Whiteman needed something different to break up his musical selections, and Crosby and Rinker filled this requirement. Bing Crosby married actress Kathryn Grant in 1957 and raised a second family. Some of the best moments in comedy came when a line was blown and the star had to rely on wit to rescue a bad situation. Sept. He was the number one box office attraction for five consecutive years, 1944 to 1948. These were his last words. After Crosby's death in 1977, he left the residue of his estate to a marital trust for the benefit of his widow, Kathryn, and HLC Properties, Ltd., was formed for the purpose of managing his interests, including his right of publicity. For the most part, she felt unchallenged as an actress and retired rather uneventfully after marrying Bing Crosby in 1957. This ad-lib way of working is commonplace in the recording studios today, but it was all new to us. During World War II, Crosby made live appearances before American troops who had been fighting in the European Theater. [66] Crosby charted 23 Billboard hits from 47 recorded songs with the Andrews Sisters, whose Decca record sales were second only to Crosby's throughout the 1940s. Daughter: Mary Frances September 14, 1959 [125] At about 6:30 pm, as Crosby and his party headed back to the clubhouse, Crosby said, "That was a great game of golf, fellas. Kathryn Grant and Bing Crosby were married for 19 years before Bing Crosby died, leaving behind his partner and 3 children. In all the files there is only one single reference to a person associated with the Mafia. His recording was so popular that he was obliged to re-record it in 1947 using the same musicians and backup singers; the original 1942 master had become damaged due to its frequent use in pressing additional singles. [83] Charles' son, Lindsay C. Howard, became one of Crosby's closest friends; Crosby named his son Lindsay after him, and would purchase his 40-room Hillsborough, California estate from Lindsay in 1965. Mar. He had 24 separate popular singles in 1939 alone. Are the holidays difficult for you? He loved safaris and loved being in the bush seeing the wild animals. [89] In 1978, he and Bob Hope were voted the Bob Jones Award, the highest honor given by the United States Golf Association in recognition of distinguished sportsmanship. Bing and Bob started off together in early vaudeville. [67], In 1962, Crosby was given the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Nathaniel, Mary and Harry with their parents Kathryn and Bing Crosby. They got enormous laughs, which just went on and on. "Entertaining Catholics: Bing Crosby, Religion and Cultural Pluralism in 1940s America. (1928), with Harry Barris and, "Ev'rything's Agreed Upon" (1930), with Harry Barris, "Believe Me" (1931), with James Cavanaugh and, "You Taught Me How to Love" (1931), with H. C. LeBlang and Don Herman, "My Woman" (1932), with Irving Wallman and Max Wartell, "Cutesie Pie" (1932), with Red Standex and, "I Was So Alone, Suddenly You Were There (1932), with, "Love Me Tonight" (1932), with Victor Young and Ned Washington, US, no. Hes the fourth of seven children. Born Wilma Wyatt, actress and singer Dixie Crosby married Bing Crosby in 1930. Kathryn Crosby says Bing was too scared to marry her because of the age difference/ pic:WENN.COM, We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. [2], Born Olive Kathryn Grandstaff in West Columbia, Texas, she graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1955. They joined the Gus Arnheim Orchestra, performing nightly in the Coconut Grove of the Ambassador Hotel. "Now You Has Jazz" in the film High Society (1956). Bing was married a second time to actress Kathryn Grant. Kathryn Crosby: He was shy, but not with me. Farben magnetic tape that Mullin had found at a radio station at Bad Nauheim near Frankfurt while working for the U.S. Army Signal Corps. We heart books. Hed had four kidney stones. [97], Crosby reportedly had an alcohol problem between the late 1920s and early 1930s, but he got a handle on his drinking in 1931. At first Bing objected to casting Grace in the role of his wife in the movie because he felt she was too glamorous for the part. Kathryn Crosby: I thought it was excellent. (2012). Dec. Nov. Dont Fence Me In w/ The Andrews Sisters reaches Number 1. I think there was some father-son stuff that everyone has. The scheduling could now be done at the star's convenience. Lets go on to the next scene. They had a wonderful time. as a young man in 1925, was renamed the Bing Crosby Theater on December 8, 2006. He had no place to have a valve, so they had to create a place for