100 years ago this fall, Bing Crosby launched
his career from Spokane, Washington.

In October 1925, twenty-two year old Harry "Bing" Crosby, along with his pal, North Central High School graduate Alton "Al" Rinker, packed up their dreams and Bing's set of mail-order drums, and headed for Hollywood , fame and fortune.  The rest, as they say, is history.

​

Bing would become arguably the greatest entertainer in world history. In radio, his voice was welcomed into the homes of Americans during nearly 4,000 broadcasts. He recorded more records than any other performer, hitting #1 in sales 41 times. His version of "White Christmas" is still the largest selling single of all time. He starred in more than 80 films, earning three Academy Award nominations and one Best Actor Oscar.  Bing started his own production company, which produced TV's "Hogan's Heroes" and "Ben Casey", and movies "High Society" and "Walking Tall".

​

And it all started, with humble beginnings, in a middle class family in little Spokane, Washington.

​​

This month, the Bing Crosby Advocates invite you to join us to celebrate this milestone for Spokane's favorite son.

​

Upcoming Dates​

 

Here's what's going on . . . some of the times are still being worked out.

​

October 10: 

• The unveiling of an historic marker at The Symons Building, at the corner of Howard and Sprague. The Symons played a big role in the earliest days of radio. Bing was known to have performed live on radio broadcast from the 2nd floor of the Symons Building.

• Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown will read a proclamation designating the day as "Bing's Day". Mayor Brown will also unveil new signage designating a section of West Sprague as "Historic Bing Crosby Way".

 

October 11: 

• Author Lauren Harris will introduce her new children's book, Bing Himself:  The Story of Bing Crosby, The World’s First Multimedia Star, illustrated by Joe Everson

• 1:00 Gonzaga Presents: Bing Crosby's Road to Hollywood, at the Magnuson Theater

• 2:00 Reenactment of when Bing and Al loaded up their 1916 Model T Ford and headed to Los Angeles via Seattle

​

October 25:

• "Bing's Spokane Has Jazz", featuring MasterClass Big Band, Zonky Jazz Band, and Phil Crosby, Jr at the Bing Crosby Theater (tickets go on sale soon)

 

October 31:

• "High Society" at the Fox (tickets go on sale soon)

 

December 6: 

• Bing Crosby Holiday Festival, featuring "White Christmas" North Central High School's Jazz Band, and a showing of the 1957 "Ford Edsel Show" (tickets go on sale soon)

​

STAY TUNED FOR MORE!

​