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Belmont Park
Belmont Park is a major thoroughbred horse-racing facility located in the hamlet of Elmont, New York, in the Town of Hempstead, in Nassau County, Long Island. It first opened on May 4, 1905.
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Del Mar Racetrack
Del Mar Racetrack is an American Thoroughbred horse racing track at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in the seaside city of Del Mar, California, 20 miles north of San Diego. Operated by the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, it is known for the slogan: "Where The Surf Meets The Turf." It was built by a partnership including Bing Crosby, the actor Pat O'Brien, Jimmy Durante, Charles S. Howard and Oliver Hardy.
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Del Mar, California
Del Mar is an upscale beach town in San Diego County, California. The population was 4,389 at the 2000 census. The San Diego County Fair is hosted on the Del Mar Fairgrounds every summer. Del Mar is Spanish for "of the sea" or "by the sea", because it is located on the Pacific Ocean. Colonel Jacob Taylor purchased from Enoch Talbert in 1885, with visions of building a seaside resort for the rich and famous.
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Elmont, New York
Elmont is a hamlet (and census-designated place) as well as a bedroom suburb of New York City, New York, United States in Nassau County, on Long Island. Elmont is an unincorporated area of the Town of Hempstead. The population was 33,657 at the 2000 census.
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Gonzaga University
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Madrid
http://wn.com/Madrid -
Madrid, Spain
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Moorpark, California
Moorpark is a city of 47,342 people, in Southern California. It was founded in 1900 by Robert Poindexter, presumably named after the moorpark apricots that grew in the area. The city has experienced a great amount of growth since the late 1970s.
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Spokane
http://wn.com/Spokane -
Spokane, Washington
Spokane (, ) is a city located in the Northwestern United States in the state of Washington. It is the largest city and county seat of Spokane County, as well as the metropolitan center of the Inland Northwest region. The city is located on the Spokane River in Eastern Washington, 110 miles (180 km) south of the Canadian border, approximately from the Washington-Idaho border, and east of Seattle.
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Tacoma, Washington
Tacoma (, ) is a mid-sized urban port city in and the county seat of Pierce County, Washington, United States. The city is on Washington's Puget Sound, southwest of Seattle, northeast of the state capital, Olympia, and northwest of Mount Rainier National Park. The population was 193,556, according to the 2000 census, while the Census Bureau estimated its population at 199,637 in 2009. Tacoma is the second-largest city in the Puget Sound area and the third largest in the state. Japanese automaker Toyota has a truck named after the city.
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The Brighton Centre
The Brighton Centre is a conference centre located in Brighton, England. The capacity of the main hall for conferences is 4,500 people and 5,100 for standing concerts.
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United States
The United States of America (also referred to as the United States, the U.S., the USA, or America) is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district. The country is situated mostly in central North America, where its forty-eight contiguous states and Washington, D.C., the capital district, lie between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, bordered by Canada to the north and Mexico to the south. The state of Alaska is in the northwest of the continent, with Canada to the east and Russia to the west across the Bering Strait. The state of Hawaii is an archipelago in the mid-Pacific. The country also possesses several territories in the Caribbean and Pacific.
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Washington (state)
http://wn.com/Washington_(state)
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Al Jolson
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Al Pacino
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Al Rinker
Al Rinker (December 20, 1907 – June 11, 1982) began performing as a partner with Bing Crosby in 1925 and the two singers formed the Rhythm Boys, which singer/songwriter/pianist Harry Barris later joined. Barris wrote the songs Mississippi Mud, I Surrender, Dear, and Wrap Your Troubles in Dream among others. The singing trio worked with Paul Whiteman's Big Band in Los Angeles until Crosby dissolved the group to go solo, recording both with Whiteman and on their own with Barris on piano.
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Albert Finney
Albert Finney (born 9 May 1936) is an English actor. He achieved prominence in films during the early 1960s, and has maintained a successful career in theatre, film and television.
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Alec Guinness
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Alfred Hitchcock
Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock, KBE (13 August 1899 – 29 April 1980) was an English filmmaker and producer. He pioneered many techniques in the suspense and psychological thriller genres. After a successful career in his native United Kingdom in both silent films and early talkies, Hitchcock moved to Hollywood. In 1956 he became an American citizen while remaining a British subject.
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Anthony Hopkins
Sir Philip Anthony Hopkins, CBE (born 31 December 1937), is a Welsh actor of film, stage and television. Considered to be one of the greatest living actors, he is perhaps best known for his portrayal of cannibalistic serial killer Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs, its sequel, Hannibal, and its prequel, Red Dragon. Other prominent film credits include Magic, The Elephant Man, 84 Charing Cross Road, Dracula, Legends of the Fall, The Remains of the Day, Amistad, Nixon and Fracture. Hopkins was born and brought up in Wales. Retaining his British citizenship, he became a U.S. citizen on 12 April 2000. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2003 and was made a Fellow of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts in 2008.
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Anthony Quinn
:For other people named Anthony Quinn see Anthony Quinn (disambiguation)
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Bessie Smith
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Bette Davis
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Beverly Garland
Beverly Garland (October 17, 1926 – December 5, 2008) was an American film and television actress, businesswoman, and hotel owner. Garland gained prominence for her role as Fred MacMurray's second wife, "Barbara Harper Douglas", in the 1960s sitcom My Three Sons (a role she played from 1969 until the series ended in 1972). In the 1980s, she co-starred as Kate Jackson's widowed mother, "Dotty West", in the television series Scarecrow and Mrs. King, on CBS. She also had a recurring role as Ginger Jackson on The WB Television Network series 7th Heaven.
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Bill Mazeroski
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Billie Holiday
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Billy Bob Thornton
Billy Bob Thornton (born August 4, 1955) is an American actor, director, musician, playwright and screenwriter. Thornton gained early recognition as a cast member on the CBS sitcom Hearts Afire and in several early 1990s films including On Deadly Ground and Tombstone. In the mid-1990s, after writing, directing, and starring in the independent film Sling Blade, he won an Academy Award for Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay). He appeared in several major film roles following Sling Blade 's success, including 1998's Armageddon and A Simple Plan. During the late 1990s, Thornton, who has had a life-long love for music, began a career as a singer-songwriter. He has released three albums and was the singer of a blues rock band.
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Bing Crosby
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Bix Beiderbecke
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Bob Crosby
Bob Crosby (August 23, 1913, Spokane, Washington – March 9, 1993, La Jolla, California) was an American dixieland bandleader and vocalist, best known for his group Crosby and the Bob-Cats.
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Broderick Crawford
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Buddy Adler
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Burt Lancaster
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Campbell Scott
Campbell Scott (born July 19, 1961) is an American actor, director, producer, and voice artist.
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Carl Fenton
Carl Fenton (1889-1980) born as Walter G. Haenschen, was an American bandleader, composer, and radio musician.
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Cecil B. DeMille
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Charles S. Howard
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Charlton Heston
Charlton Heston (October 4, 1923 – April 5, 2008) was an American actor of film, theatre and television.
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Clark Gable
William Clark Gable (February 1, 1901 – November 16, 1960) was an American film actor, nicknamed "The King of Hollywood" in his heyday. In 1999, the American Film Institute named Gable seventh among the greatest male stars of all time.
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Clint Eastwood
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Danny Kaye
Danny Kaye (January 18, 1913 – March 3, 1987) was an American actor, singer, dancer, and comedian.
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Darryl F. Zanuck
Darryl Francis Zanuck (September 5, 1902 – December 22, 1979) was an American producer, writer, actor, director, and studio executive who played a major part in the Hollywood studio system as one of its longest survivors (the length of his career being rivalled only by that of Adolph Zukor).
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David Bowie
David Bowie ( ; born David Robert Jones, 8 January 1947) is an English rock musician, who has also worked as an actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for five decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s, and is known for his distinctive voice and the intellectual depth of his work.
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David Niven
James David Graham Niven (1 March 1910 – 29 July 1983), known as David Niven, was a British actor and novelist, best known for his roles as Phileas Fogg in Around the World in 80 Days and Sir Charles Lytton, a.k.a. "the Phantom," in The Pink Panther. He was awarded the 1958 Academy Award for Best Actor in Separate Tables.
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Dean Martin
Dean Martin (June 7, 1917 – December 25, 1995) was an American singer, film actor and comedian. Martin's hit singles included "Memories Are Made of This", "That's Amore", "Everybody Loves Somebody", "Mambo Italiano", "Sway", "Volare" and posthumous smash "Ain't That a Kick in the Head?". Nicknamed the "King of Cool", he was one of the members of the "Rat Pack" and a major star in four areas of show business: concert stage/night clubs, recordings, motion pictures, and television.
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Denise Crosby
Denise Michelle Crosby (born November 24, 1957) is an American actress best known for portraying Security Chief Tasha Yar on . She is also known for her numerous film and television roles, for starring in and producing the film Trekkies, and for being the granddaughter of Bing Crosby.
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Dennis Crosby
Dennis Michael Crosby (July 13, 1934–May 7, 1991) was an occasional American actor, the son of singer and actor Bing Crosby, and twin brother of Phillip Crosby. He was the father of actress Denise Crosby.
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Dixie Lee
:For the franchised restaurant chain, see Dixie Lee Fried Chicken.
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Dorothy Lamour
Dorothy Lamour (December 10, 1914 – September 22, 1996) was an American film actress. She is probably best-remembered for appearing in the Road to... movies, a series of successful comedies co-starring Bob Hope and Bing Crosby.
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Duke Ellington
Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974) was a composer, pianist, and big band leader.
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Dwight Eisenhower
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Eddie Lang
Eddie Lang (October 25, 1902 – March 26, 1933) was an American jazz guitarist, regarded as Father of Jazz Guitar. He played a Gibson L-4 and L-5 guitar, providing great influence for many guitarists, including Django Reinhardt.
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Frank McHugh
Francis Curray "Frank" McHugh (May 23, 1898 – September 11, 1981) was an American film and television actor.
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Frank Sinatra
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Fred Allen
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Fred Astaire
Fred Astaire (May 10, 1899 – June 22, 1987), born Frederick Austerlitz, was an American film and Broadway stage dancer, choreographer, singer and actor. His stage and subsequent film career spanned a total of 76 years, during which he made 31 musical films. He was named the fifth Greatest Male Star of All Time by the American Film Institute. He is particularly associated with Ginger Rogers, with whom he made ten films.
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Fredric March
Fredric March (August 31, 1897 – April 14, 1975) was an American stage and film actor. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1932 for Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and in 1946 for The Best Years of Our Lives.
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Gary Cooper
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Gary Giddins
Gary Giddins (born March 21, 1948) is an American jazz critic, author, and director, best known for his longtime work with The Village Voice. Born in Brooklyn, and raised on Long Island, Giddins graduated from Grinnell College, Iowa, in 1970. After some freelance work as a music and film critic, in 1974 he started writing his column "Weather Bird" for the Village Voice, which he ended in December 2003.
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Gene Hackman
Eugene Allen "Gene" Hackman (born January 30, 1930) is a retired American actor and novelist.
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George C. Scott
George Campbell Scott (October 18, 1927 – September 22, 1999) was an American stage and film actor, director and producer. He was best known for his bravura stage work, as well as his portrayal of General George S. Patton in the film Patton, and an early flamboyant film performance as General Buck Turgidson in Stanley Kubrick's Dr. Strangelove. He has also widely been known for his rather gravelly voice.
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Grace Kelly
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Gracie Fields
Dame Gracie Fields, DBE (born Grace Stansfield, 9 January 1898 – 27 September 1979), was an English-born, later Italian-based actress, singer and comedienne and star of both cinema and music hall.
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Gregory Peck
Gregory Peck (April 5, 1916 – June 12, 2003) was an American actor.
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Gus Arnheim
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Hal B. Wallis
Hal B. Wallis, C.B.E. (born Harold Brent Wallis; September 14, 1898 – October 5, 1986) was an American motion picture producer.
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Hal Roach
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Harry Barris
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Harry Crosby (actor)
Harry Lillis Crosby III (born 8 August 1958) is an American actor, singer and investment banker.
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Hillbilly
Hillbilly is a term referring to people who dwell in rural, mountainous areas of the United States, primarily Appalachia. Due to its strongly stereotypical connotations, the term is frequently considered derogatory, and so is usually offensive to those Americans of Appalachian heritage. However, the term is also used in celebration of their culture by the mountain people themselves.
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Humphrey Bogart
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Ian McKellen
Sir Ian Murray McKellen, CH, CBE (born 25 May 1939) is an English actor. He has received a Tony Award and two Academy Award nominations. His work has spanned genres from Shakespearean and modern theatre to popular fantasy and science fiction. He is known to many for roles such as Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings film trilogy and as Magneto in the X-Men films.
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Inger Stevens
Inger Stevens (born Inger Stensland, October 18, 1934April 30, 1970) was a Swedish-American movie and TV actress.
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Irving Berlin
Irving Berlin (May 11, 1888September 22, 1989) was an American composer and lyricist, widely considered one of the greatest songwriters in history.
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J.R. Ewing
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Jack Benny
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Jack Lemmon
John Uhler "Jack" Lemmon III (February 8, 1925 – June 27, 2001) was an American actor. He starred in more than 60 films including Some Like It Hot, The Apartment, Mister Roberts (for which he won the 1955 Best Supporting Actor Academy Award), Days of Wine and Roses, The Great Race, Irma la Douce, The Odd Couple, Save the Tiger (for which he won the 1973 Best Actor Academy Award), The Out-of-Towners, The China Syndrome, Missing, Glengarry Glen Ross, Grumpy Old Men and Grumpier Old Men.
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Jack Mullin
John T. "Jack" Mullin (1913–1999) was an American pioneer in the field of magnetic tape sound recording and made significant contributions to many other related fields. From his days at Santa Clara University to his death, he displayed a deep appreciation for classical music and an aptitude for electronics and engineering. When he died in 1999, he was buried with a rosary and a reel of magnetic tape. A 2006 documentary movie, , was made about his life and contributions to sound recording.
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Jack Nicholson
John Joseph "Jack" Nicholson (born April 22, 1937) is an American actor, film director and producer. He is renowned for his often dark-themed portrayals of neurotic characters.
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Jack Warner
:This article is about Jack Warner, the head of Warner Brothers. For other people named Jack Warner, see Jack Warner (disambiguation).
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Jackie Robinson
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James Cagney
James Francis Cagney, Jr. (July 17, 1899 – March 30, 1986) was an American film actor. Although he won acclaim and major awards for a wide variety of roles, he is best remembered for playing "tough guys." In 1999, the American Film Institute ranked him eighth among the Greatest Male Stars of All Time.
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James Cavanaugh
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James Mason
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James Stewart
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Jamie Foxx
Eric Marlon Bishop (born December 13, 1967), professionally known as Jamie Foxx, is an American actor, stand-up comedian, and singer. As an actor, his work in the film Ray earned him the Academy Award and BAFTA Award for Best Actor as well as the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a musical/comedy. He is also a Grammy Award winning musician, producing two albums which have charted highly on the Billboard 200: Unpredictable, which topped the chart, and Intuition.
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Jason Robards
Jason Nelson Robards, Jr. (July 26, 1922 – December 26, 2000) was an American actor on stage and in film and television and a winner of the Tony Award (theatre), two Academy Awards (film) and the Emmy Award (television). He was also a United States Navy combat veteran of World War II.
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Jean Hersholt
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Jesse Eisenberg
Jesse Adam Eisenberg (born October 5, 1983) is an American actor. He has played featured or starring roles in films such as The Squid and the Whale (2005), Adventureland (2009), Zombieland (2009), and The Social Network (2010).
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Jimmy Dorsey
James "Jimmy" Dorsey (February 29, 1904 – June 12, 1957) was a prominent American jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, trumpeter, composer, and big band leader. He was known as "JD". He composed the standards "I'm Glad There is You (In This World of Ordinary People)" and "It's the Dreamer in Me".
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Joan Crawford
Joan Crawford (March 23, 1905 – May 10, 1977), born Lucille Fay LeSueur, was an American actress in film, television and theatre. Starting as a dancer in traveling theatrical companies before debuting on Broadway, Crawford was signed to a motion picture contract by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1925. Initially frustrated by the size and quality of her parts, Crawford began a campaign of self-publicity and became nationally known as a flapper by the end of the 1920s. In the 1930s, Crawford's fame rivaled MGM colleagues Norma Shearer and Greta Garbo. Crawford often played hardworking young women who find romance and financial success. These "rags-to-riches" stories were well-received by Depression-era audiences and were popular with women. Crawford became one of Hollywood's most prominent movie stars and one of the highest paid women in the United States, but her films began losing money and by the end of the 1930s she was labeled "box office poison".
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Joel Whitburn
Joel Carver Whitburn (born November 29, 1939; Wauwatosa, Wisconsin) is an American author and music historian.
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John Gilliland
[[Image:Ksfojohn.gif|frame|"John Gilliland at KSFO, c. 1971" Courtesy of [http://www.library.unt.edu/resolveuid/2778cba10090c91e58ce2854519b940a The John Gilliland Collection].]]
http://wn.com/John_Gilliland -
John Travolta
John Joseph Travolta (born February 18, 1954) is an American actor, dancer and singer. He first became known in the 1970s, after appearing on the television series Welcome Back, Kotter and starring in the box office successes Saturday Night Fever and Grease. Travolta's career re-surged in the 1990s, with his role in Pulp Fiction, and he has since continued starring in Hollywood films, including Face/Off, Ladder 49 and Wild Hogs.
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John Wayne
http://wn.com/John_Wayne -
Jon Voight
Jonathan Vincent "Jon" Voight (born December 29, 1938) is an American film and television actor. He came to prominence at the end of the 1960s, with a performance as a would-be gigolo in 1969's Best Picture winner, Midnight Cowboy, for which he earned his first Academy Award nomination. Throughout the following decades, Voight built his reputation with an array of challenging roles, appearing in such landmark films as Deliverance (1972), and Coming Home (1978), for which he received an Academy Award for Best Actor. Voight's portrayal of sportscaster/journalist Howard Cosell, in the 2001 biopic Ali, earned critical raves and his fourth Oscar nomination. He starred in the seventh season of 24 as the villain Jonas Hodges.
