Crooner extraordinaire Bing Crosby was born Harry Lillis Crosby, Jr., 113 years ago today in Tacoma, Washington. He’s remembered by many today as a mellow, pipe-smoking, cardigan-wearing grandfatherly figure, but one need only listen to his early recordings (which one can do by merely tuning to Cladrite Radio, don’t you know) to realize he could swing. That’s right, Bing Crosby was as cool in his day as Elvis Presley was in his; he had thirty-eight #1 singles, more than Presley or the Beatles!
On top of that, he appeared in more than 80 motion pictures, even winning the Best Actor in a Leading Role Oscar for Going My Way (1945).
Happy birthday, Der Bingle, wherever you may be!