No musician has conquered the entertainment industry quite like the legendary Bing Crosby. From singer to actor to radio and film star, Crosby transformed the Great Depression era into an unforgettable and exciting combination of technology and jazz. With his deep, crooning voice and a microphone as an instrument, Crosby's ingenious mix of jazz, pop, and classical music landed him a permanent spot in every American household, not just spanning the early 20th century but across the years and generations.Crosby's musical career began in his college years, when he was invited to play drums and sing in Al Rinker's group, the Musicaladers. After college, Crosby and Rinker moved to Los Angeles, where they were hired by Paul Whiteman as the Rhythm Boys. Crosby started his solo career with Brunswick Records in 1931 and produced several hit songs that year, also beginning the momentum for his great success to follow.Despite crossing over into radio shows like NBC's Kraft Music Hall and appearing in several films from the 1930s through the 1960s, Crosby's musical career continued to blossom phenomenally, his hit songs topping the charts regularly during this time. The biggest hit of his career came in 1941 with "White Christmas," which debuted on his radio show Christmas Day that year. "White Christmas," at the time the biggest-selling single of all time, made the American pop charts every year but one between 1942 and 1962.A beacon for hope in the World War II era (especially with songs like "I'll Be Home for Christmas"), Bing Crosby used his radio personality and soothing voice to win over America. Many of his hit songs like "I Found a Million-Dollar Baby," "June in January," and "Now Is the Hour" remain in the hearts of generations of Americans, and his unprecedented musical style has changed American culture indefinitely.