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Joseph E. Levine
http://wn.com/Joseph_E_Levine -
José Ferrer
http://wn.com/José_Ferrer -
Judy Garland
http://wn.com/Judy_Garland -
Kathryn Crosby
Kathryn Crosby (born November 25, 1933) is an American actress and singer who performed her most memorable roles under the stage-name Kathryn Grant.
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Kirk Douglas
http://wn.com/Kirk_Douglas -
Larry Crosby
http://wn.com/Larry_Crosby -
Laurel and Hardy
Laurel and Hardy were one of the most popular comedy teams of the early to mid Classical Hollywood era of American cinema. Composed of thin, English-born Stan Laurel (1890–1965) and heavy, American-born Oliver Hardy (1892–1957) they became well known during the late 1920s to the mid-1940s for their work in motion pictures; the team also appeared on stage throughout America and Europe.
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Laurence Olivier
http://wn.com/Laurence_Olivier -
Lee Marvin
Lee Marvin (February 19, 1924 – August 29, 1987) was an American film actor. Known for his gravelly voice, white hair and 6' 2" stature, Marvin at first did supporting roles, mostly villains, soldiers and other hardboiled characters, but after winning an Academy Award for Best Actor for his dual roles in Cat Ballou (1965), he landed more heroic and sympathetic leading roles.
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Les Paul
http://wn.com/Les_Paul -
Lindsay C. Howard
Lindsay Coleman Howard (March 31, 1904 - September 6, 1971) was an American sportsman. The son of the prominent businessman and Thoroughbred racehorse owner, Charles S. Howard, Lindsay Howard began riding horses at a young age and by the early 1930s had developed into a top class polo player. He captained the San Mateo Hurricanes that played in the Pacific Coast Inter-circuit Cup Polo Championship against such teams as the Midwick Country Club, captained by Neil McCarthy.[http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/379867541.html?dids=379867541:379867541&FMT;=ABS&FMTS;=ABS:AI&type;=historic&date;=Mar+21,+1932&author;=&pub;=Los+Angeles+Times&desc;=HURRICANES+COP+TROPHY&pqatl;=google] Lindsay Howard and his brother Robert frequently played matches in Argentina, the polo capital of the world, and they and friend Bing Crosby decided to establish "Caballeriza Binglin Stock Farm" near Buenos Aires where they purchased a number of locally bred horses and shipped them back to the United States.
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Lindsay Crosby
Lindsay Harry Crosby (January 5, 1938 - December 11, 1989) was an American actor and singer.
http://wn.com/Lindsay_Crosby -
Louis Armstrong
http://wn.com/Louis_Armstrong -
Mack Sennett
Mack Sennett (January 17, 1880 – November 5, 1960) was a Canadian-born American director and was known as the innovator of slapstick comedy in film. During his lifetime he was known at times as the "King of Comedy". His short "Wrestling Swordfish" was awarded the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film in 1932 and he earned an Academy Honorary Award in 1937.
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Marlon Brando
http://wn.com/Marlon_Brando -
Matty Malneck
Matty Malneck (December 9, 1903 - February 25, 1981) was an American jazz violinist, violist and songwriter.
http://wn.com/Matty_Malneck -
Maurice Chevalier
Maurice Auguste Chevalier (September 12, 1888 – January 1, 1972) was a French actor, singer, and popular vaudeville entertainer. Chevalier's signature songs included "Louise", "Mimi", "Valentine", and "Thank Heaven for Little Girls". His trademark was a boater hat, which he always wore on stage with his tuxedo (dinner jacket).
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Max Bell
http://wn.com/Max_Bell -
Mervyn LeRoy
Mervyn LeRoy (October 15, 1900 - September 13, 1987) was an American film director, producer and sometime actor.
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Michael Douglas
Michael Kirk Douglas (born September 25, 1944) is an American actor and producer, primarily in movies and television. He has won three Golden Globes and two Academy Awards, first as producer of 1975's Best Picture, ''One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and as Best Actor in 1987 for his role in Wall Street''. Douglas received the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2009.
http://wn.com/Michael_Douglas -
Michael Redgrave
http://wn.com/Michael_Redgrave -
Mike Pecarovich
http://wn.com/Mike_Pecarovich -
Mildred Bailey
Mildred Bailey (February 27, 1907 – December 12, 1951) was a popular and influential American jazz singer during the 1930s, known as "Mrs. Swing". Her number one hits were "Please Be Kind", "Darn That Dream", and "Says My Heart".
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Morgan Freeman
Morgan Porterfield Freeman, Jr. (born June 1, 1937) is an American actor, film director, and narrator. He is noted for his reserved demeanor and authoritative speaking voice.
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Murdo MacKenzie
http://wn.com/Murdo_MacKenzie -
Nathaniel Crosby
Nathaniel Patrick Crosby (born October 29, 1961) is an American golfer.
http://wn.com/Nathaniel_Crosby -
Ned Washington
http://wn.com/Ned_Washington -
Nicolas Cage
Nicolas Cage (born Nicolas Kim Coppola; January 7, 1964) is an American actor, producer and director, having appeared in over 60 films including Face/Off (1997), Gone In 60 Seconds (2000), National Treasure (2004), Ghost Rider (2007), (2009), and Kick-Ass (2010). Cage, at age 32, became the fifth youngest actor ever to win the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in Leaving Las Vegas.
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Orson Welles
http://wn.com/Orson_Welles -
Paul Lukas
http://wn.com/Paul_Lukas -
Paul Newman
http://wn.com/Paul_Newman -
Paul Scofield
David Paul Scofield, CH, CBE (21 January 1922 – 19 March 2008), better known as Paul Scofield, was an English actor of stage and screen. Noted for his distinctive voice and delivery, Scofield received an Academy Award and a BAFTA Award for his performance as Sir Thomas More in the 1966 film A Man for All Seasons, a reprise of the role he played in the stage version at the West End and on Broadway for which he received a Tony Award.
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Paul Whiteman
Paul Samuel Whiteman (March 28, 1890 – December 29, 1967) was an American bandleader and orchestral director.
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People (magazine)
People (originally called People Weekly) is a weekly American magazine of celebrity and human-interest stories, published by Time Inc. As of 2006, it has a circulation of 3.75 million and revenue expected to top $1.5 billion. It was named "Magazine of the Year" by Advertising Age in October 2005, for excellence in editorial, circulation and advertising. People ranked #6 on Advertising Age's annual "A-list" and #3 on ''Adweek's'' "Brand Blazers" list in October 2006.
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Perry Como
Pierino Ronald "Perry" Como (May 18, 1912 – May 12, 2001) was an American singer and television personality. During a career spanning more than half a century he recorded exclusively for the RCA Victor label after signing with it in 1943. "Mr. C.", as he was nicknamed, sold millions of records for Radio Corporation of America (RCA) and pioneered a weekly musical variety television show, which set the standards for the genre and proved to be one of the most successful in television history. His combined success on television and popular recordings was not matched by any other artist of the time. A popular television performer and recording artist, Perry Como produced numerous hit records with record sales so high the label literally stopped counting at Como's behest. His weekly television shows and seasonal specials were broadcast throughout the world and his popularity seemingly had no geographical or language boundaries. Como's appeal spanned generations and he was widely respected for both his professional standards and the conduct in his personal life. In the official RCA Records Billboard magazine memorial, his life was summed up in these few words: "50 years of music and a life well lived. An example to all." Composer Ervin Drake said of him,"... [o]ccasionally someone like Perry comes along and won't 'go with the flow' and still prevails in spite of all the bankrupt others who surround him and importune him to yield to their values. Only occasionally."
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Peter O'Toole
'''Peter Seamus Lorcan O'Toole' (born 2 August 1932) is an Irish actor of stage and screen who achieved stardom in 1962 playing T. E. Lawrence in Lawrence of Arabia''. He went on to become a highly-honoured film and stage actor. He has been nominated for eight Academy Awards, and holds the record for most competitive Academy Award acting nominations without a win. He has won four Golden Globes, a BAFTA, an Emmy and was the recipient of an Honorary Academy Award in 2003 for his body of work.
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Peter Sellers
Peter Sellers, OBE (born Richard Henry Sellers, 8 September 1925 – 24 July 1980), was a British comedian and actor best known for his roles in Dr. Strangelove, as Chief Inspector Clouseau in The Pink Panther film series, as Clare Quilty in the original 1962 screen version of Lolita, and as the man-child, Chance the gardener, in his penultimate film, Being There.
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Phil Harris
http://wn.com/Phil_Harris -
Phillip Crosby
http://wn.com/Phillip_Crosby -
Pope Pius XII
http://wn.com/Pope_Pius_XII -
Ray Milland
http://wn.com/Ray_Milland -
Raúl Juliá
http://wn.com/Raúl_Juliá -
Rex Harrison
http://wn.com/Rex_Harrison -
Richard Basehart
John Richard Basehart (August 31, 1914 – September 17, 1984) was an American actor. He starred in the 1960s television science fiction drama Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, in the role of Admiral Harriman Nelson.
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Roaring Lion
Roaring Lion (born Rafael de Leon, Aroquita, Trinidad, British Trinidad and Tobago, 22 February 1908 11 July 1999) was a calypsonian (calypso singer/composer). His 65-year career began in the early 1930s and he is best known for his compositions "Ugly Woman" (1933), "Mary Ann" and "Netty, Netty," which are still performed today.
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Robert Mitchum
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Robert Ryan
Robert Bushnell Ryan (November 11, 1909 – July 11, 1973) was an American actor who often played hardened cops and ruthless villains.
http://wn.com/Robert_Ryan -
Robin Williams
Robin McLaurim Williams (born July 21, 1951) is an American actor and comedian.
http://wn.com/Robin_Williams -
Ronald Colman
Ronald Charles Colman (9 February 1891 – 19 May 1958) was an English actor.
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Rosemary Clooney
Rosemary Clooney (May 23, 1928 – June 29, 2002) was an American singer and actress. She came to prominence in the early 1950s with the novelty hit "Come On-a My House" written by William Saroyan and his cousin Ross Bagdasarian (David Seville) creator of Alvin and the Chipmunks, which was followed by other pop numbers such as "Botch-a-Me" (a cover version of the Italian song Ba-Ba-Baciami Piccina by Alberto Rabagliati), "Mambo Italiano", "Tenderly", "Half as Much", "Hey There" and "This Ole House", though she would go on to success as a jazz vocalist.
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Roy Turk
http://wn.com/Roy_Turk -
Russ Columbo
Ruggiero Eugenio di Rodolpho Colombo (January 14, 1908 – September 2, 1934), better known as Russ Columbo, was an American singer, violinist and actor, most famous for his signature tune, "You Call It Madness, But I Call It Love," his compositions "Prisoner of Love" and "Too Beautiful For Words", and the legend surrounding his early death.
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Russell Crowe
Russell Ira Crowe (born 7 April 1964) is a New Zealand-born, naturalised Australian actor and musician. His acting career began in the late 1980s with roles in Australian TV series such as Police Rescue, Neighbours and in the early 1990s with films such as Romper Stomper. In the late 1990s, he began appearing in US films such as the 1997 movie L.A. Confidential. He has been nominated for three Oscars, and in 2001, he won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his starring role in the film Gladiator. He also won the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for A Beautiful Mind. Crowe is also co-owner of National Rugby League team the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
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Samuel Goldwyn
Samuel Goldwyn (August 17, 1879 January 31, 1974) was an American film producer, and founding contributor executive of several motion picture studios.
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Sean Penn
Sean Justin Penn (born August 17, 1960) is an American film actor and director, also known for his political activism. He is a two-time Academy Award winner for his roles in Mystic River and Milk, as well as the recipient of a Golden Globe Award for the former and a Screen Actors Guild Award for the latter.
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Spencer Tracy
Spencer Bonaventure Tracy (April 5, 1900 – June 10, 1967) was an American theatrical and film actor, who appeared in 74 films from 1930 to 1967. In 1999, the American Film Institute ranked Tracy ninth among the Greatest Male Stars of All Time. He was nominated for nine Academy Awards for Best Actor in all, winning two.
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Stephen King
Stephen Edwin King (born September 21, 1947) is an American author of contemporary horror, suspense, science fiction and fantasy fiction. His books have sold more than 500 million copies and have been made into many movies. He is known for novels such as Carrie, The Shining, The Stand, It, Misery, and the seven-novel series The Dark Tower, which King wrote over a period of 27 years. As of 2010, King has written and published 49 novels, including seven under the pen name Richard Bachman, five non-fiction books, and nine collections of short stories including Night Shift, Skeleton Crew, and ''Everything's Eventual''. Many of his stories are set in his homestate of Maine. He has collaborated with authors Peter Straub and Stewart O'Nan. Some of his novels have been also been turned into comic books, such are The Stand, The Talisman, and The Dark Tower series.
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The Shadow
The Shadow is a collection of serialized dramas, originally in pulp magazines, then on 1930s radio and then in a wide variety of media, that follow the exploits of the title character, a crime-fighting vigilante with psychic powers. One of the most famous pulp heroes of the 20th century, The Shadow has been featured in comic books, comic strips, television, video games, and at least five motion pictures. The radio drama is well-remembered for those episodes voiced by Orson Welles.
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Thelonious Monk
http://wn.com/Thelonious_Monk -
Tiger Woods
Eldrick Tont "Tiger" Woods (born December 30, 1975) is an American professional golfer whose achievements to date rank him among the most successful golfers of all time. Currently the World No. 1, he is the highest-paid professional athlete in the world, having earned an estimated $90.5 million from winnings and endorsements in 2010.
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Tom Cruise
Thomas Cruise Mapother IV (; born July 3, 1962), better known by his screen name of Tom Cruise, is an American film actor and producer. He has been nominated for three Academy Awards and won three Golden Globe Awards. His first leading role was the 1983 film Risky Business, which has been described as "A Generation X classic, and a career-maker" for the actor. After playing the role of a heroic naval pilot in the popular and financially successful 1986 film Top Gun, Cruise continued in this vein, playing a secret agent in a series of action films in the 1990s and 2000s. In addition to these heroic roles, he has starred in many other successful films such as Jerry Maguire (1996), Magnolia (1999), Vanilla Sky (2001), Minority Report (2002), The Last Samurai (2003), Collateral (2004) and War of the Worlds (2005).
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Tom Hanks
Thomas Jeffrey "Tom" Hanks (born July 9, 1956) is an American actor, producer, writer and director. Hanks worked in television and family-friendly comedies, gaining wide notice in 1988's Big, before achieving success as a dramatic actor in several notable roles, including Andrew Beckett in Philadelphia, the title role in Forrest Gump, Commander James A. Lovell in Apollo 13, Captain John H. Miller in Saving Private Ryan, Joe Fox in ''You've Got Mail and Chuck Noland in Cast Away. Hanks won consecutive Best Actor Academy Awards, in 1993 for Philadelphia and in 1994 for Forrest Gump''. U.S. domestic box office totals for his films exceed $3.9 billion. He is the father of actor Colin Hanks.
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Tuesday Weld
Tuesday Weld (born August 27, 1943) is an American actress.
http://wn.com/Tuesday_Weld -
Victor Banerjee
http://wn.com/Victor_Banerjee -
Victor Sjöström
(in the United States sometimes known as Victor Seastrom) (20 September 1879 – 3 January 1960) was a Swedish actor, screenwriter, and film director.
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Walt Disney
http://wn.com/Walt_Disney -
Walter Huston
Walter Huston (; April 6, 1884 – April 7, 1950) was a Canadian-born American actor. He was the father of actor and director John Huston and the grandfather of actress Anjelica Huston and actor Danny Huston.
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Warren Beatty
Warren Beatty (, ; born March 30, 1937) is an American actor, producer, screenwriter and director.
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Wendell Willkie
Wendell Lewis Willkie (; February 18, 1892 – October 8, 1944) was a corporate lawyer in the United States and was the dark horse Republican Party nominee for the 1940 presidential election, where he crusaded against the policies of the New Deal, which he thought were inefficient and anti-business, but waffled on the issue of intervention or isolation in the world war that Nazi Germany was winning. His opponent Franklin D. Roosevelt won a third term, with 55% of the popular vote and 85% of the electoral vote. Roosevelt found Willkie to be a compatible liberal and brought him aboard as a special ambassador-at-large. Willkie criss-crossed the globe, bringing home a vision of "One World" freed from imperialism and colonialism. His liberalism lost him supporters in the GOP and he dropped out of the 1944 race, then died of a heart attack.
