J2302

American Music

Bing Crosby

Collins Cover Announcement

POPULAR SINGERS

Bing Crosby

Bing came into prominence in the 1930's with a nightly CBS radio show. As we all know, from this humble beginning he went on to bcome a world famous singer and movie actor and was one of the top personalities of his time.

He was born Harry Lillis Crosby on May 2, 1904 in Tacoma, Washington. He didn't start singing until his college days when he joined a band called the Musicaladers doing dances and private parties. In 1927 he and a friend went to Los Angeles where they were hired as singers for the Paul Whitman Band. Their early recordings from this era of Bing's life such as "Mississippi Mud" are now considered collectors' items.

From Los Angeles, Crosby did a short vaudeville tour, appeared in Hollywood's "The King of Jazz", sangthe Coconut Grove, and made a number of film shorts for Mack Sennett. After becoming a nationwide radio star, he was featured at New York City's Paramount Theatre for a record run of 20 consecutive weeks. In the 1930's he made several movies and many records for Decca. In 1936 he left CBS Radio to star on NBC's Kraft Music Hall.

The first appearance of Bing Crosby and Bob Hope as a comedy team came in 1940 with "The Road to Singapore". With Dorothy Lamour as leading lady, five more "Road" pictures followed with the popular Hope and Crosby comedy team, often ad-libbing with each other.

Bing Crosby starred in an incredible 577 movies including 1944's "Going My Way" in which he portrayed Father O'Malley and won an Academy Award. In 1945 with Ingrid Bergman he made "Bells of St Mary's" which was a big hit.

During World War II, he sang at military bases and armed services hospitals. In June of 1952 he made his television debut with Bob Hope and subsequently appeared in many holiday specials throughout the years. His recording of "White Christmas" is the biggest selling record in history. His distinctive singing style and immense talent is undisputed as this popular entertainer has had more songs in the "Top Ten" lists than any other individual singer ever.

My hand-painted cachet, in the same format as those previously offered, completes the COLLINS set of five popular singers. A giant in American entertainment history. Bing Crosby. Item #J2302. $10.75