Harry Lillis Crosby was born on May 3, 1903 in Tacoma Washington and died October 14, 1977. Bing was very successful as a movie star as well as a singing star, starring in many motion pictures, and selling millions of records. Just as Bing was beginning his recording career, there were technical advances in microphones and recording equipment making it possible for the first time to sing in a soft, casual laid back way, instead of 'belting out' the music as one would need to do in a large auditorium. In 1926 famous bandleader Paul Whiteman heard Bing sing with Al Rinker in Los Angeles and offered them a singing job with his band that became a trio known as the Rhythm Boys. Bing soon became the star of the show, but by 1931 the two other 'Rhythm Boys' were unhappy with Bing being the star and they separated from him, allowing him to start his solo career. During WWII Bing was active in visiting and singing for the troops, and in 1948 he was declared 'the most admired man alive.' In 1948 Bing invested $50,000 in a new company named Ampex, which created the first commercial reel to reel tape recorder. He gave one of the first machines to Cleveland Ohio guitarist Les Paul, who created the first multi track recording machine from it.