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William Holden
actor
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Yul Brynner
http://wn.com/Yul_Brynner
Crosby, Bing Filmography
- My Music: When Irish Eyes Are Smiling (2010)
- Johnny Mercer: The Dream's on Me (2009)
- Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical Treasure (2008)
- I.O.U.S.A. (2008)
- WWE Tribute for the Troops (2008)
- Jack Taylor of Beverly Hills (2007)
- The Legendary Crooners (2007)
- World of Robin Hood (2006)
- Nick & Jessica's Family Christmas (2004)
- Andy Williams: My Favorite Duets (2004)
- Rosemary Clooney: Singing at Her Best (2004)
- The Nick at Nite Holiday Special (2003)
- Hollywood's Magical Island: Catalina (2003)
- Bob Hope at 100 (2003)
- Christmas from Hollywood (2003)
- Mwah! The Best of the Dinah Shore Show (2003)
- True Love (2003)
- Mayor of the Sunset Strip (2003)
- The True Story of Seabiscuit (2003)
- America's Favorite Funnyman (2002)
- World of Comedy (2002)
- Sinatra: The Classic Duets (2002)
- 'White Christmas': A Look Back with Rosemary Clooney (2000)
- ABC 2000: The Millennium (1999)
- Mighty Mo: The Many Lives of the USS Missouri (1998)
- A Bing Crosby Christmas (1998)
- Bob Hope: Celebrity Bloopers (1997)
- Christmas Unwrapped: The History of Christmas (1997)
- Off the Menu: The Last Days of Chasen's (1997)
- 50,000,000 Joe Franklin Fans Can't Be Wrong (1997)
- Judy Garland's Hollywood (1997)
- Barbara Walters: 20 Years at ABC (1996)
- Bob Hope: Hollywood's Brightest Star (1996)
- 50 Years of Funny Females (1995)
- The First 100 Years: A Celebration of American Movies (1995)
- Songs That Won the War (1994)
- Television's Christmas Classics (1994)
- Entertaining the Troops (1994)
- That's Entertainment! III (1994)
- Bob Hope's Bag Full of Christmas Memories (1993)
- The Carol Burnett Show: A Reunion (1993)
- Bob Hope: The First 90 Years (1993)
- Legends of Comedy (1992)
- The Magic of Bing Crosby (1991)
- Frank Sinatra: The Voice of Our Time (1990)
- That's Black Entertainment (1990)
- Hollywood on Parade (1990)
- Michael Jackson: The Legend Continues (1988)
- Classic Comedy Teams (1986)
- Unrehearsed Antics of the Stars (1984)
- Halloween Treat (1982)
- Showbiz Goes to War (1982)
- Margret Dünser, auf der Suche nach den Besonderen (1981)
- Bob Hope's Overseas Christmas Tours: Around the World with the Troops - 1941-1972 (1980)
- The Hollywood Clowns (1979)
- Mean Dog Blues (1978)
- Bing Crosby: His Life and Legend (1978)
- Steve & Eydie Celebrate Irving Berlin (1978)
- Texaco Presents Bob Hope in a Very Special Special: On the Road with Bing (1977)
- Music My Way (1977)
- Bing Crosby's Merrie Olde Christmas (1977)
- It's Showtime (1976)
- That's Entertainment, Part II (1976)
- The Bell Telephone Jubilee (1976)
- Bing Crosby's White Christmas (1976)
- Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire: A Couple of Song and Dance Men (1975)
- Brother Can You Spare a Dime (1975)
- That's Entertainment! (1974)
- That's Entertainment! (1974)
- That's Entertainment! (1974)
- Just One More Time (1974)
- Bing Crosby and His Friends (1972)
- The World of Sport Fishing (1972)
- Cancel My Reservation (1972)
- Ben (1972)
- Goldilocks (1971)
- Willard (1971)
- Dr. Cook's Garden (1971)
- Ver-r-r-ry Interesting (1971)
- Goldilocks (1971)
- Monsanto Presents Mancini (1971)
- Swing Out, Sweet Land (1970)
- Bing Crosby and Carol Burnett: Together Again for the First Time (1969)
- The Private Navy of Sgt. O'Farrell (1968)
- Bing Crosby's Washington State (1968)
- The Movie Orgy (1968)
- Stagecoach (1966)
- Cinerama's Russian Adventure (1966)
- Hollywood My Home Town (1965)
- Bing Crosby in Dublin (1965)
- Bob Hope Christmas Show (1965)
- Robin and the 7 Hoods (1964)
- The Bing Crosby Show (1964)
- Bob Hope Comedy Special (1963)
- The Sound of Laughter (1963)
- The Road to Hong Kong (1962)
- The Bing Crosby Show (1961)
- High Time (1960)
- Let's Make Love (1960)
- Pepe (1960)
- High Time (1960)
- The Bing Crosby Special (1959)
- Bing Crosby and Dean Martin Present High Hopes (1959)
- Alias Jesse James (1959)
- Say One for Me (1959)
- The Bing Crosby Show (1959)
- The Bing Crosby Show (1959)
- Bing Crosby and His Friends (1958)
- The Bing Crosby Special (1958)
- The Edsel Show (1957)
- Man on Fire (1957)
- The Edsel Show (1957)
- The Heart of Show Business (1957)
- The 29th Annual Academy Awards (1957)
- Anything Goes (1956)
- Showdown at Ulcer Gulch (1956)
- Bing Presents Oreste (1956)
- High Society (1956)
- The 27th Annual Academy Awards (1955)
- Hollywood Mothers and Fathers (1955)
- The Country Girl (1954)
- The Bing Crosby Show (1954)
- White Christmas (1954)
- The Bing Crosby Special (1954)
- The Bing Crosby Show (1954)
- The Ford 50th Anniversary Show (1953)
- Off Limits (1953)
- Scared Stiff (1953)
- Little Boy Lost (1953)
- Crusade for Prayer (1952)
- The Greatest Show on Earth (1952)
- Road to Bali (1952)
- Just for You (1952)
- Screen Snapshots: Memories of Famous Hollywood Comedians (1952)
- Son of Paleface (1952)
- Here Comes the Groom (1951)
- Angels in the Outfield (1951)
- The Cinematographer (1951)
- Red Cross Fund Program (1951)
- You Can Change the World (1951)
- Riding High (1950)
- Screen Actors (1950)
- Alberta Vacation (1950)
- Mr. Music (1950)
- Moments in Music (1950)
- The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949)
- A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court (1949)
- Top o' the Morning (1949)
- The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (1949)
- Jolson Sings Again (1949)
- Screen Snapshots: Hollywood's Happy Homes (1949)
- Down Memory Lane (1949)
- The Emperor Waltz (1948)
- Welcome Stranger (1947)
- Road to Rio (1947)
- The Road to Hollywood (1947)
- Variety Girl (1947)
- My Favorite Brunette (1947)
- Blue Skies (1946)
- Road to Utopia (1946)
- Road to Utopia (1946)
- Screen Snapshots Series 25, No. 10: Famous Fathers and Sons (1946)
- Abie's Irish Rose (1946)
- The All-Star Bond Rally (1945)
- Hollywood Victory Caravan (1945)
- Out of This World (1945)
- The Great John L. (1945)
- Duffy's Tavern (1945)
- The Bells of St. Mary's (1945)
- Screen Snapshots Series 25, No. 4: Hollywood Celebrations (1945)
- The Princess and the Pirate (1944)
- Going My Way (1944)
- Road to Victory (1944)
- Here Come the Waves (1944)
- Don't Hook Now (1943)
- Show-Business at War (1943)
- Dixie (1943)
- They Got Me Covered (1943)
- My Favorite Blonde (1942)
- Holiday Inn (1942)
- Road to Morocco (1942)
- Star Spangled Rhythm (1942)
- Birth of the Blues (1941)
- Angels of Mercy (1941)
- Road to Zanzibar (1941)
- Meet the Stars #6: Stars at Play (1941)
- Swing with Bing (1940)
- Screen Snapshots Series 19, No 6: Hollywood Recreations (1940)
- Road to Singapore (1940)
- Rhythm on the River (1940)
- If I Had My Way (1940)
- Screen Snapshots Series 18, No. 9 (1939)
- East Side of Heaven (1939)
- Paris Honeymoon (1939)
- The Star Maker (1939)
- Dr. Rhythm (1938)
- Screen Snapshots Series 18, No. 4 (1938)
- Sing You Sinners (1938)
- Hollywood Handicap (1938)
- Waikiki Wedding (1937)
- Double or Nothing (1937)
- Screen Snapshots Series 16, No. 5 (1937)
- Pennies from Heaven (1936)
- Rhythm on the Range (1936)
- Anything Goes (1936)
- Two for Tonight (1935)
- The Big Broadcast of 1936 (1935)
- Mississippi (1935)
- Here Is My Heart (1934)
- She Loves Me Not (1934)
- Just an Echo (1934)
- We're Not Dressing (1934)
- Star Night at the Cocoanut Grove (1934)
- Please (1933)
- Hollywood on Parade No. A-9 (1933)
- Hollywood on Parade No. 11 (1933)
- Too Much Harmony (1933)
- Going Hollywood (1933)
- College Humor (1933)
- Blue of the Night (1933)
- Sing, Bing, Sing (1933)
- Billboard Girl (1932)
- Hollywood on Parade (1932)
- Hollywood on Parade No. A-2 (1932)
- The Big Broadcast (1932)
- Dream House (1932)
- One More Chance (1931)
- Confessions of a Co-Ed (1931)
- I Surrender Dear (1931)
- The March of Time (1930)
- King of Jazz (1930)
- Two Plus Fours (1930)
- Reaching for the Moon (1930)
Bing Crosby was the fourth of seven children of Tacoma, Washington, brewery bookkeeper Harry Lowe Crosby and Kate Harrigan Crosby. He studied law at Gonzaga University in Spokane but was more interested in playing the drums and singing with a local band. Bing and the band's piano player, 'Al Rinker' (qv), left Spokane for Los Angeles in 1925. In the early 1930s Bing's brother Everett sent a record of Bing singing "I Surrender, Dear" to the president of CBS. His live performances from New York were carried over the national radio network for 20 consecutive weeks in 1932. His radio success led Paramount Pictures to include him in _The Big Broadcast (1932)_ (qv), a film featuring radio favorites. His songs about not needing a bundle of money to make life happy was the right message for the decade of the Great Depression. His relaxed, low-key style carried over into the series of "Road" comedies he made with pal 'Bob Hope (I)' (qv). He won the best actor Oscar for playing an easygoing priest in _Going My Way (1944)_ (qv). He showed that he was indeed an actor as well as a performer when he played an alcoholic actor down on his luck opposite 'Grace Kelly (I)' (qv) in _The Country Girl (1954)_ (qv). Playing golf was what he liked to do best. He died at age 74 playing golf at a course outside Madrid, Spain, after completing a tour of England that had included a sold-out engagement at the London Palladium.
RELEASE
ALBUMS
- Jingle Bells
- Sleight Ride
- White Christmas
- Deck the Halls / Away in a Manger / O Little Town of Bethlehem / The First Noel
- Adeste Fidelis / O Come All Ye Faithful
- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
- The Christmas Song
- Santa Claus Is Comming to Town
- Silent Night
- The Little Drummer Boy / Peace on Earth
- Return to Paradise
- The Hukilau Song
- The Old Plantation
- Lovely Hula Hands
- Love and Aloha
- Keep Your Eyes on the Hands
- Adventures in Paradise
- Frangipani Blossom
- Forevermore
- Farewell My Tane
- Beautiful Kahana
- Home in Hawaii (King's Serenade)
- Return to Paradise (False Start and Studio Chatter)
- My Little Grass Shack
- The Cockeyed Mayor of Kaunakakai
- Yaaka Hula Hickey Dula
- Ukulele Lady
- King's Serenade
- If I Give My Heart to You
- Mandy
- Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep
- I'm a Fool to Care
- Hey There
- Anyone Can Fall in Love
- I Need You Now
- I Want to Be Happy
- Keepin' Out of Mischief Now
- But Not for Me
- Honeysuckle Rose
- The Nearness of You
- Ain't Misbehavin'
- Just You, Just Me
- Once in a While
- You Took Advantage of Me
- Ol' Man River
- Thou Swell
- 'S Wonderful
- Oh, Look at Me Now
- I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm
- All Through the Night
- Taking a Chance on Love
- White Christmas
- Adeste Fidelis
- Silver Bells
- Medley: Deck the Halls / Away in a Manger / O' Little Town of Bethlehem / The First Noel
- Silent Night
- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
- God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
- Sleigh Ride in July
- I'll Be Home for Christmas
- Faith of Our Fathers
- Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
- Here Comes Santa Claus
- Happy Holiday
- Jingle Bells
- You're All I Want for Christmas
- The First Noel
- Twelve Days of Christmas
- Let's Start the New Year Right
- True Love (feat. Grace Kelly)
- White Christmas
- Swinging on a Star
- Dear Hearts and Gentle People
- Don't Fence Me In (feat. Andrew Sisters)
- Welcome to My Dream
- Blue Skies
- I'm Through With You
- The Ol' Spring Fever
- I'm a Old Cow Hand
- Moonlight Becomes You
- Pistol Packin' Mama (feat. Andrew Sisters)
- I Kiss Your Hand, Madame
- Now Is the Hour
- Beyond the Reef
- You Are Too Beautiful
- Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral
- Where the Blue of the Night
- What's New
- (You Know It All) Smarty
- Where the Blue of the Night (Meets the Gold of the Day)
- Stardust
- Blue Hawaii
- Pennies From Heaven
- Sweet Lellani
- You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby
- Home on the Range
- White Christmas
- Sunday, Monday or Always
- Swinging on a Star
- Too Ra Loo Ra Loo Ra! (That's an Irish Lullaby)
- Don't Fence Me In
- Road to Morocco
- It's Been a Long, Long Time
- Macnamara's Band
- Alexanders Ragtime Band
- Now Is the Hour (Maori Farewell Song)
- Dear Hearts and Gentle People
- Play a Simple Melody
- In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening
- Ol' Man River
- Around the World in Eighty Days
- The Yodel Blues
- So in Love
- Someplace on Anywhere Road
- So Tall a Tree
- This is the Time
- And You'll Be Home
- Milady
- The Best Thing for You
- Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo
- Silver Moon
- Don't Ever Be Afraid to Go Home
- On the 10.10 From Ten-Ten-Tennessee
- Ohio
- Cela m'est égal
- What a Little Moonlight Can Do
- My Love, My Love
- Mon couer est un violin
- La vie en rose
- Embrasse-moi bien
- Liebchen
- The River
- It's Mine, It's Yours
- The Search Is Through
- The Land Around Us
- Let's Harmonize
- Jim, Johnny and Jonas
- Farewell
- White Christmas
- Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
- Winter Wonderland
- What Child Is This? / The Holly and the Ivy
- The Little Drummer Boy
- O Holy Night
- The Littlest Angel
- Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
- Hark! The Herald Angels Sing / It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
- Frosty the Snowman
- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
- I Wish You a Merry Christmas
- Do You Hear What I Hear?
- Pat-A-Pan / While Shepherds Watched Their Flock
- Christmas Dinner, Country Style
- Peace on Earth / Little Drummer Boy
- White Christmas
- It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas
- A Marshmallow World
- Jingle Bells
- Santa Claus Is Comin to Town
- Silent Night
- Silver Bells
- Mele Kalikimaka
- Here Comes Santa Claus
- Sleigh Ride
- The Christmas Song
- Twelve Days of Christmas
- The First Noel
- I'll Be Home for Christmas
- Peace on Earth / The Little Drummer Boy
- Danny Boy
- Dear Old Donegal
- I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen
- The Rose of Tralee
- St. Patrick's Day Parade
- When Irish Eyes Are Smiling
- Where the River Shannon Flows
- Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-rai (That's an Irish Lullaby)
- Did Your Mother Come From Ireland
- Galway Bay
- It's the Same Old Shillelagh
- My Girl's an Irish Girl
- That Tumbledown Shack in Athlone
- Two Shillelagh O'Sullivan
- Who Threw the Overalls in Mrs. Murphy's Chowder
- The Donovans
- Isle of Innisfree
- Eileen
- Tobermory Bay (aka Tobermorey Bay)
- With my Shillelagh Under my Arm
- How Can You Buy Kilarney
- April Showers
- When the Red, Red Robin Comes Bob Bob Bobbin' Along
- Back in Your Own Back Yard
- You Made Me Love You
- Waitin' for the Robert E. Lee
- I've Got the Sun in the Morning
- Early Days (feat. Always)
- Ma Blushin' Rosie
- Chat
- Swanee
- Chat
- Philco Commercial - Goof 2
- A Rainy Night in Rio
- Chat
- The One I Love Belongs to Somebody Else
- What Am I Goinna Do About You
- Chat
- Let Me Sing and I'm Happy
- Chat
- Rockabye Your Baby With a Dixie Melody
- Chat
- Who Paid the Rent for Mrs. Rip Van Winkle?
- 2nd Philco Commercial
- The Anniversary Song
- Announcement
- A Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight
- Oh Susannah
- In the Evening by the Moonlight/Hear Dem Bells
- Beautiful Dreamer
- On the Banks of the Wabash
- Chat
- Alabamy Bound
- I Can Dream, Can't I
- Toot, Toot, Tootsie
- Chat
- I Only Have Eyes for You
- Waitin' for the Robert E. Lee
- Bing Introduces Irving Berlin
- Oh, How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning
- Chat
- Lazy
- Chat
- Getting Nowhere
- All by Myself
- Alexander's Ragtime Band
- Easter Parade
- Goodnight Chat
- Swinging on a Star
- Moonlight Becomes You
- Don't Fence Me In (feat. the Andrews Sisters)
- Pennies From Heaven
- I Can't Begin to Tell You
- Alexander's Ragtime Band
- Brother, Can You Spare a Dime
- Only Forever
- I Love You
- Sweet Leilani
- Moon Got in My Eyes
- Please
- Love in Bloom
- Sunday, Monday or Always
- Bob White (Watcha Gonna Swing Tonight?) (feat. Connee Boswell)
- You Must Have Beena Beautiful Baby
- Play a Simple Melody
- Now Is the Hour (Maori Farewell Song)
- Do You Hear What I Hear?
- Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
- Winter Wonderland
- Hark! The Herald Angels Sing / It Came Upon a Midnight Clear (medley)
- The Littlest Angel
- The Little Drummer Boy
- Frosty the Snowman
- Christmas Dinner Country Style
- O Holy Night
- What Child Is This? / The Holly and the Ivy (medley)
- Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
- I Wish You a Merry Christmas
- Happy Holiday
- White Christmas
- Faith of Our Fathers
- God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
- Adeste Fideles
- Here Comes Santa Claus
- I'll Be Home for Christmas
- The First Noel
- You're All I Want for Christmas
- Medley: Deck the Halls, Away in a Manger, O'Little Town of Bethlehem, the First Noel
- Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer
- Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
- Silent Night
- Silver Bells
- Sleigh Ride in July
- Jingle Bells
- Twelve Days of Christmas
- Let's Start the New Year Right
- Swinging on a Star
- Don't Fence Me In
- Bing Introduces Strange Music
- Strange Music
- Tallahassee
- Peg O' My Heart
- Shoo Shoo Baby
- Bing Chats With the Andrews Sisters
- You Don't Have to Know the Language
- South America, Take It Away
- It's Magic
- The Night Has a Thousand Eyes
- But Beautiful
- Bing Introduces Nat 'King' Cole
- Bing Chats With Nat
- Sam's Song
- My Foolish Heart
- Them There Eyes
- Too Late Now
- Not Mine
- Bing Welcomes Back the Andrews Sisters
- I Can Dream, Can't I
- Sure Thing
- Bing Introduces Finale
- May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You
- Silent Night
- Adeste Fideles
- White Christmas
- God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
- Faith of Our Fathers
- I'll Be Home for Christmas
- Jingle Bells
- Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
- Silver Bells (feat. Carole Richards)
- It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas
- Christmas in Killarney
- Mele Kalikimaka (feat. Andrews Sisters)
- Swingin' on a Star
- Moonlight Becomes You
- I'll Be Seeing You
- Sunday, Monday or Always
- Red Sails in the Sunset
- Just One More Chance
- Where the Blue of the Night (Meets the Gold of the Day)
- Brother Can You Spare a Dime
- Pennies From Heaven
- Out of Nowhere
- Silent Night, Holy Night
- Please
- Mule Train
- It's Easy to Remember
- June in January
- White Christmas
- Don't Fence Me In
- Along the Navajo Trail
- (There'll Be a) Hot Time in the Town of Berlin (When the Yanks Go March)
- Route 66
- South Rampart Street Parade
- Quicksilver
- June in January
- Pennies From Heaven
- I've Got a Pocket Full of Dreams
- Moonlight Becomes You
- Sunday, Monday or Always
- Swinging on a Star
- The Bells of St. Mary's
- Blue Skies
- It's Been a Long, Long Time
- I Can't Begin to Tell You
- Ol' Man River
- You Are My Sunshine
- San Fernando Valley
- Sioux City Sue
- Dear Hearts and Gentle People
- Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy
- Jingle Bells
- I'll Be Home for Christmas
- Silent Night
- White Christmas
- Red Sails in the Sunset
- Now Is the Hour
- Far Away Places
- Harbor Lights
- Around the World
- I've Got the Girl!
- Pretty Lips
- Side by Side
- Magnolia (Mix the Lot - What Have You Got?)
- Mississippi Mud / I Left My Sugar Standing in the Rain
- Sweet Lil / Ain't She Sweet
- Five-Step
- I Won't Be Long Now
- Miss Annabelle Lee
- Sunshine
- What Price Lyrics?
- That's My Weakness Now
- Wa-Da-Da (Everybody's Doing It Now)
- Out-O'Town Gal
- That's Grandma
- Rhythm King
- Louise
- I Like to Do Things for You
- A Bench in the Park
- Them There Eyes
- Dear Hearts and Gentle People
- Play a Simple Melody
- Gone Fishin'
- Far Away Places
- I Can't Begin to Tell You
- Sam's Song
- Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?
- In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening
- Mule Train
- Sioux City Sue
- Ghost Riders in the Sky
- If I Loved You
- Night and Day
- A Fella With an Umbrella
- Day by Day
- Yah-Ta-Ta, Yah-Ta-Ta (Talk, Talk, Talk)
- Sparrow in the Tree Top
- The Day After Forever
- The Bells of St. Mary's
- Put It There Pal
- Evelina
- Going My Way
- You Belong to My Heart
- Galway Bay
- Now Is the Hour
- The Very Thought of You
- Cheek to Cheek
- Have You Met Miss Jones
- They All Laughed
- Don't Fence Me In (feat. The Andrews Sisters)
- A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square
- Anything You Can Do
- Stars Fell on Alabama
- You Are My Sunshine
- Road to Morocco (feat. Bob Hope)
- No Other Love
- Alexander's Ragtime Band (feat. Al Johnson)
- Where the Blue of the Night Meets the Gold of the Day
- Once in a While
- Spanish Eyes
- Now Is the Hour
- Moonlight Becomes You
- Feels Good Feels Right
- Dear Hearts & Gentle People
- I Can't Begin to Tell You
- I'm an Old Cowhand From the Rio Grande
- Pistol Packin Mama
- Seasons
- Too Ra Loo Ra Loo Ra
- Silent Night
- It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas
- Adeste Fideles
- God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
- Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town
- That Christmas Feeling
- Christmas Carols: Deck the Halls / Away in a Manger / I Saw Three Ships
- Jingle Bells
- Silent Night
- Christmas Is A-Comin'
- The First Noel
- I'll Be Home for Christmas
- Here Comes Santa Claus
- The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)
- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
- Silver Bells
- Sleigh Ride
- I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
- White Christmas
- Bye Bye Baby
- Bing Introduces Jolson
- Is It True What They Say About Dixie?
- Chat
- Carolina in the Morning
- My Blue Heaven
- Alabamy Bound
- Kate
- Ma Blushin' Rosie
- Chat
- Sunbonnet Sue
- Chat
- A Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody
- The Best Things in Life Are Free
- Back in Your Own Backyard
- Baby Face
- The One I Love Belongs to Somebody Else
- All by Myself
- Chat
- Intro - April Showers
- For Me and My Gal
- Chat
- Peg O'My Heart
- Chat
- The Whiffenpoof Song
- Chat
- Carolina in the Morning
- Chat
- Beautiful Dreamer
- Chat
- Gershwin Medley: Rhapsody in Blue / Swanee / The Man I Love / Lady Be Good / Somebody Loves Me / Embraceable You / I Got Rhythm / It Ain't Necessarily So / Concerto in F / Summertime / Strike Up the Band
- Happy Times
- Chat
- California, Here I Come
- Chat
- Yaaka Hula Dickey Dula
- Chat
- Whispering
- Chat
- Bye Bye Baby
- Chat
- Waitin' for the Robert E. Lee
- Bing Introduces Jolson
- Give My Regards to Broadway
- Chat
- Ma Blushin' Rosle
- Chat
- Avalon
- Chat
- Lullaby of Broadway
- Chat
- My Old Kentucky Home
- Sam's Song (The Happy Tune)
- Swinging on a Star
- It's Anybody's Spring
- The Moon Got in My Eyes
- A Serenade to an Old-Fashioned Girl
- Would You?
- Ain't Got a Dime to My Name (Ho-Hum)
- Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy
- It's Always You
- Mule Train
- You Lucky People, You
- Eastside of Heaven
- In My Merry Oldsmobile
- Far Away Places
- I Surrender, Dear
- Sweet Potato Piper
- Wrap Your Troubles in Dream (And Dream Your Troubles Away)
- Now Is the Hour (Maori Farewell Song)
- Out of Nowhere
- Just One More Chance
- At Your Command
- Dinah (feat: The Mills Brothers)
- Please
- Brother, Can You Spare a Dime
- You're Getting to Be a Habit With Me
- Shadow Waltz
- Little Dutch Mill
- Love in Bloom
- June in January
- Soon
- It's Easy to Remember
- Red Sails in the Sunset
- Happy Holiday
- Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
- Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
- Let's Start the New Year Right
- Jingle Bells
- Silver Bells (feat. Ella Fitzgerald)
- White Christmas
- I'll Be Home for Christmas
- Silent Night
- The First Noel
- Fancy Meeting You Here
- (I'd Like to Be) On a Slow Boat to China
- I Can't Get Started
- Hindustan
- It Happened in Monterey
- You Came a Long Way From St. Louis
- Love Won't Let You Get Away
- How About You
- Brazil
- Isle of Capri
- Say 'Si Si' (Para Vigo Me Voy)
- Calcutta
- Love Won't Let You Get Away
- Ain't A-Hankerin'
- Protection
- Love Won't Let You Get Away
- Medley: Fancy Meeting You Here / (I'd Like to Be) On a Slow Boat to China/Hindustan
- Ol' Man River
- When It's Twilight on the Trail
- Swinging on a Star
- Gone Fishin'
- Blue Skies
- Moonlight Becomes You
- In the Cool Cool Cool of the Evening
- The Folks Who Live on the Hill
- Too Ra Loo Ra Loo Ra
- Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams
- Stardust
- People Will Say We're in Love
- McNamara's Band
- A Fella With an Umbrella
- Don't Fence Me In
- Sweet Leilani
- The Spaniard Who Blighted My Life
- Play a Simple Melody
- Sam Antonio Rose
- Now Is the Hour
- Give Me the Simple Life
- Alexander's Ragtime Band
- White Christmas
- Adeste Fideles
- Silver Bells
- Medley: Deck the Halls / Away in a Manger / Little Town of Bethlehem / The First Noel
- Silent Night
- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
- God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
- Sleigh Ride in July
- I'll Be Home for Christmas
- Faith in Our Fathers
- Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
- Here Comes Santa Claus
- Happy Holiday
- Jingle Bells
- You're All I Want for Christmas
- The First Noel
- Twelve Days of Christmas
- Let's Start the New Year Right
- White Christmas
- O Little Town of Bethlehem
- Silver Bells
- Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
- Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
- It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
- O Come All Ye Faithful
- The Christmas Song
- Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
- Silent Night, Holy Night
- White Christmas
- Jingle Bells
- O Come All Ye Faithful
- I'll Be Home for Christmas
- Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
- Jingle Bells
- Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow
- Christmas Dreaming
- The Snowman
- Deck the Halls
- Swinging On A Star
- Pennies From Heaven
- You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby
- Brother, Can You Spare A Dime
- Just One More Chance
- I Can't Begin To Tell You
- I've Got A Pocketful Of Dreams
- Dinah
- You're Getting To Be A Habit With Me
- Too Marvellous For Words
- Out Of Nowhere
- Sunday, Monday Or Always
- Moonlight Becomes You
- It's Been A Long, Long Time
- Don't Fence Me In
- Please
- It's Easy To Remember
- Three Little Words
- I'll Be Seeing You
- A Hit Time In The Town Of Berlin
- Now Is The Hour
- White Christmas
20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: The Best of Bing Crosby
(Released 1999)
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add to playlist
- Swingin' on a Star
- I'll Be Seeing You
- White Christmas
- Pennies From Heaven
- It's Been a Long, Long Time
- Dear Hearts and Gentle People
- Don't Fence Me In
- MacNamara's Band
- Play a Simple Melody
- Far Away Places
- Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy
- Around the World in Eighty Days
- Dinah
- Can't We Talk It Over
- Shine
- Paradise
- Sweet Georgia Brown
- Please
- How Deep Is the Ocean
- A Ghost of a Chance
- Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
- Let's Put Out the Light
- You're Getting to Be a Habit With Me
- I've Got the World on a String
- Temptation
- Did You Ever See a Dream Walking?
- Love Thy Neighbor
- Love in Bloom
- Basin Street Blues
- My Melancholy Baby
- You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby
- Sweet Potato Piper
- Happy Holiday
- Silent Night (first version)
- Adeste Fideles (first version)
- Silent Night
- White Christmas (1942)
- Adeste Fideles
- Silent Night
- God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
- I'll Be Home for Christmas
- Ave Maria
- White Christmas (1947)
- Silent Night
- The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)
- O Fir Tree Dark
- The First Noel
- You're All I Want for Christmas
- Christmas Carols: Deck the Halls / Away in a Manger / I Saw Three Ships
- Christmas Carols: Good King Wenceslas / We Three Kings of Orient Are / Angels We Have Heard on High
- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
- That Christmas Feeling
- Looks Like a Cold, Cold Winter
- A Marshmallow World
- Introduction (Where the Blue of the Night)
- Lazy River
- Lazy Bones
- Baby Won't You Please Come Home
- Blueberry Hill
- Lazy Bones
- Blueberry Hill 2nd Version
- Rockin' Chair
- Rockin' Chair (Parody)
- La Vie En Rose
- My Honey's Lovin' Arms
- You're Just in Love
- On the Sunny Side of the Street
- Gone Fishin'
- A Song Is Born
- Gone Fishin' 2nd Version
- I Get Ideas
- Memphis Blues
- A Kiss to Build a Dream On
- Sweet Leilani
- New San Antonio Rose
- White Christmas
- Silent Night, Holy Night
- Sunday, Monday or Always
- Pistol Packin' Mama
- Jingle Bells
- I'll Be Home for Christmas
- Swinging on a Star
- Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral (That's an Irish Lullaby)
- Don't Fence Me In
- I Can't Begin to Tell You
- MacNamara's Band
- South America, Take It Away
- Alexander's Ragtime Band
- Whiffenpoof Song
- Now Is the Hour (Maori Farewell Song)
- Galway Bay
- Dear Hearts and Gentle People
- Play a Simple Melody
- Sam's Song
- The One I Love Belongs to Somebody Else
- Temptation
- The Kiss in Your Eyes
- Oh, How I Miss You Tonight
- Let Me Call You Sweetheart
- My Melancholy Baby
- I Surrender Dear
- I'm Falling in Love With Someone
- Just a Little Lovin' (Will Go a Long Way)
- The Way You Look Tonight
- The White Cliffs of Dover
- The Army Air Corps Song
- Yankee Doodle Dandy
- I Don't Want to Walk Without You
- Song of Freedom
- You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To
- What Do You Do in the Infantry
- Riding Herd on a Cloud Tonight
- Get on the Road to Victory
- Sunday, Monday or Always
- Vict'ry Polka
- It's All Over Now
- As Time Goes By
- I'll Be Seeing You
- Shoo Shoo Baby
- (There'll Be a) Hot Time in the Town of Berlin (When the Yanks Go Marching in)
- Song of the Bombadiers
- Long Ago (And Far Away)
- Bless 'em All
- I'll Get By (As long as I Have You)
- Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby?
- Saturday Night (Is the Loneliest Night of the Week)
- The Fifth Marines-The Amphibians Battle March
- Comin' In on a Wing and a Prayer
- Jingle Bells
- Mistletoe & Holly
- Round & Round the Christmas Tree
- Medley: It Came Upon A Midnight Clear/Away In A Manger/O Little Town of Bethlehem/Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer
- Santa Claus is Coming to Town
- May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You
- The Cradle Song
- I Wish You a Merry Christmas
- Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
- Medley: Deck the Halls/God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/Hark! The Herald Angels Sing/O Come All Ye Faithful
- The Christmas Song/White Christmas
- Well Did You Evah?
Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters: Their Complete Recordings Together
(Released 1996)
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- Ciribiribin
- Yodelin' Jive
- Pistol Packin' Mama
- Jingle Bells
- Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
- Is You Is, Or Is You Ain't (Ma' Baby)
- Don't Fence Me In
- The Three Caballeros
- There's a Fella Waitin' in Poughkeepsie
- Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive
- Along the Navajo Trail
- Good, Good, Good
- Happy, Happy, Happy Wedding Day
- Betsy
- (Get Your Kicks On) Route 66
- South America, Take It Away
- Anything You Can Do
- There's No Business Like Show Business
- Go West, Young Man!
- Tallahassee
- The Freedom Train
- Apalachicola, FLA.
- You Don't Have to Know the Language
- A Hundred and Sixty Acres
- At the Flying W
- (There'll Be A) Hot Time in the Town of Berlin
- Vict'ry Polka
- White Christmas
- Adeste Fideles
- Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
- Away In A Manager
- O Little Town Of Bethlehem
- Silent Night
- That Christmas Feeling
- Jingle Bells
- Hitch A Ride With Santa Claus
- The Snowman
- It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
- Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
- The Christmas Song
- Deck The Halls
- Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
- God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
- O Come All Ye Faithfull
- True Love (feat. Grace Kelly)
- White Christmas
- Swinging on a Star
- Dear Hearts and Gentle People
- Don't Fence Me In (feat. The Andrew Sisters)
- Welcome to My Dream
- Blue Skies
- I'm Through With You
- The Ol' Spring Fever
- I'm a Old Cow Hand (From the Rio Grande)
- Moonlight Becomes You
- Pistol Packin' Mama (feat. The Andrews Sisters)
- I Kiss Your Hand, Madame
- Now Is the Hour (Maori Farewell Song)
- Beyond the Reef
- You Are Too Beautiful
- Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral (That's an Irish Lullaby)
- Where the Blue of the Night (Meets the Gold of the Day)
- What's New
- (You Know It All) Smarty
- Do You Hear What I Hear?
- Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
- Medley: What Child Is This? / The Holly and the Ivy
- The Little Drummer Boy
- Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
- Christmas Dinner, Country Style
- I Wish You a Merry Christmas
- Medley: Hark, the Herald Angels Sing / It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
- O Holy Night
- Medley: Pat-A-Pan / While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night
- Merry Christmas to You
- Jingle Bells
- Deck the Halls
- God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
- Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
- O Come, All Ye Faithful
- It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
- Away In a Manger
- O Little Town of Bethlehem
- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
- Let Me Sing and I'm Happy
- Medley: Back in Your Own Back Yard
- You Made Me Love You
- Waitin' for the Robert E. Lee
- Kate
- The Best Things in Life Are Free
- Lazy
- The New Ashmolean Marching Society and Students' Conservatoryband
- The Anniversary Song
- When the Red Red Robin Comes Bob Bob Bobbin' Along
- I Can Dream, Can't I?
- Rock-A-Bye Your Baby With a Dixie Melody
- April Showers
- Ma Blushin' Rosie
- You're Wonderful
- The One I Love Belongs to Someobody Else
- Avalon
- That Lucky Old Sun
- Toot, Toot, Tootsie
- All by Myself
- Alexander's Ragtime Band
- Easter Parade
- Bye, Bye Baby
- My Mammy
- Rainy Night in Rio
- Sunbonnet Sue
- A Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody
- Linda
- Swanee
- My Old Kentucky Home
- A Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight
- Nobody
- Comedy
- Oh! Susanna
- Comedy
- In the Evening by the Moonlight
- Beautiful Dreamer
- On the Banks of the Wabash
- Comedy
- Alabamy Bound
- Blue Hawaii
- Too Marvelous for Words
- It's the Natural Thing to Do
- The Moon Got in My Eyes
- Remember Me?
- Bob White (Whatcha Gonna Swing Tonight?)
- Don't Be That Way
- Swing Low Sweet Chariot
- Small Fry
- I've Got a Pocketful of Dreams
- Mexicali Rose
- You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby
- Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams (And Dream Your Troubles Away)
- Somebody Loves Me
- What's New?
