We are all very excited to welcome you in the forum Aaron, after your inspired presentations on the ICC meetings we just can't wait to enjoy your expertise here as well.

Thank you, David and Pantelis, for your warm welcome. 

It's great to be among Bing collectors. I'm looking forward to many great discussions. 

Not sure why I've taken so long to join the forum. I guess I'm a bit of a techno-phobe.

And yes, your Ann Blyth tribute was indeed wonderful, Pantelis. Not an actress I'd ever paid much attention to before. I must seek out more of her performances. I think my father may have Kismet and the Mario Lanza films in his DVD collection. I'll have to "borrow" them.

And David, I must congratulate you on the presentation you did on Bing's Brunswick years. I ended up stumbling across your War Years one on YouTube as well. I still have to finish that one, but was quite impressed with the choice of repertoire you covered.

It was really great to see everyone at the ICC meeting. Looking forward to contribute more in October.

Ian Kerstein wrote:

Lovely to know that you enjoyed it, David. It was nice to know you were among us and interacting. Jason does a lovely job hosting them. 

Yes, I think I posted it elsewhere but I don't have a mic/camera on my home computer. My work laptop does so I'll bring that home next month! LOL. People say I have a face for radio.
 

And I have a great voice for silent movies!

I think you're right, Ian. 

Maybe that's why Bing was so critical of his own singing. 

Thanks, I'm presuming John?

Yes, Bing often compared his voice to Andy Devine and others who had a completely different sound to Bing's warmth and resonance. 

Having said that, listen to Andy in Dr Rhythm. He doesn't do a bad job harmonising in the quartet of old cronies...I mean, don't get me wrong...I wouldn't race out and buy any records if he had made any.

Peter Falk is another one who managed to carry the tune when he had to sing in Robin and the Seven Hoods. Not a singer but could "sing the character".

Aaron Tickner wrote:

I think you're right, Ian. 

Maybe that's why Bing was so critical of his own singing. 

Bing talks about the current (in 1966) state and quality of his voice in this smashing near thirty minute television programme, "Kaleidoscope". I do like it when great artistes can be critical of themselves - but in Bing's case here, overly so over his voice. 

Bing Crosby interviewed on career, family and religion 1966 - YouTube

On the opposing side of this was Tony Bennett being upset by a BBC interviewer a number of years ago on the radio when during one of his oft-claims that he was now "singing better than ever", the interviewer gently commented there was surely now some audible "gravel" there (which there had been, increasingly since the 1970's). He told her that he disagreed and sighted his positive reviews from all over the world.

Sinatra once commented to Larry King on television in 1988 that he was considered an "Over the hill singer" and thought that might be true, later wondering if voice wise, it was "going to be there" each time he later walked on to the stage. Daughter Nancy once reported him in tears in the 1990's, before his final retirement, when she saw him listening to one of his earlier recordings, ruefully reflecting " … I can't do that anymore".

I realise there's a difference between a voice's youthful purity and then the years of experience which improves interpretation. For my money, the best male example of which I'm aware of Bing's era of singer who kept their voice as closely sounding to their prime was that of Perry Como's. He could often still demonstrate an unbroken tone and fairly decent breath control up until about eighty years old. It's such a shame he made so few albums during his final performing decade. He needed a Ken Barnes!
 

Pantelis Kavouras wrote:

David Lobosco wrote:

Pantelis, the tribute you did to Ann Blyth was wonderful. I learned so much!

Thank you so much David for your kind words!!

I'll second that. Well researched and very engagingly delivered. 

Last edited by Ian Kerstein (13/9/2026 6:53 pm)

Pleasure, Aaron. I'm pleased you're familiar with it.
I'd never thought of looking up further interviews conducted by James Day.
I will now do so

In the UK up until ten years ago, we had an arts journalist called Mark Lawson who conducted hour long interviews, similar to this on BBC TV. These were the last (so far) of this kind on UK terrestrial television. His programmes ("Mark Lawson Talks to … ") were extremely well researched and soberly conducted.
I too lament the loss of the extended broadcast interview with any type of public figure.
Thankfully, there are many podcasts, now but it's a minefield out there with certain interviewers being as you say, far too fond of their own voice. Thank goodness I've never put myself forward!

I think over here chat show wise, Michael Parkinson (who also had an Australian version of his show) excelled himself. I fully realise some of his interview programmes with just single subjects were actually rehearsed but they came across, conversational wise as fairly spontaneous. Additionally he also gave room for his interviewees to breathe. HIs second interview with Bing (1975) was criticised for being far too non-spontaneous but at least our man was such an entertaining and articulate conversationist that it didn't seem to matter. Those guests of his who were less so such as Fred Astaire, still came out of it well due to Parkinson's careful handling. 

If you haven't already seen it, Aaron and if you want to look at Bing being a little more (albeit gently and humerously) challenged on his dress sense and money, take a look at this one from 1975 on the UK's single (at the time) commercial television station. 
Bing Crosby interview - Today - Thames Television

Last edited by Ian Kerstein (19/9/2026 2:55 pm)