Gus Arnheim at Cocoanut Grove

After leaving the Whiteman Orchestra in May of 1930 the Rhythm Boys began singing with the Gus Arnheim band at the Cocoanut Grove in the Ambassador Hotel on Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles. Arnheim began pushing Bing to the forefront as a soloist, and on Jan. 19, 1931, Bing recorded what was to become his first credited solo hit, I Surrender Dear, written by Harry Barris and backed by the Arnheim Orchestra. The Grove had its own broadcast equipment, and Bing's voice could be heard throughout California. Increasingly crowds came to the Grove to hear Bing solo, and the Rhythm Boys as a group receded to the background. As Bing's solo career began to rise, he began skipping performances at the Grove, and this behavior led the manager to dock his pay. Crosby walked out in protest, and took the Rhythm Boys with him. The manager persuaded the local musicians' union to ban the trio for breach of contract, and the Rhythm Boys dissolved.

Neither of Bing's Rhythm Boys colleagues attained the fame and riches that befell the chosen one, Bing. After the Rhythm Boys broke up in May 1931, Bing attempted to get Al and Harry parts in his short films with Mack Sennett. But Al and Harry chose to go separate ways. Eventually Rinker took a job at CBS producing musical programs for radio. Harry formed a new trio called the Ambassadors, which played at the Cocoanut Grove. Harry married vocalist Loyce Whiteman (no relation to Paul) and they toured the country as a duo. Barris talent as a songwriter provided Bing his first solo hit song, "I Surrender Dear," as well as "It Must Be True" and “Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams.” Bing returned the favor by securing parts for Barris in 7 of his films. But Mr. Booze eventually put an end to Barris' marriage and musical career. In his final years he lived off his song-writing royalties and the generosity of Bing Crosby.

The Rhythm Boys reunited only one more time, July 4, 1943, on an NBC radio broadcast hosted by Paul Whiteman, "Paul Whiteman Presents."
Listen to an excerpt from this program.


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