Al Rinker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Al Rinker
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Alton Rinker |
| Born | December 20, 1907 Tekoa, Washington, U.S. |
| Died | June 11, 1982 (aged 74) Burbank, California |
| Genres | popular music |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, composer |
| Instruments | Piano |
| Associated acts | Bing Crosby, The Rhythm Boys, Paul Whiteman, Harry Barris |
Al Rinker (born December 20, 1907 – died June 11, 1982) was an American musician. He started his music career as a teenager. In the early 1920s, he performed with Bing Crosby in Spokane, Washington. In 1925, Al and Bing moved to Los Angeles. There, they formed a singing group called Rhythm Boys with Harry Barris.
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Al Rinker's Music Career
Al Rinker was a talented singer and composer. He was best known for being part of the singing group The Rhythm Boys. This group included Al, Bing Crosby, and Harry Barris. Harry Barris wrote some popular songs for the group. These included "Mississippi Mud" and "I Surrender, Dear".
The Rhythm Boys and Paul Whiteman
The Rhythm Boys sang with Paul Whiteman's Big Band for three years. Paul Whiteman led a very famous orchestra at the time. After working with Whiteman, the group performed on their own for a year. Later, Bing Crosby decided to start a solo career. This led to the group breaking up.
Movies and Reunions
The Rhythm Boys appeared in the movie King of Jazz (1930). In the film, they sang songs like "Mississippi Mud" and "A Bench in the Park". Even after they broke up, the Rhythm Boys reunited once. They performed together on a radio show called Paul Whiteman Presents in 1943.
Al Rinker as a Songwriter
Al Rinker also wrote music for movies. He wrote the song "You Can't Do Wrong Doin' Right". This song appeared in films like Push-Button Kitty (1952) and The Affairs of Dobie Gillis (1952). It was also in the 1950 movie Duchess Of Idaho.
One of his most famous songs for kids is "Everybody Wants to Be a Cat". He wrote this song with Floyd Huddleston. It was featured in the popular Disney animated movie The Aristocats (1970).
Early Life and Family
Al Rinker was born in Tekoa, Washington. His mother, Josephine, was a member of the Coeur d'Alene Tribe. She was also a devout Roman Catholic. Al and his brothers and sisters grew up on the Coeur d'Alene Reservation. This reservation is near De Smet, Idaho.
Al's father, Charles, played the fiddle. He also called out dances for square dancing. His mother played the piano every evening. Al's younger brother, Charles Rinker, became a lyricist. He often worked with the composer Gene de Paul. Al Rinker married Elizabeth Neuberger on October 25, 1938.
Mildred Bailey, Al's Sister
Al's older sister, Mildred, was also a musician. She became known as Mildred Bailey. She started her music career in Los Angeles before Al and Bing Crosby became famous. The Rhythm Boys helped Mildred get discovered by Paul Whiteman. He hired her to sing with his band. For a time, Mildred Bailey was known as "Mrs. Swing."
