Swing-era band leader Bob Crosby, younger brother of the late crooner Bing Crosby, died of cancer Tuesday.He was 80.
Crosby moved two months ago from his home here to the nursing home where he died, said his son Kris Crosby."He was active and working right up to a year ago, when he got the cancer," Kris Crosby said. He said his father and some of his original band members played at concerts, balls and conventions until he fell ill.
Crosby led big bands from 1935 to 1942, and started a smaller band-within-the-band, the Bob Cats, during that time. He sang but played no instrument.
The Bob Cats hit records included "Big Noise That Blew In From Winnetka" "South Rampart Street Parade" and "March of the Bobcats."
The youngest of five Crosby sons, he was born in Spokane, Wash., and attended Gonzaga University in Washington state.
Orchestra leader Anson Weeks gave Crosby his first job, and in 1935 he was approached by 11 New York musicians to serve as their bandleader. It was the start of the Bob Crosby Orchestra.