Bing Crosby: Pocketful of Dreams--The Early Years, 1903-1940

Bing Crosby's reputation has not fared well in the years after his death. His screen image of an easy-going, ordinary guy seemed to ring false, especially with the publication of a kind of "Daddy Dearest" book by one of his sons. Moreover, his singing seemed unlikely to undergo the kind of revival of popularity that Frank Sinatra's has.Gary Giddins is out to change much of that. He convincingly argues that Crosby was one of the key figures among American singers -- or even entertainers in general -- in the 20th century. Giddins argues that Crosby was the first to fully understand the change caused by the widespread introduction of records and to adapt his technique accordingly. This book is extremely well researched, but Giddins is such a superb writer that he never allows the details to bog down the narrative, a fault common to academic biographers who seem to be incapable of leaving out the smallest detail about their subjects. Moreover, Giddins has extensive knowledge about popular culture of the period that allows him to put in Crosby in the perspective of his time.Crosby turns out to be a better person than many might think. He seems to have lacked any racial prejudice; he was a great admirer of Louis Armstrong and worked to get in him into films when black entertainers were either shunned or forced into Uncle Tom roles. He was, if anything, excessively modest about his own abilities, giving the credit to others for his success. He was for the most part easy to work with in the studio or on a film set, only balking when his reasonable requests were ignored. He was generous to people he had known in the past who had fallen on hard times.Yet Giddins is careful not to ignore Crosby's faults as well. As friendly as he could be, he did not open up to people, even those he had known for years. His first marriage slowly turned into something of a disaster as his wife developed drinking and other mental problems. (Several people are quoted as saying that the drinking problems were the result of helping Crosby break his own drinking problem, but I'm not sure I understand the logic of that and Giddins is no help on this point). For all of that, Crosby comes across as an admirable person. Perhaps this book and its successor will spur a greater interest in Crosby the singer. Whether this happens or not, anyone interested in American entertainment in the last century will want to read this book.

Did you know that Bing Crosby started out as a Law Student, or that he "bombed" at the New York Paramount Theatre in his first appearances there with the Paul Whiteman Orchestra, or that Hollywood glued his ears back because they were too "big" on screen, or that he credits Louie Armstrong for heightening his awareness of phrasing a song and scatting? Gary Giddens has researched interviews and archives to bring the beauty of "Bing", to our attention again in this book. Photographs are included and reveal this multi-talented, multi-faceted, gifted entertainer, singer and movie star. He was suave, swinging, affable, an acknowledged "nice" guy. Much more that just an echo in the valley, he was a pioneering jazz vocalist capable of delivering and commanding every kind of music: spiritual songs, blues, western ballads, Irish lullabies. Remember those delightful "On the Road" films with Dorothy Lamour and Bob Hope? While you are reading this book, listen to Bing's CD's; especially, "Bing Crosby- His Legendary Years 1931-1957". He is just too marvelous for words, and according to author Gary Giddins, dramatized pop and played a central role in American cultural history.

Having read every review of this book I could find on the internet and in magazine stores & newspapers, I was surprised to find only two MILDLY negative reviews out of a total of about twenty-five - all the rest of the reviews were ecstatic. Then I read the book and discoverd the reason for this statistic: This is a remarkable book. First of all, the book does a superb job of placing the youngster Harry Crosby in his place & time in the early years of the century. As a life-long Crosby watcher, I was amazed that there could still be new things for me to learn about the man ( & boy), but Giddins keeps the facts, observations, and trajectory of the story going at an absorbing clip. But the real fascination for me comes once Bing enters his professional years: Giddins' delineation of Bing's works - records, films, broadcasts - is nothing short of awesome. This single volume does more to create the atmosphere of a particular era in our nation's culture and history (as reflected in it's popular entertainment) than any other book I've ever read (and I've read most of 'em!) Along with this, Giddins continues with the story of Bing's life. Not as much of the sadness in the story as some folks seem to be clamoring for, but that's just the way it was: these were Bing's happiest years, and the later volume will, no doubt, explore some of those other aspects of Bing's life. The greatest thing about this book, I think, is that it serves as a rediscovery of what one critic (McDonough in the "Wall Street Journal") claims we should have known all along - that Bing Crosby was the most important performer of the first half of the last century. As such, it's fitting that he is now the subject of one of the all-time great in-depth studies of a performing life.

Words can not realy express the latest writings of Gary Giddins. Mr. Giddins was brave enough to tackle a subject, BING CROSBY, that has been forgotten by modern society. Giddins paints a very honest and human portrait of Bing Crosby, and he does it with such a language as you will not want to put the book down.Gary Giddins is obviously a fan of Mr. Crosby, but he did not start out that way. Giddins found out that although Bing was not the actor we saw on the screen, Bing also was not the brutal father that has been misrepresented in the tabloids.PLEASE...do yourself a favor and buy this book. The only misgiving I have with the book is I have to wait until volume two to read the rest. However, it will be well worth the wait...

Gary Giddins has pealed away the mendacity that has surrounded Bing Crosby in published literature since his death. Bing was pilloried in books by his son Gary, and painted in other biographies as a philandering, cold-as-ice misanthrope. Finally Crosby fans can embrace a book which contains much positive information on one of the greatest and most influential Americans icons of the 20th century. Bing's brilliance has been inexplicably eclipsed since his death. Hopefully, this book will introduce the Crosby magic to those who have never been exposed to it.Without Bing Crosby, popular music would not sound the way it sounds today, it's that simple. When he first started singing with Paul Whiteman's band in the 20's as a member of the Rhythm Boys, all vocalists sounded the same: weak-kneed tenors warbling through megaphones, ala the insufferable Rudy Vallee. Bing's mellifluous, effortless baritone became the standard by which every other singer strove to emulate: Sinatra, Como, Dean Martin and every other singer initially copied Bing.Giddins correctly emphasizes Bing's influence on 20th century pop culture. He was a vocal innovator par excellence and his jazz phrasing, timing and cadence remains unmatched. Giddins also explores in great depth Crosby's numerous affairs, his tortured marriage to the alcoholic Dixie Lee, and brings out some interesting gossip: did you know Bing smoked pot regularly with Louis Armstrong in the early 30's? No more Mr. Goody Two Shoes!I've loved Bing Crosby all my life and have waited a lifetime for an intelligent and readable biography. Gary Giddins is an excellent writer and researcher and he has created a minor masterpiece. This is an essential addition to any Crosbyphile's bookshelf.