Alton Markwood "Al" Rinker was born on December 20, 1907, in Tekoa, Washington. He grew up on the Coeur d'Alene Reservation near De Smet, Idaho, in a musically inclined family. His mother, Josephine, was a member of the Coeur d'Alene Tribe and a devout Roman Catholic, while his father, Charles, played the fiddle and called square dances. Al's musical journey began in his teenage years when he performed with Bing Crosby in Spokane, Washington, during the early 1920s. The duo moved to Los Angeles in 1925, where they formed the Rhythm Boys trio with Harry Barris.

The Rhythm Boys gained prominence performing with Paul Whiteman's Big Band and appeared in the 1930 film "King of Jazz." The group eventually parted ways when Crosby embarked on a solo career. Rinker continued his passion for music, pitching and producing the radio series "The Saturday Night Swing Club" for CBS Radio, which became a popular show featuring various jazz and swing musicians.

Rinker also composed music for films from the 1930s to the 1950s, including songs for "The Duchess Of Idaho" and Disney's "The Aristocats." He married Elizabeth Neuberger in 1938 and had a daughter, Julie Rinker, who became known for her work on "The Dean Martin Show" and as the voice of the "Three's Company" theme song.

Al Rinker passed away on June 11, 1982, in Burbank, California, leaving behind a legacy as a talented musician and composer who played a significant role in the early career of Bing Crosby and the development of popular music.