Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby (May 3, 1903 - October 14, 1977) was an American singer and actor. His singing career was around fifty years long and more than 1 billion records of his have been sold worldwide. Crosby is known for creating the style of music that Perry Como, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin , Elvis Presley, John Lennon would later copy. Crosby said that he was inspired by Al Jolson.