Bing Crosby: The Crooning King of Old-Time Radio

Bing Crosby was a true titan of old-time radio, captivating audiences across America with his smooth baritone voice and effortless charisma. From his early days as a rising star on the West Coast to his reign as one of the most popular entertainers of the Golden Age of Radio, Crosby left an indelible mark on the medium and paved the way for countless vocalists who followed in his footsteps.

Early Life and Background

Bing Crosby was born Harry Lillis Crosby on May 3, 1903, in Tacoma, Washington. The fourth of seven children, young Harry grew up in a close-knit Catholic family, with his father Harry Lillis Crosby Sr. working as a bookkeeper and his mother Catherine Harrigan hailing from an Irish immigrant background. The family moved to Spokane when Bing was just three years old, and it was there that he would develop his lifelong passion for music and performance.

As a child, Crosby was drawn to the vibrant entertainment scene in Spokane, often sneaking out to catch vaudeville shows and musical acts. He was particularly mesmerized by the electric stage presence of Al Jolson, whose dynamic singing and comedic stylings would leave a lasting impression on the young Crosby. After graduating from Gonzaga High School in 1920, Crosby enrolled at Gonzaga University, where he played on the baseball team and began honing his musical talents, performing with local dance bands and glee clubs.

Entry Into Radio

Crosby's big break came in 1926 when he joined the Rhythm Boys, a popular vocal trio based in Los Angeles. The group's smooth harmonies and Crosby's distinctive crooning style quickly caught the attention of bandleader Paul Whiteman, who hired them to perform on his nationally syndicated radio program. It was during this time that Crosby earned his famous nickname, with the story going that he would often imitate the sound of a gun - "bing, bing, bing" - while playing cops and robbers as a child.

Crosby's radio debut on the Whiteman show in 1927 was a resounding success, and soon he was in high demand, appearing on a variety of programs throughout the late 1920s and early 1930s. In 1931, he landed his first solo radio show, The Cremo Singer, which aired six nights a week on the CBS network. Over the next few years, Crosby would continue to hone his craft, appearing on shows like The Woodbury Soap Program and The Chesterfield Program, and developing the relaxed, conversational delivery that would become his trademark.

The Kraft Music Hall and Crosby's Golden Age

Crosby's big break came in 1935 when he was hired to host the prestigious Kraft Music Hall, a weekly variety program that would become the centerpiece of his radio career. Airing on NBC, the show featured a mix of music, comedy, and celebrity guests, with Crosby serving as the affable host and occasional performer. His easygoing style and impeccable vocal talents quickly made him a favorite with listeners, and by the late 1930s, he had become one of the most popular entertainers in the country.

During the 1940s, Crosby's reign as the "King of Radio" reached its apex. In addition to his work on the Kraft Music Hall, he starred in a series of hit films, including the "Road" pictures with Bob Hope, and released a string of best-selling recordings. His 1942 recording of "White Christmas" remains one of the best-selling singles of all time, and his performance in the 1944 film Going My Way earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor.

Broadcasting Style and Signature Techniques

Crosby's success on radio was due in no small part to his unique broadcasting style and innovative techniques. Unlike many of his contemporaries who performed their shows live, Crosby insisted on pre-recording his programs, a move that allowed him greater control over the final product and the flexibility to take breaks as needed. This approach, which was initially met with resistance from networks and sponsors, ultimately paved the way for the widespread adoption of magnetic tape recording in the radio industry.

Crosby's relaxed, conversational delivery and impeccable timing also set him apart from other vocalists of the era. He possessed a natural ability to ad-lib and improvise, often incorporating spontaneous banter and playful interactions with his guests and supporting cast. This informal, almost intimate style helped to forge a strong connection with his listeners, who felt as though they were part of the show.

Professional Relationships and Collaborations

Throughout his career, Crosby cultivated close working relationships with a number of other prominent figures in the entertainment industry. His long-running partnership with comedian Bob Hope, which spanned more than two decades and a series of popular "Road" films, is perhaps the most well-known. The two entertainers, though never officially declaring themselves a "team," developed a natural on-screen chemistry that delighted audiences and cemented their status as one of the most iconic duos in Hollywood history.

