As a 43 year old veteran, and a musician, I sat in my chair and wept when I read the excerpt from the commander. I watched many soldiers forget where they were when they listened to music. The commander’s letter was as true a statement then as it was when I was in Iraq in 2003.
My wife asked my why I was crying and I said I had read and excerpt of a letter from a military commander to Bing Crosby. She did not understand. I am glad that she does not. I also hope that my children never understand as well.
Thank you for posting this. It brought some much needed joy to my heart.
When Bing was recording and the musicians were paid by the hour, Bing would say to the producers that he would like to go over it again, and go into a new hour, but after a few minutes say that he was happy, give the guys a wink, and dismiss them for the day.
To add to the point in the Ampex story about Bing's advanced understanding of the value of recording technology. He also invested in the early kinoscopes used to record television programs prior to the development of video tape. Just as he purchased those expensive early Ampex machines, he purchased his own kinoscope machine. Bing was a minority owner of the Pittsburgh Pirates, and recorded for his own use the 1960 World Series because he was going to be out of the country. After his death, his estate discovered he had the only recording of Game 7 one of the most exciting games in baseball history, where the lead shifted back and forth until Bill Mazeroski won it with a walk-off home run in the 10th. MLB Network turned the first public playing of Crosby's tape into a major event, including many of the surviving players and Robert Clemente's widow
For anyone not familiar with Bing, I would recommend they watch three of his movies - Holiday Inn, Going My Way, and High Society. They showcase his acting chops, dramatic and comic; his incredible musicianship (all the Berlin songs from H.I., Cole Porter tunes from High Society), and his brilliant partnering with great talents - Fred Astaire, Barry Fitgerald, Frank Sinatra, Grace Kelley, etc.). I've never seen a movie or TV show of his that I didn't enjoy. I love his quote about Sinatra: "Frank is a singer who comes along once in a lifetime, but why did he have to come in mine?" As far as 20th century popular music, there's Bing, then Frank, then everyone else. And I grew up with the Beatles and Stones. I love rock and roll, but Crosby and Sinatra had better songwriters.
Crosby made it all look so easy and effortless but that wasn't because he was particularly casual or undisciplined in the way he approached his work. His timing was well-rehearsed, even when slightly ahead or behind. A lot of times when engaging in witty banter it looks like he's just being himself but that's an illusion- it's pure performance art.
Don't believe me? Try repeating the lines Bing recites in "Well Did You Evah" from High Society when chatting with Sinatra in the intro. Not only do you realize how efficient his delivery is but each syllable is delivered with perfect intonation and emphasis. It's really hard to do this in an entertaining way and yet he fools us all with seeming like he's doing absolutely nothing... just having a smoke and reading a magazine.
These are great anecdotes. I actually saw Hope and Crosby perform. It was at the opening of Madison Square Garden, when they were part of an all-star cast. But you notice that none of these accoldates mention Crosby's family life. He was very devoted to his wife, Dixie, but was appalled that none of their sons turned out too well. When Dixie died, he marriated again, and devoted himself to become a better father the second time around. This is chronicled in a biography, "The Hollow Man." But, hey, none of us are perfect. If people want to diss me, all they need do is to look at my former marriage and the way it ended.
1: Yes, yes--but please, a column on Mungo Jerry. That "disputed" can't just be tossed out there and left alone.
2: The thought and insight evident in the Army commander's assessment of Bing's affect on the troops, and the moral hazard they faced on a daily basis is quite striking.
3: Ampex: how can there be no mention of Les Paul in this anecdote? To hear Les tell it, he was the prime mover in getting the tape recorder before Bing. Of course, in Les' telling, he's the prime mover in *whatever* he's talking about.
I think those "cool cats" who were trying to f with Der Bingle didn't know with whom they were dealing. He knew his jazz from way back in the day and had a tremendous sense of harmonic structure.
My Dad was a WW2 vet and always loved Bing. Being young in the 1960’s with Rock and Roll firmly entrenched, I never really got Bing’s full influences. Thanks for the perspective Ted.
His last public performance was at the Brighton Centre in the UK. A few days after which he flew to Spain, I believe, for that golf game. I was born and raised in Brighton and I remember him being the first to play at the newly opened performance space - much being made of the similar initials... often wondered if that's why he was asked... BC opens the BC!
Sad to hear you say that some of your subscribers might not know the name - damn, I hate that aspect of the passage of time.
How lovely to read this just now, as I am at home with my parents in Elko, Nevada for the holidays. Bing was somehow friends with our Mayor Dotta back in the day, and came to this little cow and mining town more than once that I know of. He was made an "honorary mayor" by Mayor Dotta, and the two had a great time going around town in matching denim suits, which are now held in the museum collection. His stardom was apparently at home amongst more humble working people, and by all accounts Elko was a place to be a regular fellow from time to time. I always think of him as Mayor Crosby, thus.
More great insights and observations, Ted. Excellent column. I actually did a phone interview with Bing in 1976 when I was the editor of my college newspaper, the UWM Post of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Of course, I've seen everything, collected much, including several bootlegs and Philco Radio Broadcasts. But my Crosby obsession pales in comparison to Bing fans like the great Jay Diamond and bandleader Vince Giordano. Long live Bing!
As a 43 year old veteran, and a musician, I sat in my chair and wept when I read the excerpt from the commander. I watched many soldiers forget where they were when they listened to music. The commander’s letter was as true a statement then as it was when I was in Iraq in 2003.
