Bob Hope

Bob Hope was born Leslie Townes Hope in 1903 and started in vaudeville, where he developed both his comedy and his singing. In 1942, he released 'It's Been a Long, Long Time,' which became a hit with troops overseas. The song's lyrics about waiting and reunion seemed to speak directly to that moment.

He recorded other songs that stuck around, like 'Thanks for the Memory' from 1938 and 'Buttons and Bows' from 1948. His voice wasn't a powerhouse instrument, but it had a friendly, conversational quality that worked for the material. People knew him first as a comedian and film star, but the music was part of the package.

During World War II, his USO tours and generally upbeat presence made him a symbol of home for many soldiers. That same cheerfulness sometimes drew criticism from people who felt it ignored the war's grim reality. Later, his public friendship with politicians like Richard Nixon created its own controversies, separate from the music.