Bing Crosby: influences, peers and legacy

Every connection with its receipt

Bing Crosby turned the microphone into an instrument of intimacy, translating hot jazz phrasing into a conversational pop voice that ruled records, radio and film for half a century. This mix traces the Spokane and Whiteman-era roots of that voice, the jazz and Irish-tenor traditions feeding it, and the crooners and country singers who inherited it.

The Kynda mix for Bing Crosby

• Key Influence · West End Blues by Louis Armstrong (1928). Crosby repeatedly named Armstrong the single greatest influence on his singing, and the two recorded and filmed together (notably 1936's Pennies from Heaven and later Bing & Satchmo). Armstrong's 1928 Hot Five sides taught Crosby to bend a melody, delay a phrase behind the beat and treat the voice as a horn — the rhythmic liberty that separated his crooning from stiff 1920s megaphone singing.
• Influencia Obscura · Singin' the Blues by Bix Beiderbecke (1927). Crosby sat in the Whiteman organization alongside Beiderbecke, and their friendship is among the best-documented of his apprenticeship years. Bix's cool, lyrical cornet — understated where Armstrong was blazing — offered a second jazz model: restraint, pure tone, melodic paraphrase rather than display. The ballad Crosby of the early 1930s is unimaginable without that chamber-jazz temperature.
• Local Roots · Mississippi Mud by Harry Barris (1927). Barris was the third Rhythm Boy, the pianist Crosby and Al Rinker met in the Los Angeles orbit of the Cocoanut Grove and Whiteman's band. He co-wrote this novelty the trio made famous and supplied Crosby with early solo vehicles including I Surrender Dear and Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams — songs built specifically around the young singer's new microphone intimacy.
• Beyond the Medium · Ave Maria, D. 839 by Franz Schubert (1825). Crosby recorded the Schubert Ave Maria and similar sacred and art-song material for Decca, treating nineteenth-century lieder as ordinary pop repertoire. The microphone let him sing a piece written for parlor voice and piano at genuine conversational volume, and those records — alongside Silent Night, one of history's best-selling discs — carried European sacred song into millions of American living rooms.
• Peer · Prisoner of Love by Russ Columbo (1931). Columbo was Crosby's closest rival in the 1931 crooner boom — the press manufactured a Crosby-Columbo-Vallée battle of the baritones, and both men were building film careers when Columbo died in a 1934 accident at 26. His lush, vibrato-heavy romanticism marks the road Crosby didn't take, making audible how much rhythmic jazz feeling Crosby brought to the same material.
• From the Canon · Whispering by Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra (1920). Whiteman, raised in Denver but the dominant force in West Coast dance music when Crosby arrived, hired Rinker and Crosby in 1926 and made them stars of his stage shows. His vast orchestra was the finishing school: it gave Crosby national exposure, put him beside Beiderbecke and the Dorseys, and taught him the studio discipline that his solo career on Brunswick and Decca would rest on.
• Key Collaborator · Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen by The Andrews Sisters (1937). The Andrews Sisters were Crosby's most prolific Decca partners, cutting dozens of sides together from 1939 onward including Pistol Packin' Mama and Don't Fence Me In, several of them million-sellers. Their breakout hit shows the swing-harmony machinery Crosby played off: he supplied the relaxed center while the sisters stacked rhythmic drive around him, a template for pop duet records for decades.
• Legacy · In the Wee Small Hours by Frank Sinatra (1955). Sinatra called Crosby the father of his career and said he decided to become a singer after seeing him perform; the two later co-starred in High Society and worked together on television. Sinatra took Crosby's microphone intimacy and pushed it toward confession, building the concept album on the premise Crosby established — that a popular singer could address one listener at a time.

