Crosby, George Robert

▪ 1994

      ("BOB"), U.S. bandleader (b. Aug. 25, 1913, Spokane, Wash.—d. March 9, 1993, La Jolla, Calif.), was a mediocre vocalist but was able to capitalize on the star status of his older brother Bing, a famous crooner, to secure engagements for his swing band, the Bobcats, which produced a string of hit songs, including "South Rampart Street Parade," "The Big Crash from China," and "The Big Noise from Winnetka," and was featured in more than 20 films, notably Let's Make Music, As Thousands Cheer, and Pardon My Rhythm. In 1935 Crosby fronted his own orchestra, and his Bobcats evolved from that larger group, making it the first band within a band, a major contribution to jazz. Its potent arrangements of New Orleans jazz became known as Dixieland Swing and made it one of the most interesting bands of the 1930s and '40s. Crosby also formed the short-lived Bob-o-Links, a vocal group from within his band. The Bobcats disbanded in 1942 soon after the outbreak of World War II. Later Crosby reassembled the band for special occasions and tours, performing with it for more than 40 years.

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