- Sierra Sue
- Trade Winds
- Only Forever
- New San Antonio Rose
- Humpty Dumpty Heart
- Deep in the Heart of Texas
- Wait Till the Sun Shines Nellie
- When My Dreamboat Comes Home
- White Christmas
- Easter Parade
- Glow Worm
- Pittsburgh Pensylvania
- Just a Gigolo
- Come What May
- A Thousand Violins
- Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives to Me
- Blacksmith Blues
- Dark Moon
- Down Yonder
- I Apologize
- Just One More Chance
- Please Mr. Sun
- Where the Blue of the Night Meets the Gold of the Day
- White Christmas
- White Christmas
- Medley: Deck the Halls / Away in a Manger / I Saw Three Ships
- Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town
- Adeste Fideles (O, Come All Ye Faithful)
- Sleigh Ride
- Jingle Bells
- Christmas in Killarney
- Ave Maria
- Medley: Good King Wenceslas / We Three Kings / Angels We Have Heard
- It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas
- I'll Be Home for Christmas
- The Christmas Song
- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
- The First Noel
- God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
- Silent Night
- Happy Holiday
- Mele Kalikimaka
- Twelve Days of Christmas
- I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
- Silver Bells
- White Christmas
- Adeste Fidelis
- Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer
- Away In A Manger
- O' Little Town of Bethlehem
- Silent Night
- That Christmas Feeling
- Jingle Bells
- That Christmas Feeling
- Christmas Is A-Comin'
- The Christmas Song
- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
- Is Christmas Only a Tree
- You're All I Want for Christmas
- Here Comes Santa Claus
- Deck the Halls / Away in a Manger / I Saw Three Ships
- The First Noel
- Twelve Days of Christmas
- O Fir Tree Dark
- Good King Wenceslas / We Three Kings of Orient Are / Angels We Have Heard on High
- I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
- Dinah
- Can't We Talk It Over
- Shine
- Paradise
- Sweet Georgia Brown
- Please
- How Deep Is the Ocean (How High Is the Sky)
- (I Don't Stand) A Ghost of a Chance
- Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
- Let's Put Out the Lights (And Go to Sleep)
- You're Getting to Be a Habit With Me
- I've Got the World on a String
- Temptation
- Did You Ever See a Dream Walking?
- Love Thy Neighbor
- Love in Bloom
- The Christmas Song
- Jingle Bells
- Silent Night, Holy Night
- God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
- Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow
- I'll Be Home for Christmas
- Adeste Fideles
- White Christmas
- Joy to the World
- The First Noel
- Good King Wenceslas
- Away in a Manger
- Deck the Halls
- O Little Town of Bethlehem
- Silver Bells
- Silent Night
- Adeste Fideles
- White Christmas
- God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
- Faith of Our Fathers
- I'll Be Home for Christmas
- Jingle Bells
- Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town
- Silver Bells (feat. Carol Richards)
- It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas
- Christmas in Killarney
- Mele Kalikimaka (Merry Christmas)
- Your Socks Don't Match (feat. Louis Jordan)
- My Baby Said Yes (feat. Louis Jordan)
- Basin Street Blues (feat. Connie Boswell)
- Yes Indeed (feat. Connie Boswell)
- Someday Sweetheart (feat. Joe Sullivan & Bobby Sherwood)
- Moonburn (feat. Joe Sullivan & Bobby Sherwood)
- Pennies From Heaven (feat. Jimmy Dorsey)
- The Waiter and the Porter and the Upstairs Maid (feat. Jack Teagarden)
- The Birth of the Blues (feat. Jack Teagarden)
- Blue and Broken Hearted (feat. Eddie Condon)
- After You've Gone (feat. Eddie Condon)
- After You've Gone (feat. Eddie Condon)
- Personality (feat. Eddie Condon)
- Pinetops's Boogie Woogie (feat. Lionel Hampton)
- On the Sunny Side of the Street (feat. Lionel Hampton)
- I Still Suits Me (feat. Lee Wiley)
- I Ain't Got Nobody (feat. Woody Herman)
- Deep in the Heart of Texas (feat. Woody Herman)
- When My Dreamboat Comes Home (feat. Bob Crosby)
- Gone Fishin' (feat. Louis Armstrong)
- White Christmas (1947 Version)
- Sleigh Ride
- Silver Bells
- The Snowman
- Sleigh Bell Serenade
- I'll Be Home for Christmas
- Here Comes Santa Claus
- You're All I Want for Christmas
- Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
- Peace on Earth
- Silent Night
- The First Noel
- Faith of Our Fathers
- God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
- The Twelve Days of Christmas
- It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas
- I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
- The Christmas Song
- Jingle Bells
- White Christmas
- Jingle Bells
- Silver Bells
- Silent Night
- Merry christmas (Mele Kalikimaka)
- Adeste Fidelis
- God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
- I'll Be Home For Christmas (If Only In My Dreams)
- Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
- Too-Ra-Loo-Ral (That's An Irish Lullaby)
- It's Beginning To Look Like Christmas
- Faith Of Our Fathers
- Christmas In Killarney
- Galway Bay
- Road to Morocco
- Moonlight Becomes You
- Ain't Got a Dime to My Name (Ho Ho Ho Ho Hum)
- Constantly
- Sunday, Monday or Always
- If You Please
- Going My Way
- Swinging on a Star
- The Day After Forever
- Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral (That's an Irish Lullaby)
- Ave Maria
- Silent Night
- April Showers
- When My Baby Smiles at Me
- My Blue Heaven
- A Little Kiss Each Morning [A Little Kiss Each Tonight]
- Prisoner of Love
- Ain't Misbehavin' (I'm Savin' My Love for You)
- Paper Doll
- This Love of Mine
- Thanks for the Memory
- Blues in the Night
- Mona Lisa
- Memories Are Made of This
- Winter Wonderland
- Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
- Medley: What Child Is This? / The Holly and the Ivy
- Little Drummer Boy
- O Holy Night
- The Littlest Angel
- Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
- Medley: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing / It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
- Frosty the Snowman
- I Wish You a Merry Christmas
- Gentle on My Mind
- Everything Is Beautiful
- Gonna Build a Mountain
- Sunrise, Sunset
- Hangin' Loose
- All His Children
- Put Your Hand in the Hand
- Snowbird
- Little Green Apples
- Sugar, Don't You Know
- Have a Nice Day
- White Christmas
- Silent Night
- It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas
- Adeste Fidelis
- God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
- Faith of our Fathers
- I'll Be Home for Christmas
- Christmas in Killarney
- The First Noel
- You're All I Want for Christmas
- O Fir Tree Dark
- Christmas Carols: Deck the Halls / Away in a Manger / I Saw Three Ships
- Christmas Carols: Good King Wenceslas / We Three Kings of Orient Are / Angels We Have Heard on High
- The Christmas Song
- Bing Crosby, Jack Kapp (Founder of Decca Records), Connie Boswell,Bob Crosby and Victor Young send greetings to Decca employees, Christmas, 1940
- That Travelin' Two-Beat
- New Vienna Woods
- Knees Up Mother Brown
- Roamin' in the Glomin'
- Adios Señorita
- Come to the Mardi Gras
- Hear That Band
- The Daughter of Molly Malone
- The Poor People of Paris
- I Get Ideas
- Ciao Ciao Bambina
- That Travelin' Two-Beat (reprise)
- Road to Morocco
- It Had to Be You
- That's a Plenty
- Something in Common
- Moments to Remember
- Look to You Heart
- Suddenly There's a Valley
- The Possibility of Evening
- The Loneliness of Evening
- The Longest Walk
- Sailing Down the Chesapeake Bay
- The Sweetheart Waltz
- Sing Soft Sing Sweet Sing Gentle
- The Moon Was Yellow
- Me and the Moon
- Pale Moon
- Got the Moon in My Pocket
- Chicago Style
- Young at Heart
- Oh Baby Mine (I Get So Lonely)
- Mademoiselle De Paris
- La Mer
- Morgen (One More Sunrise)
- Under Paris Skies
- Domenica
- White Christmas
- Muskrat Ramble
- Sugar
- Preacher
- Dardanella
- Let's Sing Like a Dixielend Band
- Way Down Yonder in New Orleans
- Brother Bill
- Littke Ol'Tune
- At My Jazz Band Ball
- Rocky Mountain Moon
- Bye Bye Blurs
- Pennies From Heaven
- Gone Fishing
- Little One
- I Love You Samantha
- Now You Has Jazz
- That's a Plenty
- Burbon Street Parade
- New Orleans
- Sheik of Araby
- Mademoiselle De Paris
- Only You
- Under Paris Skies
- This Can't Be Love
- Half As Much
- Tenderly
- Zing a Little Zong
- Who Kissed Me Last Night?
- You'll Never Know
- The Merry-Go-Run-Around
- Blues in the Night
- I Do, I Do, I Do
- Chicago Style
- South Rampart Street Parade
- Lovely Weather for Ducks
- Something to Remember You By
- Haven't Got a Worry to My Name
- It's Only a Paper Moon
- Only Forever
- Lonely Am I
- You're in Kentucky Sure as You're Born
- Medley: These Foolish Things / We Just Couldn't Say Goodbye / You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To
- It's a Most Unusual Day
- You're Just in Love
- Bad News
- You Make Me Feel So Young
- Man and Woman
- Tomorrow I'll Dream and Remember
- High Society Overture Orchestra
- High Society Calypso
- Little One
- Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
- True Love
- You're Sensational
- I Love You Samantha
- Now You Have Jazz
- Well Did You Ever
- Mind It I Make Love to You
- Begin the biguine
- A Fine Romance
- Night And Day
- I've Got You Under My Skin
- Who's Sorry Now
- On The Sunny Side Of The Street
- Swinging On A Star
- Stardust
- These Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You)
- Danny Boy
- Summertime
- Personality
- Pennies From Heaven
- Memories Are Made Of This
- September Song
- Ol' Man River
- White Christmas
- Silent Night
- I'll Be Home For Christmas
- Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
- Good King Wenceslas
- Twelve Days Of Christmas
- First Noel
- Medley
- Silver Bells
- Here Comes Santa Claus
- Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
- Adeste Fideles
- You're All I Want For Christmas
- Jingle Bells
- Happy Holiday
- God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
- Sleigh Ride In July
- Let's Start The New Year Right
- I'd Hitch A Ride with Santa Claus
- Faith Of Our Fathers
- Adeste Fideles
- Out of Nowhere
- Please
- You're Getting To Be A Habit With Me
- Love In Bloom
- June In January
- It's Easy To Remember
- Red Sails In The Sunset
- Pennies From Heaven
- Sweet Leilani
- Too Marvellous For Words
- The Moon Got In My Eyes
- Remember Me?
- Alexander's Ragtime Band (with Connee Boswell)
- I've Got A Pocketful Of Dreams
- You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby
- Sierra Sue
- Only Forever
- Where The Blue Of The Night
- Moonlight Becomes You
- White Christmas
- Please
- How Deep Is The Ocean
- Dancing In The Dark
- Sentimental And Melancholy
- On The Sentimental Side
- Don't Be That Way
- Blue Hawaii
- Silver on the Sage
- Song Of The Islands
- The Last Round-Up
- Black Moonlight
- Someday Sweetheart
- I've Got The World On A String
- Did You Ever See A Dream Walking?
- Dinah
- Brother Can You Spare A Dime
- Pennies From Heaven
- Down The Old Ox Road
- Maybe
- Thanks
- In My Merry Oldsmobile
- Moonlight Becomes You
- Remember Me
- It's Easy To Remember
- White Christmas
- Jingle Bells
- Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
- Winter Wonderland
- The Little Drummer Boy
- O Holy Night
- Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
- Frosty The Snowman
- Silent Night
- The Twelve Days of Christmas
- The Littlest Angel
- What Child Is This?/The Holly and the Ivy
- The First Noel
- Hark! The Herald Angel/It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
- Adeste Fidelis
- I Wish You a Merry Christmas
- White Christmas
- It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas
- Silent Night
- Adeste Fidelio
- Twelve Days of Christmas
- The Christmas Song
- Jingle Bells
- Christmas Is a Comin'
- God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
- Here Comes Santa Claus
- Is Christmas Only a Tree
- Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
- The First Noel
- I'll Be Home for Christmas
- Silver Bells
- O Fir Tree Dark
- Christmas in Killarney
- You're All I Want for Christmas
- Mele Kalikamaka
- I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
- Snow
- Santa Claus Is Comin to Town
- That Christmas Feeling
- Let's Start the New Year Right
- Auld Lang Syne
- The Song Is You
- Mountain Greenery
- Cheek to Cheek
- 'Deed I Do
- Heat Wave
- Blue Room
- Have You Met Miss Jones?
- I've Got Five Dollars
- They All Laughed
- Nice Work If You Can Get It
- September in the Rain
- Jeepers Creepers
- I've Got the Girl
- Muddy Water
- Side By Side
- From Monday On
- Mississippi Mud
- 'Tain't So, Honey, 'Tain't So
- If I Had You
- Can't We Be Friends
- Happy Feet
- You Brought A New Kind Of Love To Me
- Three Little Words
- I Surrender Dear
- Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams
- Just A Gigalo
- Out Of Nowhere
- Just One More Chance
- I'm Thru With Love
- I Found A Million Dollar Baby
- Dancing In The Dark
- Where the Blue of Night (Meets the Gold of Day)
- Dinah
- St. Louis Blues
- Sweet Georgia Brown
- Please
- I Don't Stand A Ghost Of A Chance With You
- Brother Can You Spare a Dime
- You're Getting to Be a Habit With Me
- I've Got the World on a String
- The Last Round-Up
- Love in Bloom
- June in January
- Soon
- It's Easy to Remember
- Red Sails in the Sunset
- Silent Night, Holy Night
- Moonburn
- The Touch of Your Lips
- Pennies From Heaven
- Shoe Shine Boy
- The Way You Look Tonight
- Sweet Leilani
- Too Marvellous for Words
- The Moon Got in My Eyes
- Remember Me
- Bob White (Whatcha Gonna Swing Tonight?)
- Don't Be That Way
- I've Got a Pocketful of Dreams
- You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby
- If I Had My Way
- An Apple for the Teacher
- Did You Ever See a Dream Walking?
- Temptation
- Sweet Georgia Brown
- I've Got the World on a String
- Please
- Down the Old Ox Road
- (I Don't Stand) A Ghost of a Chance (With You)
- My Honey's Lovin' Arms
- How Deep Is the Ocean (How High Is the Sky)
- St. Louis Blues
- Out Of Nowhere
- Just One More Chance
- At Your Command
- Where the Blue of the Night (Meets the Gold of the Day)
- Love In Bloom
- The Very Thought Of You
- June In January
- Soon
- It's Easy To Remember
- Red Sails In The Sunset
- Pennies From Heaven
- Sweet Leilani
- Too Marvelous For Words
- The Moon Got In My Eyes
- Remember Me
- Bob White (Whatcha Gonna Swing Tonight?)
- I've Got A Pocketful Of Dreams
- You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby
- Sierra Sue
- Trade Winds
- Watermellon Weather
- South America, Take It Away
- My Baby Said Yes
- The Road to Morocco
- Day by Day
- In the cool, cool, cool of the evening
- Connecticut
- Pistol Packin' Mama
- Mine
- Ac-cent-tchu-ate the Positive
- Gone Fishin'
- Merry-Go-Runaround
- Sam's Song
- Road to Bali
- Don't Fence Me In
- Chicago Style
- I'll Capture Your Heart Singing
- Play a Simple Melody
- Yah-ta-ta Yah-ta-ta
- Small Fry
- Put It There Pal
- Hot Time In the Town of Berlin
- Muskrat Ramble
- Sugar
- Preacher
- Dardanella
- Let's Sing Like a Dixieland Band
- 'Way Down Yonder in New Orleans
- Brother Bill
- Little Ol' Tune
- At the Jazz Band Ball
- Rocky Mountain Moon
- Bye Bye Blues
- White Christmas
- Jingle Bells
- Deck the Halls
- God Rest Ye Merry Gentelmen
- Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
- O Come All Ye Faithful
- It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
- Away in a Manger
- O Little Town of Bethlehem
- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
- Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
- The Christmas Song
- Adeste Fideles
- The Christmas Feeling
- Hitch a Ride With Santa Claus
- The Snowman
- Silent Night
- Lady of Spain
- Zip a Dee Doo Dah
- P.S. I Love You
- If This Isn't Love
- Ol' Buttermilk Sky
- Great Day
- I Got the Sun in the Morning
- It's a Good Day
- You Got to My Head
- The Old Lamplighter
- Theme / [Introduction: Bing Talking]
- Way Down Yonder in New Orleans
- A Song Was Born
- Gone Fishin'
- La Vie En Rose
- Lazy Bones
- Baby Won't You Please Come Home
- My Honey's Lovin' Arms
- You're Just in Love
- Up the Lazy River
- [Introduction: Crosby, Armstrong, Jack Teagarden & Joe Venuti Talking]
- Panama
- Nice Work If You Can Get It
- Blueberry Hill
- Rockin' Chair (#1)
- Rockin' Chair #2 / Final And Theme
- Got the Moon in My Pocket
- Just Plain Lonesome
- The Waltz of Memory
- Lazy
- Let's Start the New Year Right
- Let's Start the New Year Right
- I've Got Plenty to Be Thankful For
- Bing Crosby; Fred Astaire; Margaret Lenhart / I'll Capture Your Heart
- When My Dreamboat Comes Home
- Walking the Floor Over You
- White Christmas
- White Christmas
- Abraham
- Song of Freedom
- The Bombardier Song
- Easter Parade
- Happy Holiday
- Be Careful, It's My Heart
- Adeste Fideles
- Silent Night, Holy Night
- Faith of Our Fathers
- God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
- Conchita, Marquita, Lolita, Pepita, Rosita, Juanita López
- Road to Morocco
- Road to Morocco
- Ain't Got a Dime to My Name
- De Camptown Races
- Did Your Mother Come From Ireland?
- My Old Kentucky Home - A
- My Old Kentucky Home - B
- Where the River Shannon Flows
- Bing Crosby; Connie Boswell / Tea for Two
- Bing Crosby; Connie Boswell / Yes Indeed - A
- Bing Crosby; Connie Boswell / Yes Indeed - C
- Bing Crosby; Connie Boswell / Christmas Greetings to Decca Employees
- New San Antonio Rose
- It Makes No Difference Now - A
- It Makes No Difference Now - B
- Your're Dangerous
- A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square
- You Lucky People, You
- Birds of a Feather
- Dolores - A
- Dolores - B
- Pale Moon - A
- Pale Moon - B
- Pale Moon - C
- Shepherd Serenade
- Do You Care?
