Rudy Vallee - the first crooner?

There have been bigger names in the crooning business (Crosby, Sinatra), but the first one to garner national stature was Rudy Vallee. And in his day, it was said, he was the first teenage heartthrob, coming along just at the time when radio began to be the prevalent mass medium. He was a huge draw in those days.

HERE is a link to a recording from 1930 of Vallee singing with his band.

HERE is more about Rudy Vallee.