Music

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The Greatest Crooners of All Time

Updated July 13, 2020 36.9k votes 4.5k voters 89.8k views66 items

Who are the greatest crooners of all time? This list of crooners includes many of the greatest male singers ever, in any genre, and there are some modern day, popular crooners included as well. Put simply, a crooner is a singer, typically male, who sings softly, slowly, and, often, sentimentally. Some of the best crooners of all time were masters of jazz standards. Crooning certainly emphasizes strong vocals.

Picture a huge, smoky ballroom full of people swaying to the music, as crooner singers stand on the stage, serenading them with the standards – many with themes of lost love, found love and other heartfelt sentiments. Romantic? You bet. “Croon” does rhyme with “swoon,” after all. If you’re a fan, you’ll likely find your favorite crooners listed here – but you may also find some new favorites to check out.

Back in the day - and by “day” this means the 1930s, '40s, and '50s, good crooners were a staple of popular music. By the mid-1960s, crooning had lost a bit of its luster. It is by no means dead, however. While many of the top crooners are no longer with us (Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Dean Martin), some still are: Tony Bennett still tours, as does Johnny Mathis. And there are plenty of new modern-era crooners available for you to discover. Harry Connick, Jr., Michael Buble, and Michael Feinstein are all contemporary crooners, putting their own, unique spin on the classics.

Are these the greatest crooners ever? You decide, with your votes. Vote for the best crooners of all time, and let’s see who comes out on top.

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Sammy Davis, Jr.
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Birthplace: Harlem, New York City, New York, United States of America
Nationality: United States of America
2
1,133
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Nat King Cole
Dec. at 46 (1919-1965)
Birthplace: Montgomery, Alabama
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3
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Frank Sinatra
Dec. at 83 (1915-1998)
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George Michael
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Vic Damone
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Louis Armstrong
Dec. at 70 (1901-1971)
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Mel Tormé
Dec. at 74 (1925-1999)
Birthplace: USA, Chicago, Illinois
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Ricky Nelson
Dec. at 45 (1940-1985)
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Ray Charles
Dec. at 74 (1930-2004)
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Robert Goulet
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Harry Belafonte
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Jerry Vale
Dec. at 84 (1930-2014)
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Harry Connick, Jr.
Age: 53
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