Bing Crosby Biography

Fast Facts

• Won a "GI Oscar" for avidly supported the troops during World War II, performing for them overseas, visiting the wounded and raising funds for the war effort
• Has been inducted into the Radio, Popular Music, Hit Parade and Western Music Halls of Fame
• Took a summer job in 1917 at the Auditorium in Spokane, Wash․, where he saw performances by Al Jolson and other greats of the day, which inspired his career as an entertainer
• Quote: "Once or twice I've been described as a light comedian․ I consider this the most accurate description of my abilities I've ever seen․"
• Had an impressive voice that ranged from baritone to base, and he incorporated jazz elements into his singing, crooning into the microphone early in his solo career
• In film, tended to play easygoing comedic characters, often alongside comedian Bob Hope, but also proved that he was a versatile actor with his dramatic role in "The Country Girl․"
• Invested in sound and video recording technologies, and his experimentation with pre-recorded radio shows gave birth to the laugh track
• Broke racial barriers by contributing to the defense fund for the Scottsboro Boys, insisting that musician Louis Armstrong receive equal billing to the white stars of "Pennies from Heaven" and recording with the Duke Ellington Orchestra
• His first recording, "I've Got The Girl" with Al Rinker and Don Clarke's Orchestra, was recorded at a slower speed than intended, making the singers' voices sound higher than they were
• Loved hunting, fishing, baseball, horseracing and golf, and actually died just after winning a round of golf in Spain