I found out what the name means and it fits Bing perfectly. It means, number 1, creative,unity,beginning,God, masculine,physical and mental activity,leadership, spotlight, individuality, friendly presence, reaches the top with things they are interested in. I guess he is a Lillis!

Interesting? I'll have to dig further...

Found the answer! 

At the bottom of page 30 in Gary Giddins  1st volume on Bing.

Bing's Father was disappointed he did not have a girl so his Mother named him after his Father.

However she chose Lillis as the middle name after a family friend in the neighborhood.

Both Bing and his Father continued to use the Sr. and Jr. designations.

 

Last edited by Benclink (23/3/2023 2:23 pm)

Blonde56 wrote:

Thanks Benclink! I read that book about 3 times, you'd think I would have remembered.

Yes, I've read both Mr Giddin's books several times and it is amazing what you read the next time around and think, "That's new to me". Such wonderful detail. 

I have done another presentation and have left it with Jace to look over ready for next year. Without giving anything away yet, I had looked up all the various reference books we have to see how Bing became involved with a particular vocal/instrumental quartet. Although all the books gave good detail about the collaborations, Mr Giddins was the only one who gave insight as to how the association began. I had read the particular page several times previously but had no recollection of the information. In fact, I looked up Pocketful of Dreams last not expecting to find anything about the group as they aren't particularly significant in the overall career of Bing. What a nice surprise it was to rediscover the information that proved invaluable to my presentation. Stay tuned...next year, hopefully.
 

Ian Kerstein wrote:

I've always wondered about Bing's middle name - so thank you, Benclink. 

You have me thinking now, Aaron.
If I promise to fulfil the homework you've set me on "Road to Utopia" - would you indulge me if I guessed the vocal/instrumental quartet being The Mills Brothers? I believe a family run version of them may still running to this day? 

I can confirm I will be presenting this in the January meeting and it is not The Mills Brothers. The male vocal/instrumental vocal quartet I will be focusing on are not related to one another.

I did say the group in question aren't particularly significant to the overall career of Bing. So can't be The Mills Brothers as they did play an important role in Bing's career - from the early 1930s right up to the Pasadena Concert.