What influenced Bing Crosby

• Louis Armstrong. Crosby admired and copied Armstrong. (also via West End Blues) “I'm proud to acknowledge my debt to the 'Reverend Satchelmouth' ... He is the beginning and the end of music in America.” (Louis Armstrong Society Jazz Band)
• Al Jolson. The article describes Crosby’s strong early impression of Jolson’s performance. (also via My Mammy) “In 1917, Crosby took a summer job as property boy at Spokane's Auditorium, where he witnessed some of the acts of the day, including Al Jolson , who held Crosby spellbound with ad-libbing and parodies of Hawaiian songs .” (Wikipedia)
• West End Blues by Louis Armstrong (1928). West End Blues (Louis Armstrong) — titan for Bing Crosby “Crosby admired Louis Armstrong for his musical ability, and the trumpet maestro was a formative influence on Crosby's singing style.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Singin' the Blues by Bix Beiderbecke (1927). Singin' the Blues (Bix Beiderbecke) — ghost for Bing Crosby “Crosby gained valuable experience on tour for a year with Whiteman and performing and recording with Bix Beiderbecke, Jack Teagarden, Tommy Dorsey, Jimmy Dorsey, Eddie Lang, and Hoagy Carmichael.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• My Mammy by Al Jolson (1928). My Mammy (Al Jolson) — titan for Bing Crosby “In 1917, Crosby took a summer job as property boy at Spokane's Auditorium, where he witnessed some of the acts of the day, including Al Jolson, who held Crosby spellbound with ad-libbing and parodies of Hawaiian songs.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Rockin' Chair by Mildred Bailey. Rockin' Chair (Mildred Bailey) — titan for Bing Crosby “Al and Miles Rinker (brothers of singer Mildred Bailey), James Heaton, Claire Pritchard and Robert Pritchard, along with drummer Crosby, formed the Musicaladers, who performed at dances both for high school students and club-goers.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Beautiful Dreamer by Stephen Foster (1864). Beautiful Dreamer (Stephen Foster) — culture for Bing Crosby “In a "Fractured Fairy Tales" segment of The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show, Aladdin finds a lamp with a female genie with light brown hair, who immediately asks, "Are you Stephen Foster?" Lucille Ball, in an episode of The Lucy Show, announce…” (en.wikipedia.org)
• I Hear You Calling Me by John McCormack (1908). I Hear You Calling Me (John McCormack) — titan for Bing Crosby
• Blue Yodel No. 1 (T for Texas) by Jimmie Rodgers (1927). Blue Yodel No. 1 (T for Texas) (Jimmie Rodgers) — ghost for Bing Crosby
• Ave Maria, D. 839 by Franz Schubert (1825). Ave Maria, D. 839 (Franz Schubert) — culture for Bing Crosby

