Thanks for mentioning this, Malcolm. I still hope for a volume 3...

Is anybody reading, or just read or about to read any book concerning Bing, at all?
I'm currently wallowing in our own, our very own Malcolm Macfarlane's monumental and mightily impressive tome "Bing Crosby, Day by Day". If ever the term, "A labour of love" could be most relevantly applied as far as things all Bing are concerned, then this would be it. 

Last edited by Ian Kerstein (07/10/2024 6:23 pm)

Carmela,

I have great news for you!
I have just remembered that The International Club Crosby's website, of which of course you know Malcolm does such a wonderful job in editing those "Bing" magazines we both enjoy - has published Malcolm's book, "Bing Crosby, Day by Day" online. You should be able to access its title page here:
https://www.bingmagazine.co.uk/bingmagazine/1903-1935.htm
... and then follow the easily navigable links of its contents page.

Yes, it's such a shame that due to its limited print run, copies are expensive everywhere. I believe in the past, I've seen it listed on Amazon UK for as much as around a thousand pounds (so currently once converted, just over a cool one thousand, three hundred dollars!!!) I was fortunate in that three years ago, I spotted my copy on the "Abe Books" website for just over two hundred dollars (posted from Der Bingle's Germany)- but I still gulped before clicking on to order it. Well worth it though!

However, the advantage of the online edition, is that Malcolm's research continues, adding fresh dates, as he discovers newly revealed activities of Bing. 

"Perry Como: A Biography and Complete Career Record" - Malcolm and Ken Crossland's book is a wonderfully researched delight. They really have dug deep into Perry's career and with what must surely be the most extensive listings ever published of all his professional activities -  and the only biography ever to be published on this fondly remembered entertainer. 

What do you think of the Gary Giddens books? Are you you enjoying them?


PS: Sorry about the disappointment you'll encounter on the day of your birth -  but have fun checking the same date for all your other birthdays through the years, to see if there's anything on any of those for you to see what our man was up to.

Last edited by Ian Kerstein (08/10/2024 2:06 pm)

I wonder if Gary Giddins will ever do a third book on Bing. I try to be optimistic, but I am thinking it will not ever come out.

Pleased to read that you've caught up with the latest "Bing" magazines, Carmela. They are a wonderful source of information and entertainment, aren't they? Delighted to read I am the source of such inspiration!
Does everyone  think the Giddins books will eventually be looked upon as the definitive life of Bing - even if it only makes it to its current, two volume incomplete state? 

Last edited by Ian Kerstein (12/10/2024 2:38 am)

Thanks for the info Ian on Giddins third volume. I have read many Crosby books over the years, Giddins first volume will always be my favorite. Giddins did an amazing job on both volumes. I do think the books will be thought of as the definitive life of Bing. Bing's "Call Me Lucky" and Kathryn' s books are up there too as favorites. The Bing mags are excellent, so much info, all involved do a great job!

Pantelis Kavouras wrote:

Do we know if a third Giddins book would cover all the remaining years till 1977? Or it would be just about a specific period in Bing's life?

I recall Giddins saying somewhere that it would be all the way until 1977.  That would have been a few years ago when the second book came out.  Of course, that could be all up in the air now, so we'll have to wait and see if there's even a third.

Does anyone know of any updates on Giddins Vol. 3?