a valve, and he lived for ten more years. Journal of the Audio Engineering Society, 37 (6): 490496, 498, 500, 502, 504, 506, 508, 510, 512; June 1989. He had investments in real estate, mines, oil wells, cattle ranches, race horses, music publishing, baseball teams, and television. [54], During the early portion of his solo career (about 19311934), Crosby's emotional, often pleading style of crooning was popular. In the 1949 Disney animated film The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, Crosby provided the narration and song vocals for The Legend of Sleepy Hollow segment. June Bings autobiography, Call Me Lucky, is published. Since Bing Crosby's death in 1977, she has taken on a few smaller roles and the lead in the short-lived 1996 Broadway musical State Fair . Harry Crosby is an investment banker who occasionally makes singing appearances. p. 24. We heart you!!! He took Bob salmon fishing up in Canada once, and they had just pulled off to sea when Bob said, 'I have to go back in.' "Where the Blue of the Night (Meets the Gold of the Day)", with his trademark whistling, became his theme song and signature tune. [108], Crosby's younger son Phillip disputed his brother Gary's claims about their father. bing! Harry said, I wouldve killed to get to go with Louis Armstrong to Australia, which was an experience that Bing gave to Gary. He had four sons with his first wife Dixie Lee, who died at the age of 40 of cancer, and two sons and a daughter with his second wife, Kathryn. I came back to Austin and finished up my degree and took my Inquiry classes for six weeks. Crosby left the network and remained off the air for seven months, creating a legal battle with his sponsor Kraft that was settled out of court. [62] The single "White Christmas" sold over 50 million copies according to Guinness World Records. [98], In December 1999 the New York Post published an article by Bill Hoffmann and Murray Weiss called Bing Crosby's Single Life which claimed that "recently published" FBI files revealed connections with figures in the Mafia "since his youth". May Bing signs a two-year deal with Paramount, which calls for two pictures a year. Aug. A group of investors buys The Pittsburgh Pirates, Bing now has 25% of the syndicate. [10] At his screen apex in 1946, Crosby starred in three of the year's five highest-grossing films: The Bells of St. Mary's, Blue Skies and Road to Utopia. We did that, and then later on, Bing was hurt in a terrible accident at the Ambassador on his 50th anniversary show. Kathryn Crosby: Absolutely. More info. Together they had two sons and a daughter. He was already spending much time on the golf course while touring the country in a vaudeville act or with Paul Whiteman's orchestra in the mid to late 1920s. Born Olive Kathryn Grandstaff in West Columbia, Texas, she graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1955. The book was I think an attempt of my dad to come to grips with some things in his life. On August 12, 1938, the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club hosted a $25,000 winner-take-all match race won by Charles S. Howard's Seabiscuit over Binglin's horse Ligaroti. Major Support for American Masters provided by. I was reared a Baptist, and in high school, my aunt and uncle were Methodists, so I went to the Methodist Church, but then there were no Baptists on the west coast. Crosby has been associated with the Christmas season since Irving Berlin's musical film Holiday Inn, in which he starred and famously sang "White Christmas". Audio engineer Steve Hoffman stated, "By the way, Bing actually saved the record business in 1934 when he agreed to support Decca founder Jack Kapp's crazy idea of lowering the price of singles from a dollar to 35 cents and getting a royalty for records sold instead of a flat fee. He had lots of girlfriends, and he had lots of boyfriends, and he was always a very good friend. June Dixie has exploratory surgery, doctors discover terminal ovarian cancer. Kathryn Crosby: Actually my sister, who is four years older, and I are changing our birthdays this year to May because in May, the Crosby golf tournament takes place. She also appeared in the 1989 film adaptation of Stephen King's novel Pet Sematary. "The Salt Lake City Office has developed information indicating that Moe Dalitz received an invitation to join a deer hunting party at Bing Crosby's Elko, Nevada, ranch, together with the crooner, his Las Vegas dentist and several business associates." I still love you. The "telefilms" were syndicated to individual television stations. In 1977, after Crosby died, the song was re-released and reached No. [86] From 1946 until his death, he owned a 25% share of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Jan. Dinah with the Mills Brothers reaches Number 1. It was really a working place. Gary Crosby's adopted son, Steven Crosby, said in a 2003 interview: In the early years, I think, like any family you are going to butt heads with your mom, your dad and your brothers and sisters. The weather is so good, and were starting to decorate just about now. They were working in television, so I got to do a lot of short films. Then something happened. Later on, Bing asked me, Would you like to do this show with me in Las Vegas? Hed never done a show in Las Vegas. 