Harry Barris
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Harry Barris (November 24, 1905 – December 13, 1962) was an American popular singer.
Born in New York City, he was a member of the Rhythm Boys, an early 1930s singing trio which included Al Rinker and Bing Crosby, and was Crosby's entry into show business. The group sang several songs in the Paul Whiteman Orchestra film King of Jazz (1930) and recorded both with Whiteman and on their own with Barris on piano.
Barris appeared in 57 films between 1931 and 1950, usually as the pianist during party sequences, and composed songs including "Mississippi Mud", "I Surrender Dear", and "Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams". His songwriters Rinker and Barris also carved out careers on their own as well.
Barris was the uncle of game show host and producer Chuck Barris who, among other things, not only co-created and hosted The Gong Show in the second half of the 1970's but was also the subject of the George Clooney film Confessions of a Dangerous Mind.
[edit] Sources
- Donald Shepherd and Robert F. Slatzer, Bing Crosby: The Hollow Man, (New York: St. Martin's Press, 1981) ISBN 13: 978-0523421643
