David, you might find this link useful.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304723304577368220130272922.html

That's a fascinating article - thanks for flagging it up, Malcolm...

From what I've read, it doesn't look like I'll be picking up my copy of Vol. 2 from the Leeds meeting later this year, but - having said that - I hope that Gary's 91-year-old mother won't have too long a wait before she settles down in her armchair to read it..!

Yes, the article which Malcolm flagged is revealing and, I suppose, not surprising. I've read Gary Giddins' Bing biography several times and I daresay I'll read it again before volume 2 is published; I can't wait for that. I gave a spare copy to our local library. I wonder who often it's been borrowed. I must ask the librarian.

He is WAY WAY overdue on this project. I thought it was all done and he was awaiting publisher's release date. How disappointing to hear this.

Jeremy,
It may be out before Leeds and you have finished reading it. Now, that would be good.

Any updates on volume 2? I am starting to believe it will never come out.

Hope it is out soon, as the first volume is excellent. Mind you, we shouldn't be too concerned. Volume one of a new biography of The Beatles has just come out; there will be three volumes in total, and the final one won't be complete until 2028!

Last edited by John Shrewsbury (08/1/2014 12:16 pm)

Sorry, I haven't heard anything, but he said last year that he would never write an autobiography.

The book was expensive and I believe it is soldout. They were signed by Ringo and came with drumsticks.

It's been over ten years since Volume 1 of Gary Giddins Bing Crosby biography was
published (Bing Crosby: A Pocketful of Dreams-the Early Years, 1903-1940), and over at
Nitrateville in a discussion thread entitled "Rediiscovering Bing Crosby", some
discussion is going on about Volume 2, and why it has not yet been released.

http://www.nitrateville.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=15509&p=120535&hilit=+Crosby+and+Hope+

I'm not saying it's true, but just passing along a summary of comments by many including
Mr.  Joe Busam-Producer, Monster Kid Home Movies and Bob Fells attorney and author of
three books on George Arliss. In their comments, both Mr. Busam and Mr. Fells state that
they have heard that the publisher has changed course on publishing the second volume
after overall worldwide sales of Volume 1 fell below expectations. One poster states that
he has been told Volume 2 is finished and ready to go, but there is no financial backing
to get it published and printed and that Giddins is not interested/has declined to move
forward as an electronic version (E-Book) only .
 


















 

Don't know what's happening about Gary's book but the trouble with the delay (if that's what it is) is that it may prevent other writers tackling Bing's life.

Re Sepia, there are no pending Bing issues at the moment but if we come up with something that they like, I am sure they would issue it. Last time, I spoke to the proprietor the "Bing in the Hall" CD wasn't selling very well. Haven't heard how the AFRS CD went yet.

Sad to say, but I think the re-emergence of Bing in the 21st century has peaked and (barring any miraculous burst of nostalgia becoming trendy) he will slip away from most people's memories except for the Christmas holidays each year. Next year expect a huge media push to celebrate the Sinatra Centennial and that will certainly keep Bing in the background. UNLESS this book gets published and it gets really, really good PR.

What sickens me is the running undercurrent that Giddins has lost interest in the project. If that be true than all is lost!  So sad....