of Irving Berlin ' s " White Christmas " , which he introduced on a Christmas Day radio broadcast in 1941. A copy of the recording from the radio program is owned by the estate of Bing Crosby and was loaned to CBS Sunday Morning for their December 25, 2011, program. The song appeared in his film Holiday Inn (1942). His record hit the charts on October 3, 1942, and rose to No. 1 on October 31, where it stayed for 11 weeks. A holiday perennial, the song was repeatedly re-released by Decca, charting another sixteen times. It topped the charts again in 1945 and a third time in January 1947. The song remains the bestselling single of all time. According to Guinness World Records, his recording of "White Christmas", has sold over 50 million copies around the world. His recording was so popular that he was obliged to re-record it in 1947 using the same musicians and backup singers; the original 1942 master had become damaged due to its frequent use in pressing additional singles. In 1977, after Crosby died, the song was re-released and reached No. 5 in the UK Singles Chart. Crosby was dismissive of his role in the song's success, saying "a jackdaw with a cleft palate could have sung it successfully".

Who was Bing Crosby?

Bing Crosby. Harry Lillis " Bing " Crosby Jr. (May 3, 1903 – October 14, 1977) was an American singer and actor. The first multimedia star, he was one of the most popular and influential musical artists of the 20th century. He was a leader in record sales, radio ratings, and motion picture grosses from 1930 to 1954.

What was the golden age of radio?

During the Golden Age of Radio, performers had to create their shows live, sometimes even redoing the program a second time for the West Coast time zone. Crosby had to do two live radio shows on the same day, three hours apart, for the East and West Coasts. Crosby's radio career took a significant turn in 1945, when he clashed with NBC over his insistence that he be allowed to pre-record his radio shows. (The live production of radio shows was also reinforced by the musicians' union and ASCAP, which wanted to ensure continued work for their members.) In On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio, John Dunning wrote about German engineers having developed a tape recorder with a near-professional broadcast quality standard:

Who is Crosby's father?

His father was of Scottish and English descent; an ancestor, Simon Crosby, emigrated from Scotland to New England in the 1630s during the Puritan migration to New England. Through another line, also on his father's side, Crosby is descended from Mayflower passenger William Brewster (c. 1567 – April 10, 1644).

Who were the rhythm boys?

Whiteman considered letting them go. However, the addition of pianist and aspiring songwriter Harry Barris made the difference, and The Rhythm Boys were born. The additional voice meant they could be heard more easily in large New York theaters. Crosby gained valuable experience on tour for a year with Whiteman and performing and recording with Bix Beiderbecke, Jack Teagarden, Tommy Dorsey, Jimmy Dorsey, Eddie Lang, and Hoagy Carmichael. He matured as a performer and was in demand as a solo singer.

Who has won more fans than any entertainer in history?

The June 18, 1945 issue of Life magazine stated, "America's number one star, Bing Crosby, has won more fans, made more money than any entertainer in history. Today he is a kind of national institution.". "In all, 60,000,000 Crosby discs have been marketed since he made his first record in 1931.