As jazz ushered in the 1920s, another musical genre appeared on the horizon. The introduction of an innovative amplification device called a “microphone” allowed a softer, more melodic voice to grace the stages of theaters and concert halls. Deep in the diaphragm belts, like Al Jolson, they now had competition from whispering ballads “singers,” who, before the age of the microphone, couldn’t be heard from more than a few feet away.

The American public welcomed the soft-spoken singers with open hearts and open ears. These touted “singers” would change the face of music and lay the foundation for modern American music as we know it today.

Although the list of early singers is long, some of the most prominent notables include: Rudy Vallée, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Nat King Cole and Sammy Davis Jr. On the coattails of these legends were artists like Tony Bennett , Andy Williams, Perry Como, Tom Jones and Englebert Humperdinck. By the time these balladeers arrived on the scene, the term “singers” was declining as a descriptive term for the soft sentimental sound. By the late 1950s and early 1960s, this type of music was increasingly being labeled “easy listening.”

Rock and roll officially entered the music scene in the late 1950s with legends like Bill Haley, Fats Domino, and Elvis Presley. Although a very different style, rock music derives much of its roots from the singers of the 1930s, ’40s, and ’50s.

The personality of male singers changed with the advent of “crooners”. Men could now sing about being lovesick, a puppet, head over heels in love, and even excited for a woman. The tough man exterior was fading and women were swooning over these seemingly more sensitive vocalists.

The so-called pioneer of crooners, Rudy Vallée, enjoyed a multifaceted career in radio, film and television. One of his most famous hits, “As Time Goes By” was from the classic American movie “Casablanca.” Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. also became big box office draws in theaters. Some of these leading men became bigger screen stars than recording artists.

In the early 1960s, with the “crooner” style of singing still going strong, some new voices emerged. Andy Williams, Tony Bennett and Perry Como were now on the scene. Las Vegas became the main hotspot for these acts to perform and they were all over TV with specials and weekly shows. In the late 1960s, we saw the torch pass for a new group of more modern singers with the appearance of Tom Jones and Englebert Humperdinck. Suits and ties were being replaced by leather and sideburns, but the music was still pretty much true to form. A little more rock and pop entered the mix with these newcomers. However, they continued to thrill their female fan base with love songs that prompted the girls to offer their underwear to the singers right there on stage.

With the appearance of the first singers in the late 1920s, this style of music spanned several decades with some changes over time. From the late 1980s to the present day, we saw a resurgence of the original singers offering themselves to a new generation. Artists like Harry Connick Jr., Michael Bublé, and Michael Feinstein have brought back more of the original singing style. Even in his attire we see more of the ’30s and ’40s type of crooner resurfacing.

Although each artist brings their own unique style to the table, the musical standard most singers follow is that of great american songbook. Tea great american songbook it incorporates Broadway musical theater as well as the Hollywood musical style of the late 1920s.

It seems that singing is here to stay. Whether it’s called easy listening or adult contemporary, the style or technique is alive and well. People want the soft, sentimental love songs of old. It appeals to something innate in our deepest desire to express pain or joy when it comes to love.

Thanks to a monumental technological advance, the microphone, singing is alive and well. So pass the mic on to a new generation, it’s time to sing along!