The Rhythm Boys

The Rhythm Boys
Left to right: Harry Barris, Bing Crosby, and Al Rinker
Left to right: Harry Barris, Bing Crosby, and Al Rinker
Background information
OriginNew York City, New York, U.S.
GenresPopular
Years active1927–1930
LabelsVictor, Columbia Records
Members

The Rhythm Boys were an American male singing trio consisting of Bing Crosby, Harry Barris and Al Rinker. Crosby and Rinker began performing together in 1925 and were recruited by Paul Whiteman in late 1926. Pianist/singer/songwriter Barris joined the team in 1927. They made a number of recordings with the Whiteman Orchestra and released singles in their own right with Barris on piano. They appeared with the Whiteman orchestra in the film King of Jazz (Universal Pictures, 1930), in which they sang "Mississippi Mud", "So the Bluebirds and the Blackbirds Got Together", "A Bench in the Park", and "Happy Feet". They are best remembered for launching Crosby's solo career, one that would make him the greatest song charting act in history and one of the most influential entertainers of the twentieth century.