Crosby also enjoyed fruitful collaborations with a number of other artists, including the Andrews Sisters, with whom he recorded several hit songs, and the Williams Brothers Quartet, who provided vocal accompaniment on many of his recordings. Additionally, Crosby was a key figure in the development of the United Western Recorders studio complex in Los Angeles, working alongside fellow crooner Frank Sinatra to establish the facility as a hub for musical innovation and experimentation.

Legacy and Influence

Bing Crosby's impact on the world of old-time radio and popular music cannot be overstated. His smooth, velvety baritone voice and effortless stage presence set the standard for generations of vocalists to come, and his pioneering use of pre-recorded programming helped to revolutionize the radio industry. Beyond his musical achievements, Crosby was also a savvy businessman and technologist, investing in the development of magnetic tape recording and helping to usher in the era of modern audio production.

Perhaps most importantly, Crosby's enduring popularity and cultural significance speak to his ability to connect with audiences on a deeply personal level. Whether crooning a romantic ballad or engaging in playful banter with his guests, he possessed a rare charisma that transcended the boundaries of the radio medium and cemented his status as one of the most beloved entertainers of the 20th century.

Works and Appearances

Radio

The Cremo Singer (1931, CBS) - 6 nights a week, 15 minutes
The Woodbury Soap Program (1931-1932, CBS) - 6 nights a week, 15 minutes
The Chesterfield Program (1932, CBS) - Initially 3 nights a week, then twice a week, 15 minutes
The Crisco Program (1933, CBS) - Broadcast two nights a week, 15 minutes
The Kraft Music Hall (1935-1946, NBC) - Thursday nights, 60 minutes until January 1943, then 30 minutes
The Philco Radio Time (1946-1949, ABC) - 30 minutes weekly
The Minute Maid Show (1948-1950, CBS) - 15 minutes each weekday morning; Bing as disc jockey
The General Electric Program (1949-1952, CBS) - 30 minutes weekly
The Bing Crosby Show (1952-1954, CBS) - 30 minutes weekly
The CBS Radio Workshop (CBS) - 15 minutes, 5 nights a week
The Bing Crosby-Rosemary Clooney Show (CBS, NBC, and Mutual) - 1 hour each year, sponsored by the Kraft Foods Company
The Bing Crosby Show (1957-1958, CBS) - 5 minutes, 5 days a week
The Bing Crosby Show (1960-1962, CBS) - 20 minutes, 5 mornings a week, with Rosemary Clooney

Television

The Fireside Theater (1950) - Crosby's first television production, a series of 26-minute "telefilms" filmed at Hal Roach Studios and syndicated to individual stations
Frequent guest on musical variety shows of the 1950s and 1960s, including The Hollywood Palace, where he was the first and most frequent guest host
Appeared on The Flip Wilson Show in the early 1970s, singing duets with the comedian
Bing Crosby's Merrie Olde Christmas (1977) - Crosby's final TV appearance, a Christmas special taped in London and aired weeks after his death, featuring his duet with David Bowie on "The Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth"

Film

Starred in the popular "Road" film series with Bob Hope, including Road to Singapore (1940), Road to Zanzibar (1941), Road to Morocco (1942), and Road to Utopia (1946)
Won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in the 1944 film Going My Way
Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for the 1945 film The Bells of St. Mary's, opposite Ingrid Bergman

Recordings

Inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for his recordings of "White Christmas" (1942), "Swinging on a Star" (1944), "Pennies from Heaven" (1936), and "Don't Fence Me In" (1944)
His 1945 album Merry Christmas certified Gold by the RIAA, with the re-issued White Christmas album reaching 4x Platinum
Bing Sings (1977) album certified 2x Platinum

Other Media

Partnered with Ed Craney to establish a CBS television affiliate in Spokane, Washington in the early 1950s
Invested in the development of magnetic tape recording and the Ampex Corporation, helping to revolutionize the radio industry
Co-owner of the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team, winning the World Series in 1960 and 1971