Bob Crosby

 ( 1913 Births ) 

In the spring of 1940, during a performance in Chicago, teenager Doris Day was hired as the band's vocalist. The encyclopedia of big band, lounge, classic jazz and space-age sound

For its theme song, the band chose George Gershwin's song "Summertime." The band's hits included "South Rampart Street Parade," "March of the Bob Cats," "In a Little Gypsy Tea Room," "Whispers in the Dark," "Day In, Day Out," "Down Argentine Way," "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby," "Dolores," and "New San Antonio Rose." A bass-and-drums duet between Haggart and Bauduc, "Big Noise from Winnetka," became a hit in 1938–39.

There were reunions in the 1950s and 1960s. During that time there was a revival of interest in big band jazz, and Crosby worked for Disney studios and toured the midwest. Biography of Bob Crosby, Bob Crosby papers, 8220, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

Bob Haggart and Yank Lawson organized a band that combined dixieland and swing to try to carry on the legacy of Bob Crosby. From the late 1960s until the mid-1970s, the band was known as the World's Greatest Jazz Band, but when both became dissatisfied with the name they changed it to the Lawson-Haggart Jazz Band.

On September 14, 1952, he replaced Phil Harris as the bandleader on The Jack Benny Program, remaining until Benny retired the weekly radio show in May 1955 after 23 years. In joining the show, he became the leader of the same group of musicians who had played under Harris. According to Benny writer Milt Josefsberg, Crosby was hired for budget reasons. Because of strong competition from TV, the radio program budget had to be reduced, and so Bob replaced Phil. Prior to joining Benny on the radio, Crosby, who was based on the east coast, would often play with Benny during Benny's live New York appearances, and he was seen frequently throughout the 1950s on Benny's television series.

As a performer, Crosby had tremendous charisma and wit combined with a laid-back persona. He was able to swap jokes competently with Benny, including humorous references to his brother Bing's wealth and his string of losing racehorses. An exchange during one of the popular Christmas programs ran thus: Crosby muses to Jack that he's bought gifts for everyone but band member Frank Remley. When Jack suggests "a cordial, like a bottle of Drambuie," Crosby counters that Drambuie is an after-dinner drink and adds, alluding to Remley's penchant for alcohol, that "Remley never quite makes it to after dinner."