- I Want My Mama (Mama Yo Quiero)
- Deep in the Heart of Texas
- I'm Thinking Tonight of My Blue Eyes
- Sing Me a Song of the Islands
- I'm Drifitng Back to Dreamland
- The Singing Sands of Alamosa
- Remember Hawaii
- Miss You
- Mandy Is Two
- Mandy Is Two
- Angels of Mercy
- Skylark
- Skylark
- Nobody's Darlin' But Mine
- When the White Azaleas Start Blooming
- The Lamplighter's Serenade
- Blue Shadows and White Gardenias
- Bing Crosby; Music Maids / Blues in the Night
- Moonlight Cocktail
- I Don't Want to Walk Without You
- Bing Crosby; Mary Martin / Lily of Laguna
- Bing Crosby; Mary Martin / Wait Till the Sun Shines Nellie
- Where the Blue of the Night
- I Found a Million Dollar Baby
- Sweet and Lovely
- I Apologise
- Stardust
- Just One More Chance
- Too Late
- Dancing in the Dark
- A Faded Summer Love
- I'm Sorry Dear
- If You Should Ever Need Me
- Can't We Talk It Over
- Many Happy Returns of the Day
- I Found You
- I'm Thru' With Love
- Goodnight Sweetheart
- Sunday
- They Didn't Believe Me
- This Can't Be Love
- I Can't Get Started
- I Guess I'll Have to Change My Plan
- Try a Little Tenderness
- What Is This Thing Called Love?
- Mandy
- So Rare
- My Ideal
- Don't Take Your Love From Me
- (Love Is) The Tender Trap
- Love Is Just Around the Corner
- It's All Right With Me
- Waiting for the Evening Mail
- I've Got a Crush on You
- I Wish You Love
- Chances Are
- Where or When
- What Is There to Say?
- It's Not for Me to Say
- Crazy Rhythm
- I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face
- Come Rain or Come Shine
- She's Funny That Way
- We're in the Money
- Little Man, You've Had a Busy Day
- At Sundown
- My Heart Is Taking Lessons
- The Funny Old Hills
- Joobalai
- East Side Of Heaven
- Hang Your Heart On A Hickory Limb
- On The Sentimental Side
- This Is My Night To Dream
- I HAve Eyes
- You're A Sweet Little Headache
- That Sly Old Gentleman
- An Apple For The Teacher
- A Man And His Dream
- Still The Bluebird Sings
- April Played The Fiddle
- The Moon And The Willow Tree
- Meet The Sun Half Way
- Blacksmith Blues
- Come What May
- Glow Worm
- Feet Up
- Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
- Please Mr Sun
- Cockeyed Optimist
- Everything I Have Is Yours
- A Thousand Violins
- Dark Moon
- Now That I Need You
- Maybe It's Because
- Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gave to Me
- Down Yonder
- Lady of Spain
- Zip A Dee Doo Dah
- P.S. I Love You
- If This Isn't Love
- Ole Buttermilk Sky
- Great Day
- I Got the Sun in the Morning
- It's a Good Day
- You Go to My Head
- The Old Lamp Lighter
- Where the Bblue of the Night (Meets the Gold of the Day)
- Sweet and Lovely
- Dinah
- Shine
- Sweet Georgia Brown
- Cabin in the Cotton
- Some of These Days
- You're Beautiful Tonight, My Dear
- You're Getting to be a Habit With Me
- You've Got Me Crying Again
- Temptation
- May I?
- June in January
- With Every Breath I Take
- I'm an Old Cowhand (From Rio Grande)
- Mr. Gallagher and Mr. Shean
- You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby
- Where the Blue of the Night
- Sweet and Lovely
- Dinah
- Shine
- Sweet Georgia Brown
- Cabin in the Cotton
- Some of These Days
- Here Lies Love
- You're Beautiful Tonight my Dear
- You're Getting to be a Habit with Me
- You've got me Crying
- Temptation
- May I
- June in January
- With Every Breath I Take
- I'm and Old Cowhand
- Pennies from Heaven
- Sweet Leilani
- Mr. Gallagher and Mr. Shean
- You Must have been a Beautiful Baby
- The Song of Christmas
- Sing Noel
- Christmas Is
- The First Family of Christmas
- And the Bells Rang
- A Christmas Toast
- A Time to Be Jolly
- 'Round and 'Round the Christmas Tree
- When You Trim Your Christmas Tree
- Christmas Is Here to Stay!
- White Christmas
- The First Noel
- Adeste Fidelis (O Come All Ye Faithful)
- Christmas in Killarney
- God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
- O Fir Tree Dark
- Faith of Our Fathers
- Christmas Carols
- Christmas Carols
- The First Family of Christmas
- And the Bells Rang
- Silent Night
- It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas
- Adeste Fideles (O Come All Ye Faithful) (1942 single version)
- God Rest Ye Merrry Gentlemen (single version)
- That Christmas Feeling
- Christmas Carol: Deck the Halls, Away in a Manager, I Saw Three Ships
- Silent Night (1942 single)
- Christmas Is Comin'
- The First Noel
- I'll Be Home for Christmas
- The Christmas Song
- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
- Sleigh Ride
- I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
- White Christmas (1942 Holiday Inn version)
- Silver Bells (feat. Carole Richards)
- Santa Claus Is Comng to Town (feat. The Andrews Sisters)
- Jingle Bells (feat. The Andrews Sisters)
- Here Comes Santa Claus (feat. The Andrews Sisters)
- Winter Wonderland
- Frosty The Snowman
- Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
- Do You Hear What I Hear
- When A Child Is Born
- The Littlest Angel
- What Child Is This-The Holly And The Ivy
- The Litte Drummer Boy
- Children
- The Way We Were
- Christmas Dinner Country Style
- Let It Snow Let It Snow Let It Snow
- In The Cool Cool Cool Of The Evening
- Great Day
- Hark The Herald Angels Sing - It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
- Oh Holy Night
- Pat-a-Pan - While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night
- I Wish You A Merry Christmas
- Yodelin' Jive
- Pistol Packin' Mama
- Don't Fence Me In
- Tallahassee
- Along the Navajo Trail
- Sparrow in the Treetop
- Ac-cent-tchu-ate the Positive
- The Three Caballeros
- South America Take It Away
- Quicksilver
- Anything You Can Do
- Life Is So Peculiar
- Have I Told You Lately That I Love You
- Is You Is, or Is You Ain't Ma Baby
- Alexander's Ragtime Band
- Scrub Me Mama With a Boogie Beat
- I Want My Mama (Mama Yo Quiero)
- Straighten Up and Fly Right
- In the Mood
- Ti Pi Tin
- (I've Got a Guy In) Kalamazoo
- Rhumboogie
- Yes, My Darling Daughter
- I Love You Much Too Much
- Chattanooga Choo Choo
- Victory Polka
- (There'll Be A) Hot Time in the Town of Berlin
- Happy Holiday
- Be Careful It's My Heart
- Abraham
- Easter Parade
- Song Of Freedom
- I Can't Tell A Lie
- Lazy
- I'll Capture Your Heart
- I've Got Plenty To Be Thankful For
- You're Easy To Dance With
- Let's Start The New Year Off Right
- White Christmas
- Happy Holiday
- Jing-A-Ling, Jing-A-Ling
- Twelve Days of Christmas
- The First Snowfall
- I'd Like to Hitch a Ride With Santa Claus
- Poppa Santa Claus
- You're All I Want for Christmas
- The Christmas Tree Angle
- Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town
- O Fir Tree Dark
- Christmas Candles
- Jingle Bells
- Christmas in Killarney
- Winter Wonderland
- Here Comes Santa Claus
- Looks Like a Cold, Cold Winter
- Merry Christmas Polka
- Mele Kilikimaka
- Is Christmas Only a Tree
- Christmas Island
- Waiting at the End of the Road
- When You're Counting the Stars Alone
- Can't We Be Friends
- Gay Love
- Great Day
- Without a Song
- I'm a Dreamer - Aren't We All
- If I Had a Talking Picture of You
- Moonlight and Roses Medley
- Southern Medley
- A Bundle of Old Love Letters
- After You've Gone
- Happy Feet
- A Song of the Dawn
- A Bench in the Park (take 1)
- A Bench in the Park (take 2)
- Livin' in the Sunlight, Lovin' in the Moonlight
- I Like to Do Things for You
- You Brought a New King of Love to Me
- A Bench in the Park
- Three Little Words
- With Every Breath I Take (take A)
- With Every Breath I Take (take B)
- June in January (take A)
- June in January (take B)
- Love Is Just Around the Corner (take A)
- Love Is Just Around the Corner (take B)
- Maybe I'm Wrong Again (take A)
- Maybe I'm Wrong Again (take B)
- With Every Breath I (take)
- Soon
- Down by the River
- It's Easy to Remember (take B)
- It's Easy to Remember (Unknown take)
- Swanee River
- Silent Night, Holy Night
- Adeste Fidelis / Lift Up Your Hearts / Stabat Mater
- From the Top of Your Head
- I Wish I Were Aladdin
- Takes Two to Make a Bargain
- Two for Tonight
- Without a Word of Warning
- I Wished on the Moon (take A)
- I Wished on the Moon (take B)
- If I Knew You Were Coming (feat. Bob Hope)
- On a Slow Boat to China (feat. Peggy Lee)
- When You Wore a Tulip and I Wore a Big Red Rose (feat. Judy Garland)
- Moonlight Bay (feat. Gary Crosby)
- I Don't Know Why (feat. Lauren Bacall)
- The One I Love Belongs to Somebody Else (feat. Al Jolson)
- May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You (feat. Nat King Cole)
- Basin Street Blues (feat. Ella Fitzgerald)
- Hand Holdin' Music (feat. Rudy Vallee & Walter O'keefe
- Up a Lazy River Paper Doll (feat. the Mills Brothers)
- On Top of Old Smokey (feat. Burl Ives)
- Medley (feat. Frank Sinatra & Bob Hope)
- Clancey Lowered the Boom (feat. Dennis Day)
- Takes Two to Tango (feat. Rosemary Clooney)
- You Came a Long Way From St Louis (feat. Peggy Lee)
- I Can Dream Can't I? (feat. the Andrew Sisters)
- Lullaby of Broadway (feat. Dick Powell)
- The Surrey With the Fringe on Top (feat. Helen O'connell)
- Till We Meet Again (feat. Patti Page)
- Groaner Canary and Nose (feat. Judy Garland & Jimmy Durante)
- White Christmas (feat. Ken Darby Orchestra)
- The Whiffenpoof Song (feat. Fred Waring)
- I Surrender Dear (feat. John Scott Truman)
- Blue Skies (feat. John Scott Truman)
- Pistol Packin' Mama (feat. the Andrew Sisters)
- Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral (feat. John Scott Truman)
- Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive (feat. the Andrew Sisters)
- Don't Fence Me In (feat. the Andrew Sisters)
- You Are My Sunshine (feat. Victor Young)
- Swinging on a Star (feat. John Scott Truman)
- Deep in the Heart of Texas (feat. Woody Herman)
- Where the Blue of the Night Meets the Gold of the Day (feat. John Scott Truman)
- Let a Smile Be Your Umbrella
- I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter
- Along the Way to Waikiki
- Exactly Like You
- Dream a Little Dream of Me
- Last Night on the Backporch
- Some Sunny Day
- Whispering
- Tell Me
- Mack the Knife
- Down Among the Sheltering Palms
- Mama Loves Papa
- Happy Holidays / Holiday Inn
- The Christmas Song
- O Holy Night
- I'll Be Home for Christmas
- Snowbird
- I Sing Noel
- When a Child Is Born
- Silver Bells
- Rudolp the Red-Nosed Reindeer
- Adeste Fideles
- All His Children
- Jingle Bells
- Jingle Bells
- Blue Christmas
- Star of Bethlehem
- The Christmas Song
- I'll Be Home for Christmas
- Reason for the Season
- Santa's on Vacation
- Walk All the Way to Memphis
- The Working Elf Blues
- Christmas Angel
- A Mighty Fortress / Angels We Have Heard on High
- Mele Kalikimaka
- Maybe You'll Be There (feat. Peggy Lee)
- On a Slow Boat to China (feat. Peggy Lee)
- In the Evening by the Moonlight (feat. Al Jolson)
- Sam's Song (feat. Judy Garland)
- (Yah Ta Ta, Yah Ta Ta) Talk, Talk, Talk (feat. Judy Garland)
- Blue Skies (feat. Jimmy Durante)
- Stay With the Happy People (feat. Ella Fitzgerald)
- A Dreamer's Holiday (feat. Ella Fitzgerald)
- Shine (feat. Mills Brothers)
- Dinah (feat. Mills Brothers)
- Tea for Two (feat. Connie Boswell)
- They Can't Take That Away From Me (feat. Rosemary Clooney)
- It Takes Two to Tango (feat. Rosemary Clooney)
- Small Fry (feat. Johnny Mercer)
- Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby (feat. Andrew Sisters)
- If I Knew You Were Coming I'd Baked a Cake (feat. Bob Hope)
- Lily of Laguna (feat. Mary Martin)
- I'm Falling in Love With Someone (feat. Francis Langford)
- 'till We Meet Again (feat. Patti Page)
- Have I Told You Lately That I Love You (feat. Bob Hope)
- People Will Say I'm in Love (feat. Trudy Irwin)
- You're Just in Love (feat. Judy Garland)
- P.S. I Love You
- I Got the Sun in the Morning
- It's a Good Day
- Lady of Spain
- Everything I Have Is Yours
- Please, Mr. Sun
- Come What May
- Glow Worm
- If I Had My Way
- If This Isn't Love
- When the Blue of Night (Meets the Gold of Day)
- Dinah
- Some of These Days
- Sweet Sue
- On the Street of Dreams
- Try a Little Tenderness
- Here Lies Love
- I'll Follow You
- You're Getting to Be a Habit With Me
- I've Got the World on a String
- My Honey's Loving Arms
- Somebody Stole Gabriel's Horn
- Shadow Waltz
- June in January
- I've Got to Sing a Torch Song
- Home on the Range
- I'm an Old Cowhand (From the Rio Grande)
- Shadows of Love
- Riding' Around in the Rain
- You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby
- Where the Blue of the Night Meets the Gold of the Day
- I Found a Million Dollar Baby
- At Your Command
- Dancing in the Dark
- Now That You're Gone
- Too Late
- Sweet and Lovely
- A Faded Summer Love
- Just One More Chance
- I'm Thru With Love
- Out of Nowhere
- Good Night Sweetheart
- I Apologize
- Star Dust
- Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams
- Just a Gigolo
- I Surrender Dear
- If You Should Ever Need Me
- That's What Life Is All About
- We've Only Just Begun
- The Best Things in Life Are Free
- Great Day
- Children
- The More I See You
- I Got Rhythm
- No Time at All
- A Little Love and Understanding
- The Good Old Times
- Cabaret
- Send in the Clowns
- Change Partners
- Looking at You
- Yours Sincerely
- How Are Things in Glocca Morra?
- The Woman on Your Arms
- Bon Vivant
- When a Child Is Born
- That's What Life Is All About - (reprise)
- When Irish Eyes Are Smiling
- MacNamara's Band
- Galway Bay
- Top o' the Morning
- Rosaleen
- How Can You Buy Killarney?
- It's the Same Old Shillelagh
- Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral (That's an Irish Lullaby)
- The Rose of Tralee
- Dear Old Donegal
- Danny Boy
- St. Patrick's Day Parade
- I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen
- The Donovans
- Where the River Shannon Flows
- Eileen
- With My Shillelagh Under My Arm
- My Girl's an Irish Girl
- That Tumbledown Shack in Athlone
- Two Shillelagh O'Sullivan
- The Isle of Innisfree
- Who Threw the Overalls in Mrs. Murphy's Chowder?
- Did Your Mother Come From Ireland
- Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral
- How Deep Is the Ocean
- On the Sentimental Side
- Blue Hawaii
- I've Got the World on a String
- Dinah (feat. The Mills Brothers)
- Brother, Can You Spare a Dime
- Pennies From Heaven
- Maybe
- Moonlight Becomes You
- It's Easy to Remember
- Temptation
- Try a Little Tenderness
- Stardust
- Goodnight Sweetheart
- An Apple for the Teacher
- Sweet Georgia Brown
- Sing a Song of Sunbeams
- White Christmas
- Out of Nowhere
- Too Marvelous for Words
- The Funny Old Hills
- Goodnight Sweetheart
- I'm an Old Cowhand
- Sweet Lelani
- Stardust
- Try a Little Tenderness
- Temptation
- This is My Night to Dream
- Too Romantic
- Sweet and Lovely
- Road to Morocco (feat. Bob Hope)
- What's New?
- Somebody Loves Me
- Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral
- Don't Fence Me In
- I'll Be Seeing You
- Dinah
- Paradise
- Sweet Georgia Brown
- Love Me Tonight
- Please
- Here Lies Love
- Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
- Young and Healthy
- My Honey's Lovin' Arms
- Blue Prelude
- Thanks
- Beautiful Girl
- Temptation
- Did You Ever See a Dream Walking?
- Love Thy Neighbor
- Love in Bloom
- Manhattan
- My Baby Just Cares for Me
- Anything Goes
- All Through the Night
- You're the Top
- I Guess I'll Have to Change My Plan
- New Sun in the Sky
- Mandy
- My Ideal
- It's Alright With Me
- How Long Has This Been Going On?
