A review by kmccubbin
Bing Crosby: Swinging on a Star: The War Years, 1940-1946 by Gary Giddins
4.0
From a modern perspective, Gary Giddens' wonderful, epic, history of The Old Groaner, Bing Crosby, almost constitutes the unearthing of a secret history of the nation. To see how little Der Bingle is considered these days leaves one in awe as Giddens' books unveil what amounts to arguably the most important entertainment career of the twentieth century and certainly the most popular entertainer of its first half.
Over the course of this second volume, Bingo from Bingtown continues to revolutionize how recording and radio broadcasting work, redefines the idea of being famous, hoists a bunch of other careers on his back and carries them (Ginny Sims, Mary Martin, Dinah Shore), wins an Oscar while increasing the upper ceiling of movie profits over and over, entertains the troops tirelessly, accidentally RETAKES A FRENCH TOWN FROM THE NAZIS (for a few minutes) and outsells everybody. All the while dealing with an extremely troubled home life and the constant threat of shifting musical trends.
Yes, this is the volume where we begin to deal with his son Gary's allegations of child abuse and no, the picture is neither clear or easy. There will surely be more on this in the third volume.
And this is the volume where he records the best selling single of all time.
And it's all fascinating.
Over the course of this second volume, Bingo from Bingtown continues to revolutionize how recording and radio broadcasting work, redefines the idea of being famous, hoists a bunch of other careers on his back and carries them (Ginny Sims, Mary Martin, Dinah Shore), wins an Oscar while increasing the upper ceiling of movie profits over and over, entertains the troops tirelessly, accidentally RETAKES A FRENCH TOWN FROM THE NAZIS (for a few minutes) and outsells everybody. All the while dealing with an extremely troubled home life and the constant threat of shifting musical trends.
Yes, this is the volume where we begin to deal with his son Gary's allegations of child abuse and no, the picture is neither clear or easy. There will surely be more on this in the third volume.
And this is the volume where he records the best selling single of all time.
And it's all fascinating.