4, "You're Just a Beautiful Melody of Love" (1932), lyrics by Bing Crosby, music by Babe Goldberg, "I Would If I Could But I Can't" (1933), with, "Where the Turf Meets the Surf" (1941) with. Well print that. He made a fortune from the Minute Maid Orange Juice Corporation, in which he was a principal stockholder.[73]. [51] In the framework of the novelty-singing style of the Rhythm Boys, he bent notes and added off-tune phrasing, an approach that was rooted in jazz. A nearby bridge carrying U.S. Route 158 over the Yadkin River is named for Kathryn Crosby. Dec. Film Exhibitors name Bing the top box office star of the year, the first of five consecutive years. The quartet's Top-10 Billboard hits from 1943 to 1945 include "The Vict'ry Polka", "There'll Be a Hot Time in the Town of Berlin (When the Yanks Go Marching In)", and "Is You Is or Is You Ain't (Ma' Baby?)" Oct. Anatomy of a Murder was written by Robert Traver, and he taught me how to fly fish on the river that was covered with bush on the sides. [82] In 1960, NAFI purchased KCOP from Crosby's group. Narrated by Stanley Tucci, the film features new interviews with all surviving members of Crosbys immediate family: wife Kathryn, daughter Mary and sons Harry and Nathaniel. [63] The International Motion Picture Almanac lists him in a tie for second-most years at number one on the All Time Number One Stars List with Clint Eastwood, Tom Hanks, and Burt Reynolds. In the mid-1970s, she hosted The Kathryn Crosby Show, a 30-minute local talk-show on KPIX-TV in San Francisco. One of the reasons Bing and I didnt get married one of the times was that Bing was watching carefully over Lindsay hoping hed get off to college. Bing asked, 'Why?' He took Bob salmon fishing up in Canada once, and they had just pulled off to sea when Bob said, I have to go back in. Bing asked, Why? Bob Said, Fish dont applaud. Bob and Bing spent an hour a day on the phone. From the mid-1950s, Bing was more comfortable in a bass range while maintaining a baritone quality, with the best octave being G to G, or even F to F. In a recording he made of 'Dardanella' with Louis Armstrong in 1960, he attacks lightly and easily on a low E flat. He matured as a performer and was in demand as a solo singer.[40]. The church was really very helpful at that time. The Fireside Theater (1950) was his first television production. 87 years (November 25, 1933) Kathryn Crosby/Age In 1960, he starred in High Time, a collegiate comedy with Fabian Forte and Tuesday Weld that predicted the emerging gap between him and the new younger generation of musicians and actors who had begun their careers after World War II. Then the children did it with me, and we had a good time. Mar. It topped the charts again in 1945 and a third time in January 1947. Oct. Ive Got a Pocketful of Dreams reaches Number 1on the charts and remains for four weeks. In the over 280 pages of Crosby's FBI files all but one reference to organized crime or gambling dens are content of a few of the many threats that Bing Crosby received throughout his life. [42] His recording of "White Christmas", has sold over 50 million copies around the world. The series of 26-minute shows was filmed at Hal Roach Studios rather than performed live on the air. Oct. 14 Bing Crosby dies of heart attack after a good game of golf at a course outside Madrid, Spain. On Oct. 22 Kathryn received one more letter from Bing, begging her to marry him and including his phone number for her response. Kathryn Crosby: It was a terrible surprise, but he had, of course, been sick. They honed their skills with Morrissey. #IHeartHollywood, Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly's Love Affair. They went to Ohio for the national convention of baseball owners. We rented a place called Cranbourne Court, and our two families lived together. Crosby was initially a member of a vocal trio called The Three Harmony Aces with Al Rinker accompanying