- I've Got a Crush on You
- What Is There to Say
- Where or When
- The Lady Is a Tramp
- My Funny Valentine
- Nice Work If You Can Get It
- What Is This Thing Called Love
- I See Your Face Before Me
- I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face
- You'll Never Know
- It's Not for Me to Say
- You're Sensational
- They Didn't Believe Me
- We're in the Money
- Please
- Sweet and Lovely
- Dancing in the Dark
- This Is My Night to Dream
- On the Sentimental Side
- Try a Little Tenderness
- Blue Hawaii
- Sweet Leilani
- Song of the Islands
- Goodnight Sweetheart
- Black Moonlight
- Too Marvellous for Words
- I've Got the World on a String
- (I Don't Stand) A Ghost of a Chance with You
- Dinah
- Sweet Georgia Brown
- Pennies From Heaven
- Still the Bluebirds Sings
- Maybe
- Sing a Song of Sunbeams
- Live Radio Broadcast 1-21-44
- Adeste Fideles
- Jingle Bells
- I Dream of You (More Than You Dream I Do)
- I'm Making Believe
- Slip of the Lip Can Sink a Ship
- What a Difference a Day Makes
- Beautiful Saviour
- God Is Ever Beside Me
- Silent Night
- Live Radio Broadcast 12-14-44
- Don't Fence Me In
- Straighten Up & Fly Right
- More & More
- (All of a Sudden) My Heart Sings
- Can't Yo' Hear Me Callin', Caroline
- Holiday Inn Medley
- The Song of Christmas
- I Sing Noel
- Christmas Is
- The First Family of Christmas
- And the Bells Rang
- A Christmas Toast
- A Time to Be Jolly
- Round and Round the Christmas Tree
- When You Trim Your Christmas Tree
- Christmas Is Here to Stay
- On A Slow Boat To China
- Hindustan
- Fancy Meeting You Here
- Brazil/Here We Are (Face to Face Again)
- You Came a Long Way From St. Louis/You Can Take the Boy Out of the Country
- How About You?
- I Can't Get Started
- Say "Si Si" (Para Vigo Me Voy)
- It Happened in Monterey
- Love Won't Let You Get Away
- It's Easy to Remember
- Out of Nowhere
- Just One More Chance
- At Your Command
- Dinah
- Please
- Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
- You're Getting to Be a Habit With Me
- The Shadow Waltz
- Little Dutch Mill
- Love in Bloom
- June in January
- Soon -- There'll Just Be Two of Us
- Red Sails in the Sunset
- I'm a Old Cowhand
- Pennies From Heaven
- Sweet Leilani
- Too Marvelous for Words
- The Moon Got in My Eyes
- Bob White, Whatcha Gonna Swing Tonight?
- I've Got a Pocketful of Dreams
- Alexander's Ragtime Band
- You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby
- An Apple for the Teacher
- Silent Night, Holy Night
- Winter Wonderland
- Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
- What Child Is This? / The Holly and the Ivy
- The Little Drummer Boy
- O Holy Night
- The Littlest Angel
- Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
- Hark! The Herald Angels Sing / It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
- Frosty the Snowman
- I Wish You a Merry Christmas
- Do You Hear What I Hear?
- Pat-A-Pan / While Shepherds Watched Their Flock
- Christmas Dinner Country Style
- Peace on Earth / The Little Drummer Boy
- Jingle Bells
- Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
- The Christmas Song
- Christmas Eve at the Crosby House
- That Christmas Feeling
- Hitch a Ride With Santa Claus
- The Snowman
- That Christmas Feeling (reprise)
- Adeste Fideles
- Silent Night
- Ac-cent-tchuate the Positive
- Gone Fishin'
- Play a Simple Melody
- It's Been a Long, Long, Long Time
- Alexander's Ragtime Band
- Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral (That's an Irish Lullaby)
- In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening
- Dear Hearts and Gentle People
- Far Away Places
- South America, Take It Away
- A Gal in Calico
- The Whippenpoof Song
- Mule Train
- Sioux City Sue
- Pistol Packin' Mama
- Baia
- Busy Doing Nothin'
- If I Loved You
- Galway Bay
- Sam's Songs
- Ghost Riders in the Sky
- You Belong to My Heart
- Ya-ta-ta, Ya-ta-ta (Talk, talk, talk)
- The Bells of St. Mary's
- Now Is the Hour
- Happy Holidays
- We Wish You a Merry Christmas
- Adeste Fideles
- Beautiful Savior
- Silent Night
- The Christmas Song
- Jingle Bells
- God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
- Let It Snow, Let It Snow
- Ill Be Home for Christmas
- Joy to the World
- The First Noel
- Good King Wenceslaus
- Away in a Manger
- Deck the Halls
- O Little Town of Bethlehem
- The Holly and the Ivy
- Rudolp the Red-Nosed Reindeer
- The Little Drummer Boy
- Bring a Torch Jeannette, Isabella / Away in a Manger
- White Christmas
- We Wish You a Merry Christmas (Finale)
- Swinging on a Star
- Sugar
- Dear Hearts and Gentle People
- Ac-cent-tchu-ate the Positive
- Lazy River
- Where the Blue of the Night (Meets the Gold of the Day)
- Don't Fence Me In
- Bye Bye Blues
- Easter Parade
- Dardanella
- Blue Skies
- All by Myself
- A Couple of Song and Dance Men
- I've Got My Captain Working for Me Now
- (I'll See You In) Cuba
- (Running Around in Circles) Getting Nowhere
- Everybody Step
- You Keep Coming Back Like a Song
- A Seremade to an Old-Fashion Girl
- I'd Rather Be Me
- Out of This World
- June Comes Around Every Year
- White Christmas
- Stardust
- You Made Me Love You
- Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams
- Beautiful Dreamer
- Ain't Got a Dime to My Name
- My Melancholy Baby
- It Must Be True
- Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
- Jingle Bells
- When My Dreamboat Comes Home
- Someday Sweetheart
- Yes Indeed
- Basin Street Blues
- The Waiter and the Porter and the Upstairs Maid
- The Birth of the Blues
- You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby
- Lazy
- Sweet Potato Piper
- Ain't Got Nobody
- Only Forever
- Sierra Sue
- Trade Winds
- Be Careful, It's My Heart
- Moonlight Becomes You
- Sunday, Monday, or Always
- People Will Say We're in Love
- Pistol Packin' Mama
- San Fernando Valley
- Swinging on a Star
- I Love You
- Amor, Amor
- I'll Be Seeing You
- Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral, That's an Irish Lullaby
- Don't Fence Me In
- It's Been a Long, Long Time
- I Can't Begin to Tell You
- McNamara's Band
- South America, Take It Away
- The Wiffenpoof Song
- Galway Bay
- Far Away Places
- Dear Hearts and Gentle People
- Now Is the Hour
- White Christmas
- Swinging on a Star
- Where the Blues of the Night (Meets the Cold of the Day)
- Stardust
- I Got Plenty O' Nuttin'
- I'm an Old Cowhand (From the Rio Grande)
- I've Got a Pocketful of Dreams
- You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby
- Sierra Sue
- New Antonio Rose
- Easter Parade
- I'll Be Seeing You
- Moonlight Becomes You
- San Fernando Valley
- Don't Fence Me In
- The Road to Morocco
- Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral
- MacNamara's Band
- Galway Band
- Dear Hearts and Gentle People
- Play a Simple Melody
- Harbour Lights
- Autumn Leaves
- Getting to Know You
- Around the World (In Eighty Days)
- Thanks for the Memory
- Christmas Is A-Coming (May God Bless You)
- Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer
- Sleigh Ride
- Deck the Halls; That Christmas Feeling; I'd Like to Hitch a Ride With Santa Claus
- That Christmas Feeling
- Looks Like a Cold Cold Winter
- I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
- Silent Night, Holy Night
- The First Snowfall
- A Marshmallow World
- Snow
- Sleigh Bell Serenade
- Is Christmas Only a Tree
- Little Jack Frost Get Lost
- The Snowman; That Christmas Feeling; I'd Like to Hitch a Ride With Santa Claus
- Happy Holiday
- Gone Fishing
- A Couple of Songs & Dance Men
- Zing a Little Song
- The Spaniard That Blighted My Life
- The Moon Came Up With a Great Idea
- Mr. Gallagher and Mr. Shean
- Connecticut
- Put It There Pal
- Pennies From Heaven
- Shine
- A Fine Romance
- Alexander's Ragtime Band
- Small Fry
- Pistol Packin' Mama
- Road to Morocco
- Dinah
- The Three Cabelleros
- Life Is Just a Bowl of Cherries
- Danny Boy
- Oh! 'Tis Sweet to Think With Ann Blyth
- The Rose of Tralee
- Dear Old Donegal
- McNamara's Band
- When Irish Eyes Are Smiling
- Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral (That's an Irish Lullaby)
- How Can You Buy Killarney?
- Galway Bay
- St. Patrick's Day Parade
- Swinging on a Star
- Going My Way
- Ac-cent-tchu-ate the Positive
- Aren't You Glad You're You?
- Welcome to My Dream
- Out of This World
- You Keep Coming Back Like a Song
- As Long As I'm Dreaming
- Tallahassee
- But Beautiful
- I Kiss Your Hand, Madame
- Friendly Mountains
- Once and for Always
- The Donovans
- Katrina
- The Horse Told Me
- Life Is So Peculiar
- In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening
- Zing a Little Zong
- Hoot Man
- To See You
- The Magic Window
- Count Your Blessings
- Dissertation on the State of Bliss
- All Through the Night
- Silent Night
- White Christmas
- Faith of Our Fathers
- God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
- Adeste Fideles
- I'll Be Home for Christmas
- Jingle Bells
- Christmas in Killarney
- Silver Bells
- It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas
- Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
- Mele Kalikimaka
- Too-Ra-Loo_ral
- Galway Bay
- White Christmas
- Silent Night
- Adeste Fideles
- The Christmas Song
- Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ra
- Silver Bells
- God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
- Rudolf The Red Nosed Reindeer
- Christmas Medley
- MacNamara's Band
- Baby, It's Cold Outside (feat. James Stewart)
- Hark the Herald Angels Sing (feat. Frank Sinatra)
- Singin' in the Rain
- Young at Heart
- I Can Dream Can't I
- Valencia
- You Belong to Me
- Wish You Were Here
- Moonlight Bay
- Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes
- That's a Plenty
- Answer Me, My Love
- I Don't Know Why
- Stranger in Paradise
- Lullaby of Broadway
- Where Is Your Heart?
- Surrey With the Fringe on Top
- You Go to My Head
- Lady of Spain
- Two to Tango
- P.S. I Love You
- Till We Meet Again
- Hello, Hello
- Great Day
- On a Slow Boat to China
- That Lucky Old Sun
- If I Knew You Were Comin' I'd've Baked a Cake
- Zip A Dee Doo Dah
- On Top of Old Smokey
- Changing Partners
- Up a Lazy River
- It's Only a Paper Moon
- Hand Holdin' Music
- Everybody Loves My Baby
- You Gotta Start Off Each Day With a Song
- If This Isn't Love
- Louise
- Vaya Con Dios
- It Might as Well Be Spring
- How Are Things in Glocca Morra?
- For Me and My Girl
- The Jones Boys
- The Old Lamplighter
- Cuanto Le Gusta
- I Got the Sun in the Morning
- Clancy Lowered the Boom
- May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You
Born: 1903-05-03
Died: 1977-10-14
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Bing Crosby - Moonlight Becomes You
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 3:02
- Published: 02 Dec 2006
- Updated: 16 Jun 2012
Bing Crosby sings Moonlight Becomes You from the Road to Morocco.
http://wn.com/Bing_Crosby_Moonlight_Becomes_You
Bing Crosby "Swinging on a Star"
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 2:22
- Published: 23 Aug 2007
- Updated: 16 Jun 2012
The great classic "Swinging on a Star" (written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke) as sung by Bing Crosby and the boy's chorus of the movie "Going My Way."
http://wn.com/Bing_Crosby_Swinging_on_a_Star
Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 3:10
- Published: 01 Nov 2007
- Updated: 16 Jun 2012
"Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?" lyrics by Yip Harburg, music by Jay Gorney (1931) They used to tell me I was building a dream, and so I followed the mob, When there was earth to plow, or guns to bear, I was always there right on the job. They used to tell me I was building a dream, with peace and glory ahead, Why should I be standing in line, just waiting for bread? Once I built a railroad, I made it run, made it race against time. Once I built a railroad; now it's done. Brother, can you spare a dime? Once I built a tower, up to the sun, brick, and rivet, and lime; Once I built a tower, now it's done. Brother, can you spare a dime? Once in khaki suits, gee we looked swell, Full of that Yankee Doodly Dum, Half a million boots went slogging through Hell, And I was the kid with the drum! Say, don't you remember, they called me Al; it was Al all the time. Why don't you remember, I'm your pal? Buddy, can you spare a dime? Once in khaki suits, gee we looked swell, Full of that Yankee Doodly Dum, Half a million boots went slogging through Hell, And I was the kid with the drum! Say, don't you remember, they called me Al; it was Al all the time. Say, don't you remember, I'm your pal? Buddy, can you spare a dime?
http://wn.com/Brother,_Can_You_Spare_A_Dime?
Bing Crosby & David Bowie - The Little Drummer Boy / Peace On Earth
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 4:24
- Published: 07 Dec 2010
- Updated: 16 Jun 2012
Music video by Bing Crosby & David Bowie performing The Little Drummer Boy / Peace On Earth. HLC Properties Ltd., under license to Beach Road Music, LLC Bing on Facebook: on.fb.me
http://wn.com/Bing_Crosby_David_Bowie_The_Little_Drummer_Boy_Peace_On_Earth
Bing Crosby - Pennies From Heaven
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 3:10
- Published: 16 Apr 2008
- Updated: 15 Jun 2012
Bing Crosby
http://wn.com/Bing_Crosby_Pennies_From_Heaven
Bing Crosby - "Unchained Melody" (Vintage Parlor Echo Mix)
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 2:51
- Published: 22 Jun 2010
- Updated: 14 Jun 2012
When I heard there was another Bing Crosby radio anthology, I was skeptical. I LOVE Bing Crosby, but there have been so many re-issues of the same old material that I did not have high expectations. Instead, I found nearly 200 previously unreleased masterpieces. On that same line of reasoning, when I saw that he did "Unchained Melody" back in the 50s....I didn't even know the song was that old....I thought it would be totally incongruous to his voice. Happily, I was surprised. His performance is AMAZING!! The simplicity of emotion is incredible, and there are moments where he comes as close to belting that I've ever heard....which is a big contrast in itself. Anyway, here is a mix with the voice brought forward and some echo added so that is it not exactly the same as the original recording.....but really the original is better than this. I have no connection with the recording other than as a fan, but you should try "Bing Crosby CBS Radio Recordings (1954-56)" before it is out of print. It is truly a masterpiece.
http://wn.com/Bing_Crosby_Unchained_Melody_Vintage_Parlor_Echo_Mix
Bing Crosby-"Dinah"
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 2:53
- Published: 23 Jul 2007
- Updated: 12 Jun 2012
w/ The Mills Brothers.
http://wn.com/Bing_Crosby-Dinah
As Time Goes By - Bing Crosby
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 3:20
- Published: 27 Nov 2009
- Updated: 14 Jun 2012
Bing Crosby - Doin' The Bing
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 4:17
- Published: 27 Jan 2011
- Updated: 15 Jun 2012
Bing Crosby performing "Doin' The Bing" (c) HLC Properties LTD under license to South Bay Music Group, LLC. Bing on Facebook: on.fb.me
http://wn.com/Bing_Crosby_Doin'_The_Bing
Bing Crosby - Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 2:06
- Published: 12 Nov 2009
- Updated: 16 Jun 2012
Originally recorded for the 1962 LP "I Wish You A Merry Christmas" and reissued in 2006 on the "Christmas Classics" compilation. Enjoy, and Merry Christmas!
http://wn.com/Bing_Crosby_Let_It_Snow!_Let_It_Snow!_Let_It_Snow!
Bing Crosby - Swinging on a star
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 2:31
- Published: 04 Nov 2008
- Updated: 16 Jun 2012
Swinging on a star by Bing Crosby from the album King Bing.
http://wn.com/Bing_Crosby_Swinging_on_a_star
Bing Crosby-"Sweet Georgia Brown"
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 3:06
- Published: 23 Jul 2007
- Updated: 14 Jun 2012
w/Isham Jones & his orchestra* *Thanks bingfan22!
http://wn.com/Bing_Crosby-Sweet_Georgia_Brown
Don't Fence Me In - Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 3:07
- Published: 21 Jul 2009
- Updated: 16 Jun 2012
Don't Fence Me In - Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters
http://wn.com/Don't_Fence_Me_In_Bing_Crosby_The_Andrews_Sisters
I'll Be Home For Christmas by Bing Crosby
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 2:58
- Published: 23 Aug 2009
- Updated: 13 Jun 2012
Mr. Bing Crosby sings another good holiday tune.
http://wn.com/I'll_Be_Home_For_Christmas_by_Bing_Crosby
Bing Crosby - White Christmas
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 1:15
- Published: 07 Dec 2010
- Updated: 14 Jun 2012
Music video by Bing Crosby performing White Christmas. HLC Properties Ltd., under license to Beach Road Music, LLC Bing on Facebook: on.fb.me
http://wn.com/Bing_Crosby_White_Christmas
BING CROSBY "Blue Skies" JOAN CAULFIELD Irving Berlin "BLUE SKIES" (1946)
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 2:37
- Published: 28 Nov 2009
- Updated: 15 Jun 2012
Bing Crosby sings the title song from the 1946 film "Blue Skies" to Joan Caulfield. Song by Irving Berlin.
http://wn.com/BING_CROSBY_Blue_Skies_JOAN_CAULFIELD_Irving_Berlin_BLUE_SKIES_1946
Bing Crosby Grace Kelly 'True Love'
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 3:39
- Published: 26 Sep 2008
- Updated: 16 Jun 2012
From the film 'High Society'
http://wn.com/Bing_Crosby_Grace_Kelly_'True_Love'
Bing Crosby - White Christmas
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 2:40
- Published: 25 Nov 2008
- Updated: 30 May 2012
Bing Crosby - White Christmas
http://wn.com/Bing_Crosby_White_Christmas
Bing Crosby "TOO-RA-LOO-RA-LOO-RA" Going My Way (1944) BARRY FITZGERALD James Royce Shannon
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 1:54
- Published: 25 May 2009
- Updated: 16 Jun 2012
Bing Crosby sings "Too Ra Loo Ra Loo Ral" to Barry Fitzgerald. From the 1944 Oscar-winning film "Going My Way".
http://wn.com/Bing_Crosby_TOO-RA-LOO-RA-LOO-RA_Going_My_Way_1944_BARRY_FITZGERALD_James_Royce_Shannon
Bing Crosby - Silent Night
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 2:46
- Published: 23 Nov 2007
- Updated: 16 Jun 2012
Video Produced by Bigwallypants. Bing Crosby - Silent Night
http://wn.com/Bing_Crosby_Silent_Night
Bing Crosby "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" 78
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 3:02
- Published: 16 Mar 2008
- Updated: 06 Jun 2012
Bing Crosby "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" 78 GE Transistor record player.
http://wn.com/Bing_Crosby_When_Irish_Eyes_Are_Smiling_78
Bing Crosby "BEAUTIFUL GIRL" Nacio Herb Brown & Arthur Freed Going Hollywood 1933
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 1:43
- Published: 08 May 2009
- Updated: 03 Jun 2012
Harry Lillis Crosby belts out that beautiful ballad, "Beautiful Girl" from the 1933 extravaganza "Going Hollywood". Sterling Holloway (voice of Winnie the Pooh) is the fellow holding the microphone. Music by Nacio Herb Brown Lyrics by Arthur Freed
http://wn.com/Bing_Crosby_BEAUTIFUL_GIRL_Nacio_Herb_Brown_Arthur_Freed_Going_Hollywood_1933
Bing Crosby - Ghost Riders In The Sky
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 3:00
- Published: 02 Apr 2010
- Updated: 15 Jun 2012
Bing Crosby's wonderfully haunting version of this old cowboy legend, written by Stan Jones
http://wn.com/Bing_Crosby_Ghost_Riders_In_The_Sky
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14 Jul 2012
A solar storm is racing toward Earth this weekend, but scientists say not to worry. The blast of charged solar particles was due to arrive on Saturday morning and last through Sunday as it slams into...
