Bing Crosby made intimacy possible on record, pioneering a relaxed, microphone-close croon that replaced vaudeville bombast with something warmer and more conversational. He dominated radio, film, and record sales for decades, and his 1942 recording of 'White Christmas' remains the best-selling single in history. He died in 1977, having essentially invented the modern pop vocal template that Sinatra, Como, and Martin all built careers on.

the sound in question

1942

White ChristmasBing Crosby