Crosby gets town theatre honour

Crosby was an international star for over 40 years

Legendary entertainer Bing Crosby is to have the theatre where he performed as a youth renamed in his honour.

The recently refurbished Met Theater in downtown Spokane, Washington, will be renamed the Bing Crosby Theater at a public ceremony.

Crosby moved to the town when young and played with a band at the venue before moving to Hollywood.

Local historian Bill Stimson said: "This is where Bing Crosby learned his trade and became Bing Crosby."

'Known worldwide'

Crosby and his group, billed as the Musicaladers, performed as the house band between May and October 1925, playing between movies.

"That's where he spent five months practicing his act and was a big hit," Stimson added.

"Now we're stepping up and doing what we should have done long ago."

Stephanie Plowman, a librarian and curator of Crosby memorabilia at the town's Gonzaga University, said: "It is time for the city to recognize the fact that he is still known worldwide.

"While alive he put Spokane on the map and still does."