Peers and kindred spirits

• Rosemary Clooney (1928). Bing Crosby lent his backing quartet to Rosemary Clooney, indicating a musical collaboration/connection. (also via Bing Crosby Sings Again) “In 1954, Clooney starred, along with Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye , and Vera-Ellen , in the movie White Christmas .” (Wikipedia)
• Bob Hope. Critic notes Hope and Crosby starring together in the film The Road to Hong Kong. (also via White Christmas, Thanks for the Memory) “Hope and Crosby teamed not only for the "Road" pictures, but for many stage, radio, and television appearances and many brief movie appearances together over the decades [ 38 ] until Crosby died in 1977.” (Wikipedia)
• Les Paul (1915). States that Les Paul worked as a musician playing with Bing Crosby on national radio. “I was working with Bing Crosby on the Kraft Music Hall in California and Bing says to me:” (Bing Crosby Internet Museum)
• Ella Fitzgerald. The article names Fitzgerald among Crosby’s jazz collaborators. (also via Bing Crosby: The Early Years) “We are beyond excited to share these duets featuring Dad and the incredible Ella Fitzgerald” (Primary Wave Music)
• Dorothy Lamour (1914). Lamour identified as the recurring partner of Hope and Crosby across the Road comedy series. “Crosby starred with Bob Hope and Dorothy Lamour in six of the seven Road to musical comedies between 1940 and 1962” (Wikipedia)
• Bix Beiderbecke. Crosby performed and recorded with Beiderbecke. (also via Singin' the Blues) “Crosby gained valuable experience on tour for a year with Whiteman and performing and recording with Bix Beiderbecke , Jack Teagarden , Tommy Dorsey , Jimmy Dorsey , Eddie Lang , and Hoagy Carmichael .” (Wikipedia)
• Count Basie. Basie recorded with Crosby. “Bing Crosby 's only full-length collaboration with the Count Basie orchestra has always struck me as a missed opportunity” (Bing Crosby on CD)
• Judy Garland. Garland appeared on Crosby's radio program. “Bing and Judy do a skit about hunting for a Thanksgiving turkey.” (Internet Archive)
• The Andrews Sisters. Crosby recorded numerous songs with the Andrews Sisters. (also via Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen) “Crosby charted 23 Billboard hits from 47 recorded songs with the Andrews Sisters , whose Decca record sales were second only to Crosby's throughout the 1940s. They were his most frequent collaborators on disc from 1939 to 1952” (Wikipedia)
• Fred Astaire (1899). Astaire co-starred with Bing Crosby in Holiday Inn. “Astaire played alongside Bing Crosby in the enormously successful Holiday Inn (1942)” (Wikipedia)
• Prisoner of Love by Russ Columbo (1931). Prisoner of Love (Russ Columbo) — peer for Bing Crosby “A "Battle of the Baritones" with singer Russ Columbo proved short-lived, replaced with the slogan "Bing Was King".” (en.wikipedia.org)
• I'm Just a Vagabond Lover by Rudy Vallée (1929). I'm Just a Vagabond Lover (Rudy Vallée) — peer for Bing Crosby “Vallée's trombone-like vocal phrasing on "Deep Night" would inspire Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and Perry Como to model their voices on jazz instruments.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Thanks for the Memory by Bob Hope (1938). Thanks for the Memory (Bob Hope) — collaborator for Bing Crosby “He was also known for his collaborations with his friend Bob Hope, starring in the Road to ...” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Paul Whiteman. Crosby toured with Whiteman. “Crosby gained valuable experience on tour for a year with Whiteman and performing and recording with Bix Beiderbecke , Jack Teagarden , Tommy Dorsey , Jimmy Dorsey , Eddie Lang , and Hoagy Carmichael .” (Wikipedia)
• Jack Teagarden. Crosby performed and recorded with Teagarden. “Crosby gained valuable experience on tour for a year with Whiteman and performing and recording with Bix Beiderbecke , Jack Teagarden , Tommy Dorsey , Jimmy Dorsey , Eddie Lang , and Hoagy Carmichael .” (Wikipedia)
• Tommy Dorsey. Crosby performed and recorded with Tommy Dorsey. “Crosby gained valuable experience on tour for a year with Whiteman and performing and recording with Bix Beiderbecke , Jack Teagarden , Tommy Dorsey , Jimmy Dorsey , Eddie Lang , and Hoagy Carmichael .” (Wikipedia)
• Jimmy Dorsey. Crosby performed and recorded with Jimmy Dorsey. “Crosby gained valuable experience on tour for a year with Whiteman and performing and recording with Bix Beiderbecke , Jack Teagarden , Tommy Dorsey , Jimmy Dorsey , Eddie Lang , and Hoagy Carmichael .” (Wikipedia)
