Bing Crosby (Birthday May 3rd) – American Singer Biography, Bing Crosby Career, Awards & Honors.

Introduction: Bing Crosby was a renowned American singer and actor who has a long list of movies and awards to his credit.

Background Information:

•Bing Crosby was born on May 3, 1903 in Tacoma, Washington.
•Bing Crosby birth name was Harry Lillis Crosby. “Bing” was actually a nick-name given by a neighbor.
•Crosby has six other siblings- four brothers and two sisters. Bing Crosby father and mother had an English and Irish lineage respectively.
•The Crosby family moved to Spokane, Washington in 1906. While in Spokane, Bing Crosby worked part-time in an auditorium where he was inspired by the performances of Al Jolson.
•Bing Crosby studied law at the Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington.
•That was when Crosby joined a local band called “Musicaladars” along with some high-school students.
•The band met with phenomenal success and he dropped out of school for a singing career.
•Bing Crosby lost his first wife to ovarian cancer in 1952 and had four children from that marriage.
•After a series of link-ups Bing Crosby married Kathryn Grant in 1957 and went on to have three children from her.
•Crosby also had a history of alcohol, tobacco and marijuana abuse in his early days but quit after a lung surgery in 1974.
•Bing Crosby was also an avid sportsperson. Bing died of a massive heart attack while playing golf in Madrid, Spain on October 14, 1977 .
•Bing Crosby was 74 at the time of his death.

Bing Crosby Career:

•Bing Crosby was discovered in 1926 by a popular bandleader Paul Whiteman who instantly hired him.
•The first song Crosby recorded was “I’ve Got The Girl”.
•The band was rechristened “The Rhythm Boys” and Crosby became a popular figure in the music industry.
•Bing Crosby first hit was “Ol’Man River” which came out in 1928.
•Bing later left the “Rhythm Boys” and signed up with Brunswick Records and came out with many hit songs with them.
•Eventually, Bing Crosby parted with the band members and the company to establish a solo musical career.
•From the 1930-1950’s Bing ruled the roost with chart-toping numbers and hit solos.
•Bing Crosby popularity also landed him roles in 79 movies.
•Crosby made his radio debut with the Carl Fenton Orchestra.
•Crosby hosted NBC’s Kraft Music Hall for ten years.
•It was due to him that the word “crooner” came to exist in popular music.
•In 1942, he delivered his biggest musical hit- “White Christmas”.
•Bing Crosby stayed at #1 position on the charts for 11 consecutive weeks.
•Other Academy award winning songs by Crosby include "Sweet Leilani" (1937), "White Christmas" (1942), "Swinging on a Star" (1944), "In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening" (1951) — and won an acting Oscar for Going My Way (1944).

Awards and honors:

•Inducted in the radio and popular music divisions of National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame .
•Spokane has a theatre named after Bing Crosby.
•His statue, memorabilia and awards are on display at the Crosby Student Center in Gonzaga University.
•Was given the coveted Bob Jones Award by the United States Golf Association for outstanding sportsmanship in Golf.
•Bing Crosby won the first ever Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1962.
•In 2007, he was inducted into the Hit Parade Hall of Fame
•Bing Crosby was recognized by yank magazine for doing most of American G.I. morale during World War II as a person.
•In 1948, Bing was voted as the "most admired man alive".
•In 1945, Bing Crosby won as Oscar for “Best Actor in Leading Role” for “Going My Way”.