Thanks, Pantelis. The other thing that crossed my mind was also my wondering if Gary Giddens when considering this "baronial" lifestyle and the more formal surroundings of Hillsborough, was also possibly contrasting Bing's continuing love of the outdoors, the far more primitive conditions of his old ranch and his very casually preferred dress sense when not in public view? 

Last edited by Ian Kerstein (17/10/2025 1:22 am)

I've not knowingly come across the Crosby Collection  books. Can you tell me a little more about them?

I also really enjoy Ken Barnes' "The Crosby Years". He has some very interesting insights into Bing's music and recording career but my favourite part of the book is the section where he discusses working directly with Bing. I love to read of the direct experiences people have had of this. I seem to have accessed far more easily tales from both Bing and of his fellow actors working beside him on his films than in the recording studio. I've found plenty of this with Sinatra but never so much with Bing. Ken has also penned some wonderful liner notes on this subject within some of the reissued Crosby recordings on CD. I really enjoy his natural, unpretentious written style, where he describes Bing's character, working habits and humour. 

Last edited by Ian Kerstein (19/10/2025 11:14 am)

Oh my goodness me. So they are. Apologies for being so forgetful. They are indeed a suburb set of detailed books which I was lucky enough to obtain through an International Club Crosby meeting. A wonderful choice. Clearly so much work was invested in the writing of them. Speaking of "so much work", I do hope that volume three of the Gary Giddens biography surfaces at some point. 

Last edited by Ian Kerstein (19/10/2025 11:26 am)

I just know Giddins was wanting to finish a project first before beginning on writing the third volume. Hopefully that has wrapped up.

I am so eager to learn news about the third volume, it is nice to know that the research he already could be protected in any scenario. But Gary Giddins is truly one of a kind biographer, no one could ever top his biographical voice. He is so talented and so knlowledgeable. I am hoping by now he has start to write about it it, even if he hasn't share anything with us.

Ian asked about my decision to write about Bing's impact on Australian entertainment. I made a short presentation on the subject at the 2002 Hofstra conference. That took me almost 18 months. After the conference I realised that I had so much information and decided to continue my research and then wrote the book and published it in 2008. Thank goodness my wife Helen gave me the support and encouragement which was essential.