on piano from the pit, to entertain between the films. Bing is awarded the DeSmet Medal at Gonzaga University. We heart living like a star. For fifteen years (1934, 1937, 1940, 19431954), Crosby was among the top ten acts in box-office sales, and for five of those years (19441948) he topped the world. Billboard magazine used different methodologies during his career. Kathryn Crosby: They loved them! Feb. Bing meets future wife, Kathryn Grant, for the first time. Bing Crosby and Bob Hope on the Road to Singapore (1940) film lot, between scenes. The film Blue Skies is released, in which Bing stars alongside Fred Astaire. He was 53; she was 23. Husband Bing appeared as a guest occasionally. Oct. Mullin had not yet succeeded with videotape, so Crosby filmed the series of 26-minute shows at the Hal Roach Studios, and the "telefilms" were syndicated to individual television stations. The advantage was editing. Melissa Parker (Smashing Interviews Magazine): Rosemary Clooney was one of his best friends? Crosby's vocal style helped take popular singing beyond the "belting" associated with Al Jolson and Billy Murray, who had been obligated to reach the back seats in New York theaters without the aid of a microphone. [109] "Lindsay Crosby supported his brother (Gary) at the time of its publication but had a tempered view of its revelations. The man was listening to Bing Crosby sing, "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive". Dec. Bing receives a Peabody Award for services to television. Kathryn Crosby (born Olive Kathryn Grandstaff, November 25, 1933) is an American retired actress and singer who performed in films under the stage names Kathryn Grant and Kathryn Grandstaff. Crosby had arranged for Ampex, another of his financial investments, to record the NBC telecast on kinescope. Kathryn Crosby: Working with Otto Preminger was amazing. However, while Crosby can be called a jazz singer, he was not strictly only a jazz singer as he modeled the style and techniques to a broad scope of music that he performed, ranging from Jazz to Country to even such material as operetta arias. In 1929, the Rhythm Boys appeared in the film King of Jazz with Whiteman, but Crosby's growing dissatisfaction with Whiteman led to the Rhythm Boys leaving his organization. He is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, having been inducted in 1978. Producer Jack Kapp establishes the U.S. branch of Decca Records, Bing follows and, under Kapps advisement, becomes the all-purpose singer. I was a lot younger than he was. Mar. Crosby had to do two live radio shows on the same day, three hours apart, for the East and West Coasts. Kathryn Crosby: Have you seen the special yet? The people who loved him will still love him and their children will love him. It was an amazing experience! We heart Celebrities. After the war, the event resumed play in 1947 on golf courses in Pebble Beach, where it has been played ever since. Im terribly proud, says Kathryn, his champion down the years. Although he was passionate about the team, he was too nervous to watch the deciding Game 7 of the 1960 World Series, choosing to go to Paris with Kathryn and listen to its radio broadcast. [3]:8. [3]:6[9] In 1948, Music Digest estimated that his recordings filled more than half of the 80,000 weekly hours allocated to recorded radio music in America.[9]. Bing Crosby married actress Kathryn Grant in 1957 and raised a second family. The filmJust For You is released, starring Bing, Jane Wyman and the young Natalie Wood. Bob was there with his four children, and I was there with our son Harry. Out of Nowhere becomes Bings first solo Number 1hit. Again I didnt know that hed built Del Mar racetrack in California.There was so much of his life that I didnt know about. I don't think he did anything wrong. They had 3 children, Harry (64), Mary Frances (63) and Nathaniel (60). Bing and Bob never worked on them. The family is coming here this Christmas. Throughout his career, Crosby often credited Bailey for getting him his first important job in the entertainment business. Melissa Parker (Smashing Interviews Magazine): Birmingham, Alabama. Bing Crosby was, without a doubt, the most popular and influential multimedia star of the first half of the 20th century, and now the public and his fans can learn much more about the icon in a new documentary, American Masters: Bing Crosby Rediscovered, which premieres nationwide Tuesday, December 2 at 8:00 pm on PBS. Crosby hired Mullin to start recording his Philco Radio Time show on his German-made machine in August 1947 using the same 50 reels of I.G. Mrs. Crosby, how