• Eddie Lang. Crosby performed and recorded with Lang. “Crosby gained valuable experience on tour for a year with Whiteman and performing and recording with Bix Beiderbecke , Jack Teagarden , Tommy Dorsey , Jimmy Dorsey , Eddie Lang , and Hoagy Carmichael .” (Wikipedia)
• Hoagy Carmichael. Crosby performed and recorded with Carmichael. “Crosby gained valuable experience on tour for a year with Whiteman and performing and recording with Bix Beiderbecke , Jack Teagarden , Tommy Dorsey , Jimmy Dorsey , Eddie Lang , and Hoagy Carmichael .” (Wikipedia)
• David Bowie (1947). Crosby recorded a duet with Bowie. “It was on this special that Crosby recorded a duet of " The Little Drummer Boy " and " Peace on Earth " with rock musician David Bowie .” (Wikipedia)
• Buddy Cole (1916). The article mentions Crosby’s recordings with Buddy Cole and His Trio. “Crosby's recordings with Buddy Cole and His Trio from the mid-1950s, as well as in his numerous collaborations with such jazz musicians as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Joe Venuti, or Eddie Lang.” (Wikipedia)
• Duke Ellington (1899). The article names Ellington among Crosby’s jazz collaborators. “Crosby's recordings with Buddy Cole and His Trio from the mid-1950s, as well as in his numerous collaborations with such jazz musicians as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Joe Venuti, or Eddie Lang.” (Wikipedia)
• Joe Venuti. The article names Venuti among Crosby’s jazz collaborators. “Crosby's recordings with Buddy Cole and His Trio from the mid-1950s, as well as in his numerous collaborations with such jazz musicians as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Joe Venuti, or Eddie Lang.” (Wikipedia)
• The Rhythm Boys. In context, the additional voice helped form the Rhythm Boys, of which Crosby was a member. “The additional voice meant they could be heard more easily in large New York theaters. Crosby gained valuable experience on tour for a year with Whiteman” (Wikipedia)
• The Musicaladers. Crosby was a founding member of the Musicaladers. “Al and Miles Rinker (brothers of singer Mildred Bailey ), James Heaton, Claire Pritchard and Robert Pritchard, along with drummer Crosby, formed the Musicaladers, [ 5 ] who performed at dances both for high school students and club-goers.” (Wikipedia)
• Fancy Meeting You Here. Clooney recorded the album as duets with Crosby. “In 1958, she recorded Fancy Meeting You Here , an album of duets with Bing Crosby .” (Wikipedia)
• How the West Was Won. The discography lists Crosby as a collaborator on How the West Was Won. “A Touch of Tabasco (with Perez Prado ) How the West Was Won (with Bing Crosby ) Rosie Swings Softly Clap Hands! Here Comes Rosie!” (Wikipedia)
• That Travelin' Two Beat. The discography credits Crosby alongside Clooney on That Travelin' Two Beat. “That Travelin' Two Beat - Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney (with Bing Crosby) Look My Way Nice to Be Around A Tribute to Duke” (Wikipedia)
• Danny Kaye. White Christmas features Rosemary Clooney with Danny Kaye. (via White Christmas) “We’ll ,be seeing Clooney’s “White Christmas,” with Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye” (Evening Star (Washington, D.C.))
• Mississippi Mud by Harry Barris (1927). Mississippi Mud (Harry Barris) — geography for Bing Crosby “However, the addition of pianist and aspiring songwriter Harry Barris made the difference, and The Rhythm Boys were born.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Tiger Rag by Original Dixieland Jazz Band (1918). Tiger Rag (Original Dixieland Jazz Band) — geography for Bing Crosby (musicbrainz.org)
• My Blue Heaven by Gene Austin (1927). My Blue Heaven (Gene Austin) — peer for Bing Crosby “The Rise of the Crooners: Gene Austin, Russ Columbo, Bing Crosby, Nick Lucas, Johnny Marvin and Rudy Vallee (Scarecrow Press, 2001).” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen by The Andrews Sisters (1937). Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen (The Andrews Sisters) — collaborator for Bing Crosby “Crosby charted 23 Billboard hits from 47 recorded songs with the Andrews Sisters, whose Decca record sales were second only to Crosby's throughout the 1940s.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Moonlight Becomes You by Jimmy Van Heusen (1942). Moonlight Becomes You (Jimmy Van Heusen) — collaborator for Bing Crosby “Their songs were featured in many Bing Crosby films of the era, including some of the Road installments and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court (1949).” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Irving Berlin. Sinatra covered Irving Berlin's song White Christmas. (via White Christmas)