My wife asked my why I was crying and I said I had read and excerpt of a letter from a military commander to Bing Crosby. She did not understand. I am glad that she does not. I also hope that my children never understand as well.
Thank you for posting this. It brought some much needed joy to my heart.
When Bing was recording and the musicians were paid by the hour, Bing would say to the producers that he would like to go over it again, and go into a new hour, but after a few minutes say that he was happy, give the guys a wink, and dismiss them for the day.
To add to the point in the Ampex story about Bing's advanced understanding of the value of recording technology. He also invested in the early kinoscopes used to record television programs prior to the development of video tape. Just as he purchased those expensive early Ampex machines, he purchased his own kinoscope machine. Bing was a minority owner of the Pittsburgh Pirates, and recorded for his own use the 1960 World Series because he was going to be out of the country. After his death, his estate discovered he had the only recording of Game 7 one of the most exciting games in baseball history, where the lead shifted back and forth until Bill Mazeroski won it with a walk-off home run in the 10th. MLB Network turned the first public playing of Crosby's tape into a major event, including many of the surviving players and Robert Clemente's widow
Ampex was first job of Nolan Bushnell - who started Atari while working there. So the Silicon Valley analogy truly is apt.
Crosby also recorded a reading of the Gospel account of Christmas for a small Catholic publisher. Spine-tingling stuff for us believers ....
For anyone not familiar with Bing, I would recommend they watch three of his movies - Holiday Inn, Going My Way, and High Society. They showcase his acting chops, dramatic and comic; his incredible musicianship (all the Berlin songs from H.I., Cole Porter tunes from High Society), and his brilliant partnering with great talents - Fred Astaire, Barry Fitgerald, Frank Sinatra, Grace Kelley, etc.). I've never seen a movie or TV show of his that I didn't enjoy. I love his quote about Sinatra: "Frank is a singer who comes along once in a lifetime, but why did he have to come in mine?" As far as 20th century popular music, there's Bing, then Frank, then everyone else. And I grew up with the Beatles and Stones. I love rock and roll, but Crosby and Sinatra had better songwriters.
Crosby made it all look so easy and effortless but that wasn't because he was particularly casual or undisciplined in the way he approached his work. His timing was well-rehearsed, even when slightly ahead or behind. A lot of times when engaging in witty banter it looks like he's just being himself but that's an illusion- it's pure performance art.
Don't believe me? Try repeating the lines Bing recites in "Well Did You Evah" from High Society when chatting with Sinatra in the intro. Not only do you realize how efficient his delivery is but each syllable is delivered with perfect intonation and emphasis. It's really hard to do this in an entertaining way and yet he fools us all with seeming like he's doing absolutely nothing... just having a smoke and reading a magazine.
I'm not sure where I read this, but he was also responsible for bringing tequila into this country. Cheers to that
These are great anecdotes. I actually saw Hope and Crosby perform. It was at the opening of Madison Square Garden, when they were part of an all-star cast. But you notice that none of these accoldates mention Crosby's family life. He was very devoted to his wife, Dixie, but was appalled that none of their sons turned out too well. When Dixie died, he marriated again, and devoted himself to become a better father the second time around. This is chronicled in a biography, "The Hollow Man." But, hey, none of us are perfect. If people want to diss me, all they need do is to look at my former marriage and the way it ended.
1: Yes, yes--but please, a column on Mungo Jerry. That "disputed" can't just be tossed out there and left alone.
2: The thought and insight evident in the Army commander's assessment of Bing's affect on the troops, and the moral hazard they faced on a daily basis is quite striking.
3: Ampex: how can there be no mention of Les Paul in this anecdote? To hear Les tell it, he was the prime mover in getting the tape recorder before Bing. Of course, in Les' telling, he's the prime mover in *whatever* he's talking about.
I think those "cool cats" who were trying to f with Der Bingle didn't know with whom they were dealing. He knew his jazz from way back in the day and had a tremendous sense of harmonic structure.
My Dad was a WW2 vet and always loved Bing. Being young in the 1960’s with Rock and Roll firmly entrenched, I never really got Bing’s full influences. Thanks for the perspective Ted.
His last public performance was at the Brighton Centre in the UK. A few days after which he flew to Spain, I believe, for that golf game. I was born and raised in Brighton and I remember him being the first to play at the newly opened performance space - much being made of the similar initials... often wondered if that's why he was asked... BC opens the BC!
Sad to hear you say that some of your subscribers might not know the name - damn, I hate that aspect of the passage of time.
The Giddens biography is a fabulous read.
How lovely to read this just now, as I am at home with my parents in Elko, Nevada for the holidays. Bing was somehow friends with our Mayor Dotta back in the day, and came to this little cow and mining town more than once that I know of. He was made an "honorary mayor" by Mayor Dotta, and the two had a great time going around town in matching denim suits, which are now held in the museum collection. His stardom was apparently at home amongst more humble working people, and by all accounts Elko was a place to be a regular fellow from time to time. I always think of him as Mayor Crosby, thus.
Lovely piece, Ted. Really captures the spirit of the season. Thank you. Happy Holidays to you and yours.
More great insights and observations, Ted. Excellent column. I actually did a phone interview with Bing in 1976 when I was the editor of my college newspaper, the UWM Post of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Of course, I've seen everything, collected much, including several bootlegs and Philco Radio Broadcasts. But my Crosby obsession pales in comparison to Bing fans like the great Jay Diamond and bandleader Vince Giordano. Long live Bing!