would you describe your married relationship with Bing? May Bing records White Christmas and joins Hollywood Victory Caravan, a traveling show to raise money for war bonds. President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivers the first of his evening fireside chats to the public over radio. I think it all got a little out of hand. Murdo MacKenzie of Bing Crosby Enterprises had seen a demonstration of the German Magnetophon in June 1947the same device that Jack Mullin had brought back from Radio Frankfurt with 50 reels of tape, at the end of the war. Alexander M. Poniatoff ordered Ampex, which he founded in 1944, to manufacture an improved version of the Magnetophone. and helped morale of the American public. Oct. Its Been a Long, Long Time with Les Paul reaches Number 1. A number of Argentine-bred horses were purchased and shipped to race in the United States. His biggest best seller is "White Christmas" 2,000,000 impressions of which have been sold in the U.S. and 250,000 in Great Britain. [71], Throughout Europe and Russia, Crosby was also known as "Der Bingle", a pseudonym coined in 1944 by Bob Musel, an American journalist based in London, after Crosby had recorded three 15-minute programs with Jack Russin for broadcast to Germany from ABSIE. [3] However, Crosby's FBI files had already been published in 1992 and provide no indication that Crosby had ties to the Mafia except for one major, but accidental encounter in Chicago in 1929 which is not mentioned in the files, but is told by Crosby himself in his as-told-to autobiography Call Me Lucky. Feb. Bing and Bob Hope appear on the cover of Life Magazine. Dec. 7 The Japanese attack Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. I knew when I met Bing that every woman in the world loved him, and every man in the world wanted to go hunting with him and wanted to be his buddy or play golf with him like Bob did. And his star is still in the ascendant. Mar. His records produced hits during the Depression when sales were down. I came back to see the man playing one of those old Vitrolas, like those of RCA with the horn speaker. Ten of the top 50 songs of 1931 included Crosby with others or as a solo act. Melissa Parker (Smashing Interviews Magazine): A few years earlier, you appeared in Hitchcocks Rear Window (1954). All the jokes, all the remarks to each other. His record hit the charts on October 3, 1942, and rose to number 1 on October 31, where it stayed for 11 weeks. I can't even turn on the radio around Christmas time without crying anymore. Crosby, however, seldom bothers to contemplate his future. Some of Bing Crosbys fans may not know that you are also an actor. They appeared as guests on each other's shows and on Armed Forces Radio Service during and after World War II. I had a very little role in that, but I got to see Jimmy Stewart for the first time, and Grace Kelly had a wonderful role. His mother was a second generation Irish-American. After seeing a demonstration of a German broadcast quality reel-to-reel tape recorder brought to the United States by John T. Mullin, he invested $50,000 in the California electronics company Ampex to build copies. They had four sons: Gary, twins Dennis and Phillip, and Lindsay. An Afternoon with Jack Mullin. He became the first performer to prerecord his radio shows and master his commercial recordings onto magnetic tape. Why Did People In Old Hollywood Talk Funny. [24][25] Through another line, also on his father's side, Crosby is descended from Mayflower passenger William Brewster (c.1567 1644). bing!, and I would let him have it again, and then as his friends came to his rescue, shooting as they came, I would shout bing! Dec. Bells of St. Marys is released, a film in which Bing reprises his role as Father OMalley alongside Ingrid Bergman and becomes top box office attraction for 1946. I couldn't believe it when I read the book because it just didn't sound like Gary. Those movies include Rear Window, Cell 2455 Death Row, My Sister Eileen, The Phenix City Story, Storm Center, The Brothers Rico, The 7th Voyage of Sinbad, Anatomy of a Murder and The Big Circus. People were there from Paramount, and one big executive producer said, Theyre very good together. A "Battle of the Baritones" with singer Russ Columbo proved short-lived, replaced with the slogan "Bing Was King". Armstrong appreciated Crosby's progressive attitudes on race, and often expressed gratitude for the role in later years.