Crooner
From Freepedia
A crooner is a singer (usually male) of a certain kind of popular music, often called "standards" or "American standards". The style, which is characterized by a relaxed and intimate posture by the performer, became possible with the invention of electric amplification in the early 20th century. Prior to the introduction of this technology, in order for a singer to be heard in a large venue, he or she had to be able to project the voice a substantial distance. This skill usually required extensive formal voice training. Singers of the pre-electronic-amplification era are characterized by powerful, professionally trained voices. However, with amplification, singers who did not possess powerful, trained voices could aspire to become popular performers. Crooning became one of the early styles made possible by these circumstances. Indeed, this form of music dominated popular American music from the 1940s to the 1960s. After that time, popular music became dominated by other styles, such as rock 'n' roll. However, crooners have not completely disappeared, with contemporary performers such as Harry Connick Jr., and Michael Bublé keeping the form alive. While both male and female singers sang in this style, the label "crooner" is rarely used to describe a female singer.
List of famous crooners
- Paul Anka
- Eddy Arnold
- Bobby Bare
- Tony Bennett
- Brook Benton
- Pat Boone
- Michael Bublé
- Nat King Cole
- Buddy Clark
- Russ Columbo
- Perry Como
- Harry Connick Jr.
- Eddie Constantine
- Bing Crosby
- Bobby Curtola
- Vic Damone
- Bobby Darin
- Sammy Davis, Jr.
- Dion
- Dave Dudley
- Eddie Fisher
- Sergio Franchi
- John Gary
- Buddy Greco
- Dick Haymes
- Sonny James
- Jack Jones
- Joseph Kobzon
- Steve Lawrence
- Barry Manilow
- Dean Martin
- Al Martino
- Johnny Mathis
- Roger Miller
- Matt Monro
- Jim Nabors
- Ricky Nelson
- Les Paul
- Webb Pierce
- Ray Price
- Charley Pride
- Leon Redbone
- Jim Reeves
- Charlie Rich
- Marty Robbins
- Jimmy Rodgers
- Roy Rogers
- Jack Scott
- Neil Sedaka
- Jack Sheldon
- Frank Sinatra
- Mel Tillis
- Bobby Troup
- Valdy
- Jerry Vale
- Rudy Vallee
- Frankie Valli
- Luther Vandross
- Bobby Vee
- Bobby Vinton
- Jerry Wallace
- Slim Whitman
- Andy Williams