Who Bing Crosby influenced

• Frank Sinatra (1915). Sinatra idolized Bing Crosby as a young man. (also via White Christmas, Where the Blue of the Night (Meets the Gold of the Day), In the Wee Small Hours) “With Frank Sinatra, Crosby was one of the principal backers for the United Western Recorders studio complex in Los Angeles.” (Wikipedia)
• Tony Bennett (1926). Bennett cites Bing Crosby as a vocal influence. “So I listened to Sinatra. I listened to Bing Crosby. I listened to Louis Armstrong.” (Fresh Air Archive (NPR))
• Dean Martin. The article names Martin among singers influenced by Crosby. (also via Everybody Loves Somebody) “influenced many male singers who followed, such as Frank Sinatra , [ 6 ] Andy Williams , Perry Como , Dean Martin , Johnny Cash , Glen Campbell , Elton John , John Denver , Dick Haymes , Bob Dylan , Elvis Presley , John Lennon and Paul M…” (Wikipedia)
• I. M. Pei (1917). Pei credits Bing Crosby's films with influencing his decision to study in America. “Crosby's films in particular had a tremendous influence on my choosing the United States instead of England to pursue my education.” (Wikipedia)
• Jimmy Mills (1894). Jimmy Mills is compared to Bing Crosby, being nicknamed the 'Sepia Bing Crosby'. “.linin' Mills, be>-t known to cabaret patrons as the Sepia Bing Crosby scored with a give i nut on Wrap Your Troubles in Du am” (The Detroit Tribune (Detroit, Mich.))
• In the Wee Small Hours by Frank Sinatra. In the Wee Small Hours (Frank Sinatra) — legacy for Bing Crosby “Crosby's early career coincided with recording innovations that allowed him to develop an intimate singing style that influenced many male singers who followed, such as Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams, Perry Como, Dean Martin, Johnny Cash, …” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Everybody Loves Somebody by Dean Martin (1964). Everybody Loves Somebody (Dean Martin) — legacy for Bing Crosby “Crosby's early career coincided with recording innovations that allowed him to develop an intimate singing style that influenced many male singers who followed, such as Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams, Perry Como, Dean Martin, Johnny Cash, …” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Andy Williams. The article names Williams among singers influenced by Crosby. “influenced many male singers who followed, such as Frank Sinatra , [ 6 ] Andy Williams , Perry Como , Dean Martin , Johnny Cash , Glen Campbell , Elton John , John Denver , Dick Haymes , Bob Dylan , Elvis Presley , John Lennon and Paul M…” (Wikipedia)
• Perry Como. The article names Como among singers influenced by Crosby. “influenced many male singers who followed, such as Frank Sinatra , [ 6 ] Andy Williams , Perry Como , Dean Martin , Johnny Cash , Glen Campbell , Elton John , John Denver , Dick Haymes , Bob Dylan , Elvis Presley , John Lennon and Paul M…” (Wikipedia)
• Johnny Cash. The article names Cash among singers influenced by Crosby. “influenced many male singers who followed, such as Frank Sinatra , [ 6 ] Andy Williams , Perry Como , Dean Martin , Johnny Cash , Glen Campbell , Elton John , John Denver , Dick Haymes , Bob Dylan , Elvis Presley , John Lennon and Paul M…” (Wikipedia)
• Glen Campbell. The article names Campbell among singers influenced by Crosby. “influenced many male singers who followed, such as Frank Sinatra , [ 6 ] Andy Williams , Perry Como , Dean Martin , Johnny Cash , Glen Campbell , Elton John , John Denver , Dick Haymes , Bob Dylan , Elvis Presley , John Lennon and Paul M…” (Wikipedia)
• Elton John (1962). The article names John among singers influenced by Crosby. “influenced many male singers who followed, such as Frank Sinatra , [ 6 ] Andy Williams , Perry Como , Dean Martin , Johnny Cash , Glen Campbell , Elton John , John Denver , Dick Haymes , Bob Dylan , Elvis Presley , John Lennon and Paul M…” (Wikipedia)
• John Denver. The article names Denver among singers influenced by Crosby. “influenced many male singers who followed, such as Frank Sinatra , [ 6 ] Andy Williams , Perry Como , Dean Martin , Johnny Cash , Glen Campbell , Elton John , John Denver , Dick Haymes , Bob Dylan , Elvis Presley , John Lennon and Paul M…” (Wikipedia)
• Dick Haymes. The article names Haymes among singers influenced by Crosby. “influenced many male singers who followed, such as Frank Sinatra , [ 6 ] Andy Williams , Perry Como , Dean Martin , Johnny Cash , Glen Campbell , Elton John , John Denver , Dick Haymes , Bob Dylan , Elvis Presley , John Lennon and Paul M…” (Wikipedia)
• Bob Dylan. The article names Dylan among singers influenced by Crosby. “influenced many male singers who followed, such as Frank Sinatra , [ 6 ] Andy Williams , Perry Como , Dean Martin , Johnny Cash , Glen Campbell , Elton John , John Denver , Dick Haymes , Bob Dylan , Elvis Presley , John Lennon and Paul M…” (Wikipedia)
• Elvis Presley. The article names Presley among singers influenced by Crosby. “influenced many male singers who followed, such as Frank Sinatra , [ 6 ] Andy Williams , Perry Como , Dean Martin , Johnny Cash , Glen Campbell , Elton John , John Denver , Dick Haymes , Bob Dylan , Elvis Presley , John Lennon and Paul M…” (Wikipedia)
• John Lennon. The article names Lennon among singers influenced by Crosby. “influenced many male singers who followed, such as Frank Sinatra , [ 6 ] Andy Williams , Perry Como , Dean Martin , Johnny Cash , Glen Campbell , Elton John , John Denver , Dick Haymes , Bob Dylan , Elvis Presley , John Lennon and Paul M…” (Wikipedia)
• Paul McCartney (1942). The article names McCartney among singers influenced by Crosby. “influenced many male singers who followed, such as Frank Sinatra , [ 6 ] Andy Williams , Perry Como , Dean Martin , Johnny Cash , Glen Campbell , Elton John , John Denver , Dick Haymes , Bob Dylan , Elvis Presley , John Lennon and Paul M…” (Wikipedia)
• Kishore Kumar. The article identifies Kumar as a singer who emulated Crosby. “His popularity in India led many Hindu singers to imitate and emulate him, notably Kishore Kumar, considered the "Bing Crosby of India".” (Wikipedia)
• Love and Death. Zoglin reports Allen's comparison of the film's central pairing to Hope and Crosby. “That was Woody Allen's character in Sleeper (1973) and Love and Death (1975). He always said that he and Diane Keaton in those films were basically like Hope and Crosby” (Wikipedia)
• Stardust by Willie Nelson (1978). Stardust (Willie Nelson) — legacy for Bing Crosby (musicbrainz.org)