[44]. Nov. The Cremo Singer radio show premieres on WABC (CBS affiliate). We heart movies. Melissa Parker (Smashing Interviews Magazine): Bing won over fans with his laid-back, cool persona and smooth vocals. Known as the first multimedia star, Bill Crosby is a Hollywood legend. Then we got married, which was very good. He didnt always say it, but he always showed it. I went into his office, and my agents were there, and his lawyers were there, and I said, How do you do? I took a letter from my purpose. Crosby was also an avid golfer. The following year, Crosby and Hope reunited for one more Road movie, The Road to Hong Kong, which teamed them up with the much younger Joan Collins and Peter Sellers. The nickname "Der Bingle" was common among Crosby's German listeners and came to be used by his English-speaking fans. June 27 Bing and Dixie welcome their first son, Gary Evan Crosby. [20][21], He was the fourth of seven children: brothers Laurence Earl "Larry" (18951975), Everett Nathaniel (18961966), Edward John "Ted" (19001973), and George Robert "Bob" (19131993); and two sisters, Catherine Cordelia (19041974) and Mary Rose (19061990). He had a reputation for being such an ogre. [121], Following his recovery from a life-threatening fungal infection in his right lung in January 1974, Crosby emerged from semi-retirement to start a new spate of albums and concerts. July The film High Society is released, starring Bing, Frank Sinatra, Grace Kelly and Louis Armstrong. Everyone was laughing hysterically.Even when he was in his 70s Crosby continued with his busy schedule and was regularly in Britain, recording and performing. And then I asked if he liked race horses. In an interview for the same article, Gary clarified that Bing "was like a lot of fathers of that time. Crosby had one confirmed extramarital affair between 1945 and the late 1940s, while married to his first wife Dixie. Either in December 1945 or January 1946 Crosby approached Cardinal Francis Spellman with his difficulties with dealing with his wife's alcoholism and his love for Caulfield and his plan to file for divorce. No. [68], Crosby's popularity around the world was such that Dorothy Masuka, the best-selling African recording artist, stated that, "Only Bing Crosby the famous American crooner sold more records than me in Africa." This house went up for sale by its current owners in 2021 for $13.75 million. After a threat of divorce in March 1931, he applied himself to his career. [106] This house served as a setting for some of the family's Minute Maid orange juice television commercials. They had three children, including actress Mary Crosby of Dallas (1978) fame. Bing Crosby, byname of Harry Lillis Crosby, (born May 3, 1903, Tacoma, Washington, U.S.died October 14, 1977, near Madrid, Spain), American singer, actor, and songwriter who achieved great popularity in radio, recordings, and motion pictures. [42] He sang four Academy Award winning songs "Sweet Leilani" (1937), "White Christmas" (1942), "Swinging on a Star" (1944), "In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening" (1951) and won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Going My Way (1944). Without him, Jack Kapp wouldn't have had a chance in hell of making Decca work and the Great Depression would have wiped out phonograph records for good."[43]. What did Bing Crosby do before the Great Depression? Around the same time, Crosby talked to his mother about his intentions and she protested. In 1957, he married Kathryn Grant, a young actress and singer he had met on the Paramount lot. But it made no difference at all because I was kind of precocious. [28] As a freshman, he played on the university's baseball team. . Mar. [96], In the most recent Crosby biography, Bing Crosby: Swinging on a Star; the War Years, 1940-1946, Gary Giddins published excerpts from an original diary of two sisters, Violet and Mary Barsa, who, as young women, used to stalk Crosby in New York City during December 1945 and January 1946 and who detailed their observations in the diary. The Crosby family moves from Tacoma to Spokane, Washington. bing! The trial court granted Dixie's trust's claim. In a memorandum dated January 16, 1959, it is said: This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the express written consent of the publisher. "Sail Away from Norway" (1977) Crosby wrote lyrics to go with a traditional song. Crosby wrote or co-wrote lyrics to 22 songs. Bing opens with Just One More Chance and the show becomes a massive hit. [104], After Crosby's death, his eldest son, Gary, wrote a highly critical memoir, Going My Own Way (1983), depicting his father as cruel, cold, remote, and physically and psychologically abusive.

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