Crosby, Bing

Crosby, Bing
orig. Harry Lillis Crosby

born May 3, 1903, Tacoma, Wash., U.S.
died Oct. 14, 1977, near Madrid, Spain

U.S. singer and actor.

Crosby began to sing and play drums while studying law in Spokane, Wash. As a singer with the Paul Whiteman orchestra in 1927, he exhibited a mellow "crooning" style and casual stage manner that proved highly popular. He appeared in the early sound film King of Jazz (1931), and he later had his own radio program. By the late 1930s his records had sold millions of copies. His recordings of "White Christmas" and "Silent Night" were among the most popular songs of the 20th century. In the 1940s he starred in a popular radio variety show. His film career included the seven Road comedies with Bob Hope and Dorothy Lamour, beginning with The Road to Singapore (1940); Going My Way (1944, Academy Award); The Bells of St. Mary's (1945); and White Christmas (1954). More than 300 million of his records have been sold, a total surpassed only by Elvis Presley among solo artists.

Bing Crosby

Brown Brothers

* * *

▪ American singer, actor, and songwriter
byname of  Harry Lillis Crosby  
born May 3, 1903, Tacoma, Wash., U.S.
died Oct. 14, 1977, near Madrid, Spain
 American singer, actor, and songwriter who achieved great popularity in radio, recordings, and motion pictures. He became the archetypal crooner of a period when the advent of radio broadcasting and talking pictures and the refinement of sound-recording techniques made the climate ideal for the rise of such a figure. His casual stage manner and mellow, relaxed singing style influenced two generations of pop singers and made him the most successful entertainer of his day.

 Crosby began to sing and to play the drums while studying law at Spokane, Wash. After a period spent singing with the Paul Whiteman orchestra in 1927, he appeared in the early sound film King of Jazz (1931). Crosby became a star after getting his own program on the CBS radio station in New York City in 1932. He began appearing in more films, and by the late 1930s his records were selling millions of copies. His songwriting activities included part-authorship of “A Ghost of a Chance” and “Where the Blue of the Night” (his radio theme song). His recording of “White Christmas” became one of the most popular songs of the century, exceeded in record sales only by his “Silent Night.” In the 1940s he was the star of a popular radio variety show. Crosby won an Academy Award for best actor for his portrayal of Father O'Malley in the film Going My Way (1944).

 Crosby's career took a new turn to comedy in the series of seven “Road” films in which he appeared with Bob Hope and Dorothy Lamour, beginning with Road to Singapore (1940). His other films include The Bells of St. Mary's (1945), White Christmas (1954), and The Country Girl (1954). His autobiography, Call Me Lucky, appeared in 1953. Crosby ran a successful television production company in the 1960s. An astute businessman, he amassed one of the largest fortunes in Hollywood from his earnings as an entertainer and from shrewd investments. By the mid-1970s, 400 million copies of his records had been sold. He was a notable sportsman and died of a heart attack while on a golf course.
 

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Crosby, Bing — (1903 1977)    One of the most successful singers and film stars in history, Bing Crosby was born Harry Lillis Crosby in Tacoma, Washington. He was educated at Gongaza High School in Spokane, Washington, and attended Gongaza University from 1921… …   Historical Dictionary of the Roosevelt–Truman Era

  • Crosby, Bing — • КРО СБИ (Crosby) Бинг (наст. имя Харри Лиллис) (2.5.1904 14.10.1977)    амер. актёр, певец. В кон. 20 х гг. выступал как певец в джазе П. Уайтмена. С 1930 в кино (ф. концерт Король джаза ). В 30 е гг. участвовал в муз. ф. Слишком много гармонии …   Кино: Энциклопедический словарь

  • Crosby, Bing — orig. Harry Lillis Crosby (3 may. 1903, Tacoma, Wash., EE.UU.–14 oct. 1977, cerca de Madrid, España). Cantante y actor estadounidense. Empezó a cantar y a tocar la batería mientras estudiaba derecho en Spokane, Wash. En 1926, como cantante de la… …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Crosby, Bing — pseud. di Crosby, Harry Lillis …   Sinonimi e Contrari. Terza edizione

  • Bing Crosby — Crosby in Road to Singapore (1940) Background information Birth name Harry Lillis Crosby …   Wikipedia

  • Bing Crosby — Nombre real Harry Lillis Crosby Nacimiento 3 de mayo de 1903 …   Wikipedia Español

  • Bing Crosby — Pour les articles homonymes, voir Bing et Crosby. Bing Crosby Fichier:Crosby Publicity Paramount 1946.jpg Bing Crosby en 1946 Données clés Nom de naissance Harry Lillis Crosby Naissance …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Bing with a Beat — Infobox Album | Name = Bing With A Beat Type = Album Artist = Bing Crosby Released = 1957 Recorded = February 19, 20 1957 Genre = Vocal Length = 37:44 Label = RCA Victor| Arranger = Matty Matlock Reviews = *… …   Wikipedia

  • Bing Crosby — noun United States singer and film actor (1904 1977) • Syn: ↑Crosby, ↑Harry Lillis Crosby • Instance Hypernyms: ↑crooner, ↑balladeer, ↑actor, ↑histrion, ↑player, ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • Crosby (Asteroid) — Asteroid (2825) Crosby Eigenschaften des Orbits Orbittyp Hauptgürtelasteroid Große Halbachse 2,2457 AE Exzentrizität 0,1746 …   Deutsch Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”