Bob Manning; Singer With Big Bands

Bob Manning, 71, a singer from the Big Band era who recorded for Capitol Records. His work was recently reissued on the Capitol CD “Great Gentlemen of Song.” Manning sang with the Ziggy Elman Band, the Art Mooney Orchestra and Tommy Dorsey. His recording career began after he was discovered on “Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts.” He became famous in 1953 for what many consider the definitive recording of “The Nearness of You.” Downbeat, Metronome, Billboard, Cash Box and Variety magazines all named him a promising new male vocalist after that hit. Manning was also known for such singles as “All I Desire,” “Venus de Milo” and “Alone Together” and the albums “Lonely Spell” and “Our Wedding Songs.” On Thursday in Los Angeles of complications from pneumonia.