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Article by WN.com Correspondent Dallas Darling When Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney used the idiom "Obamacare" at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP),...
Bing Crosby on Acid? 10 Films Plucked from Obscurity at the 8th Annual Orphan Film Symposium
17 Apr 2012
IMDb
Every two years, a group of film geeks -- archivists, preservationists, historians, filmmakers and cinephiles -- get together to share films, videos, and...(size: 1.0Kb)
The Examiner
In 1945, the Oscar winning Best Song was Swinging on a Star. It was written for the Bing Crosby starring film Going My Way by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke. It was recorded in 1944 by Crosby. Legendary crooner Andy Williams and his brothers backed up Bing. The song writer, Jimmy Van Heusen, was...(size: 7.1Kb)
The Bing Crosby Theater SOLD!
16 Feb 2012
MSNBC
SPOKANE, Wash. - GVD Commercial Properties, Inc. has purchased the Bing Crosby Theater. The nearly century-old building at the corner of Sprague and Lincoln was sold by Mitch Silver, owner of Silver Auctions, based in Spokane, in a deal that both parties announced on Feb. 16. The purchase price was...(size: 3.3Kb)
my SA
LOS ANGELES — Actor Dennis Quaid has sold his equestrian estate in Pacific Palisades, Calif., for $9.5 million. The French country-style main house, built in 2004, sits on 2 acres with a second...(size: 1.3Kb)
The Examiner
A small town girl from South Tyneside, England who hit the big time working with the stars died two years ago just four days before her 75th birthday, after a five-year battle with cancer. Mrs. Wilson, worked as a television casting director, rubbing shoulders with many of the greats,...(size: 5.6Kb)
The Wichita Eagle
Q: I watched "White Christmas" starring Bing Crosby the other night, which prompted me to wonder what became of his four boys from his first marriage. Did one or more inherit his singing voice? A: According to the official website bingcrosby.com, Bing had seven children: Gary, twins Dennis and...(size: 4.5Kb)
mediabistro
In a special Christmas Morning performance, “CBS Sunday Morning” host Charles Osgood and singer Darlene Love will perform...(size: 0.9Kb)
The Los Angeles Times
A Toluca Lake home still referred to as the Bing Crosby Estate despite a succession of other entertainment industry owners has sold for $4.02 million. The singer and actor lived on the property from 1936 until early January 1943, when the 20-room house there was gutted in a Christmas tree fire,...(size: 30.5Kb)
| Bing Crosby | |
|---|---|
 Crosby on June 15, 1942 |
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Harry Lillis Crosby |
| Born | (1903-05-03)May 3, 1903[1] Tacoma, Washington, US |
| Died | October 14, 1977(1977-10-14) (aged 74) Madrid, Spain |
| Genres | Traditional pop, jazz, vocal[2] |
| Occupations | Singer, actor |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1926–1977 |
| Labels | Brunswick, Decca, Reprise, RCA Victor, Verve, United Artists |
| Associated acts | Bob Hope, Dixie Lee, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Fred Astaire, The Rhythm Boys, Rosemary Clooney, David Bowie, Louis Armstrong |
| Website | bingcrosby.com |
Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby (May 3, 1903 – October 14, 1977)[3] was an American singer and actor. Crosby's trademark bass-baritone voice made him one of the best-selling recording artistes of the 20th century, with over half a billion records in circulation.[4]
A multimedia star, from 1934 to 1954 Bing Crosby was a leader in record sales, radio ratings and motion picture grosses.[5] His early career coincided with technical recording innovations; this allowed him to develop a laid-back, intimate singing style that influenced many of the popular male singers who followed him, including Perry Como,[6] Frank Sinatra, and Dean Martin. Yank magazine recognized Crosby as the person who had done the most for American G.I. morale during World War II and, during his peak years, around 1948, polls declared him the "most admired man alive," ahead of Jackie Robinson and Pope Pius XII.[7][8] Also in 1948, the Music Digest estimated that Crosby recordings filled more than half of the 80,000 weekly hours allocated to recorded radio music.[8]
Crosby exerted an important influence on the development of the postwar recording industry. He worked for NBC at the time and wanted to record his shows; however, most broadcast networks did not allow recording. This was mainly because of the quality of recording at the time. While in Europe performing during the war, Crosby had witnessed tape recording, on which The Crosby Research Foundation would come to have many patents. The company also developed equipment and recording techniques such as the Laugh Track which are still in use today.[9] In 1947, he invested $50,000 in the Ampex company, which built North America's first commercial reel-to-reel tape recorder. He left NBC to work for ABC because NBC was not interested in recording at the time. This proved beneficial because ABC accepted him and his new ideas.[10] Crosby then became the first performer to pre-record his radio shows and master his commercial recordings onto magnetic tape. He gave one of the first Ampex Model 200 recorders to his friend, musician Les Paul, which led directly to Paul's invention of multitrack recording. Along with Frank Sinatra, Crosby was one of the principal backers behind the famous United Western Recorders recording studio complex in Los Angeles.[11]
During the "Golden Age of Radio," performers often had to recreate their live shows a second time for the west coast time zone. Through the medium of recording, Crosby constructed his radio programs with the same directorial tools and craftsmanship (editing, retaking, rehearsal, time shifting) being used in motion picture production. This became the industry standard.
Crosby won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Father Chuck O'Malley in the 1944 motion picture Going My Way, and was nominated for his reprise of the role in The Bells of St. Mary's the next year, becoming the first of four actors to be nominated twice for playing the same character. In 1963, Crosby received the first Grammy Global Achievement Award.[12] Crosby is one of the 22 people to have three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Early life[link]
Crosby was born in Tacoma, Washington, on May 3, 1903,[1] in a house his father built at 1112 North J Street.[13] In 1906, Crosby's family moved to Spokane, Washington.[14] In 1913, Crosby's father built a house at 508 E. Sharp Ave.[15] The house now sits on the campus of Bing's alma mater Gonzaga University and formerly housed the Alumni Association.
He was the fourth of seven children: brothers Larry (1895–1975), Everett (1896–1966), Ted (1900–1973), and Bob (1913–1993); and two sisters, Catherine (1904–1974) and Mary Rose (1906–1990). His parents were Harry Lincoln Crosby (1870–1950), a bookkeeper, and Catherine Helen (known as Kate) (née Harrigan; 1873–1964). Crosby's mother was a second generation Irish-American.[16] His father was of English descent; some of his ancestors had emigrated to what would become the U.S. in the 17th century, and included Patience Brewster, the daughter of the Pilgrim leader and Mayflower passenger William Brewster (c. 1567 – April 10, 1644).[17]
In 1910, six-year-old Harry Crosby was forever renamed. The Sunday edition of the Spokesman-Review published a feature called "The Bingville Bugle".[18][19] Written by humorist Newton Newkirk, The Bingville Bugle was a parody of a hillbilly newsletter filled with gossipy tidbits, minstrel quips, creative spelling, and mock ads. A neighbor, 15-year-old Valentine Hobart, shared Crosby's enthusiasm for "The Bugle" and noting Crosby's laugh, took a liking to him and called him "Bingo from Bingville". Eventually the last vowel was dropped and the nickname stuck.[20]
In 1917, Crosby took a summer job as property boy at Spokane's "Auditorium," where he witnessed some of the finest acts of the day, including Al Jolson, who held Crosby spellbound with his ad libbing and spoofs of Hawaiian songs. Crosby later described Jolson's delivery as "electric".[21]
Popular success[link]
Music[link]
 |
This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (January 2011) |
In 1923, Bing Crosby was invited to join a new band composed of high school students much younger than himself. Al Rinker, Miles Rinker, James Heaton, Claire Pritchard and Robert Pritchard, along with drummer Bing Crosby, formed the Musicaladers, who performed at dances both for high school students and club-goers. However, the group disbanded after two years. .[22]
By 1925, Crosby had formed a vocal duo with partner Al Rinker, brother of singer Mildred Bailey. Mildred introduced Al and Bing to Paul Whiteman, who was at that time America's most famous bandleader. Hired for $150 a week, they made their debut on December 6, 1926 at the Tivoli Theatre (Chicago). Their first recording was "I've Got The Girl," with Don Clark's Orchestra, but the Columbia-issued record did them no vocal favors, as it was inadvertently recorded at a speed slower than it should have been, which increased the singers' pitch when played at 78 rpm. Throughout his career, Bing Crosby often credited Mildred Bailey for getting him his first important job in the entertainment business.
Even as the Crosby and Rinker duo was increasing in popularity, Whiteman added a third member to the group. The threesome, now including pianist and aspiring songwriter Harry Barris, were dubbed "The Rhythm Boys". They joined the Whiteman touring act, performing and recording with musicians Bix Beiderbecke, Jack Teagarden, Tommy Dorsey, Jimmy Dorsey, and Eddie Lang and Hoagy Carmichael, and appeared together in a Whiteman movie.
Crosby soon became the star attraction of the Rhythm Boys, and in 1928 had his first number one hit with the Whiteman orchestra, a jazz-influenced rendition of "Ol' Man River". However, Crosby's reported taste for alcohol and his growing dissatisfaction with Whiteman led to the Rhythm Boys quitting to join the Gus Arnheim Orchestra. During his time with Arnheim, the other two Rhythm Boys were increasingly pushed to the background as the emphasis was on Crosby. Harry Barris wrote several of Crosby's subsequent hits including "At Your Command," "I Surrender Dear", and "Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams". But the members of the band had a falling out and split, setting the stage for Crosby's solo career.[23]
On September 2, 1931, Crosby made his solo radio debut.[24] Before the end of the year, he signed with both Brunswick Records and CBS Radio. Doing a weekly 15-minute radio broadcast, Crosby quickly became a huge hit.[23] His songs "Out of Nowhere", "Just One More Chance", "At Your Command" and "I Found a Million Dollar Baby (in a Five and Ten Cent Store)" were all among the best selling songs of 1931.[23]
As the 1930s unfolded, Crosby became the leading singer in America. Ten of the top 50 songs for 1931 featured Crosby, either solo or with others. A so-called "Battle of the Baritones" with singing star Russ Columbo proved short-lived, replaced with the slogan "Bing Was King." Crosby played the lead in a series of sound era musical comedy short films for Mack Sennett, signed a long-term deal with Jack Kapp's new record company Decca, and starred in his first full-length feature, 1932's The Big Broadcast, the first of 55 films in which he received top billing. He would appear in 79 pictures.
Around this time Crosby co-starred on radio with The Carl Fenton Orchestra on a popular CBS radio show. By 1936, he'd replaced his former boss, Paul Whiteman, as the host of NBC's Kraft Music Hall, the weekly radio program where he remained for the next ten years. "Where the Blue of the Night (Meets the Gold of the Day)", which also showcased one of his then-trademark whistling interludes, became his theme song and signature tune.
Crosby's much-imitated style helped take popular singing beyond the kind of "belting" associated with boisterous performers like Al Jolson, who had been obliged to reach the back seats in New York theatres without the aid of the microphone. As Henry Pleasants noted in The Great American Popular Singers, something new had entered American music, a style that might be called "singing in American," with conversational ease. This new sound led to the popular epithet "crooner".
Crosby made numerous live appearances before American troops fighting in the European Theater. He also learned how to pronounce German from written scripts, and would read propaganda broadcasts intended for the German forces. The nickname "Der Bingle" for him was understood to have become current among Crosby's German listeners, and came to be used by his English-speaking fans. In a poll of U.S. troops at the close of World War II, Crosby topped the list as the person who had done the most for G.I. morale, ahead of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, General Dwight Eisenhower, and Bob Hope.
"White Christmas"[link]
The biggest hit song of Crosby's career was his recording of Irving Berlin's "White Christmas", which he first introduced on a Christmas Day radio broadcast in 1941 (of which no extant copy is known), and soon thereafter in his 1942 movie Holiday Inn. Crosby's recording hit the charts on October 3, 1942, and rose to No. 1 on October 31, where it stayed for 11 weeks. A holiday perennial, the song was repeatedly re-released by Decca, charting another 16 times. It topped the charts again in 1945, and for a third time in January 1947. The song remains the best-selling single of all time.[23] According to Guinness World Records, Crosby's recording of "White Christmas" has "sold over 100 million copies around the world, with at least 50 million sales as singles."[25] Crosby's recording was so popular that he was obliged to re-record it in 1947 using the same musicians and backup singers; the original 1942 master had become damaged due to its frequent use in pressing additional singles. Though the two versions are very similar, it is the 1947 recording which is most familiar today. Crosby was dismissive of his role in the song's success, saying later that "a jackdaw with a cleft palate could have sung it successfully."
Motion pictures[link]
With 1,077,900,000 movie tickets sold, Crosby is by that measure the third most popular actor of all time, behind Clark Gable and John Wayne.[26] The Quigley Publishing Company's International Motion Picture Almanac lists Crosby in a tie for second on the "All Time Number One Stars List" with Clint Eastwood, Tom Hanks, and Burt Reynolds.[27] Crosby's most popular film, White Christmas, grossed $30 million in 1954 ($260 million in current value).[26] Crosby won an Academy Award for Best Actor for Going My Way in 1944, and was nominated for the 1945 sequel, The Bells of Saint Mary's. He received critical acclaim for his performance as an alcoholic entertainer in The Country Girl, and received his third Academy Award nomination.
Crosby starred with Bob Hope in seven Road to musical comedies between 1940 and 1962, cementing the two entertainers as an on-and-off duo, despite never officially declaring themselves a "team" in the sense that Laurel and Hardy or Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis were teams. The series consists of Road to Singapore (1940), Road to Zanzibar (1941), Road to Morocco (1942), Road to Utopia (1946), Road to Rio (1947), Road to Bali (1952), and The Road to Hong Kong (1962), and Crosby and Hope were planning another entry called The Road to the Fountain of Youth in 1977, which was dropped upon Crosby's death. Appearing solo, Crosby and Hope frequently made note of the other during their various appearances, typically in a comically insulting fashion, and they appeared together countless times on stage, radio, and television over the decades as well as cameos in several additional films.
By the late 1950s, Crosby's singing career had evolved into that of an avuncular elder statesman, and his albums Bing Sings Whilst Bregman Swings and Bing With A Beat sold reasonably well,[23] even in the rock 'n roll era. In 1960, Crosby starred in High Time, a collegiate comedy with Fabian and Tuesday Weld that foretold the emerging gap between older Crosby fans and a new generation of films and music.[23]
Warner Bros. cartoons occasionally caricatured Crosby, alternately as an animal and as himself. His recognizable appearance popped up in I've Got to Sing a Torch Song, Hollywood Steps Out and What's Up, Doc?, while bird versions appeared in The Woods Are Full of Cuckoos, Swooner Crooner and Curtain Razor. Bingo Crosbyana had an insect version of him.
Television[link]
The Fireside Theater (1950) was Crosby's first television production. The series of 26-minute shows was filmed at Hal Roach Studios rather than performed live on the air. The "telefilms" were syndicated to individual television stations.
Crosby was a frequent guest on the musical variety shows of the 1950s and 1960s. He was especially closely associated with ABC's variety show The Hollywood Palace. He was the show's first and most frequent guest host, and appeared annually on its Christmas edition with his wife Kathryn and his younger children. In the early 1970s he made two famous late appearances on the Flip Wilson Show, singing duets with the comedian. Crosby's last TV appearance was a Christmas special filmed in London in September 1977 and aired just weeks after his death. It was on this special that Crosby recorded a duet of "The Little Drummer Boy" and "Peace on Earth" with the flamboyant rock star David Bowie. It was rush-released as a single 45-rpm record, and has since become a staple of holiday radio, and the final popular hit of Crosby's career. At the end of the century, TV Guide listed the Crosby-Bowie duet as one of the 25 most memorable musical moments of 20th-century television.
Bing Crosby Productions, affiliated with Desilu Studios and later CBS Television Studios, produced a number of television series, including Crosby's own unsuccessful ABC sitcom The Bing Crosby Show in the 1964–1965 season (with co-stars Beverly Garland and Frank McHugh). The company produced two ABC medical dramas, Ben Casey (1961–1966) and Breaking Point (1963–1964), the popular Hogan's Heroes (1965–1971) military comedy on CBS, as well as the lesser-known show Slattery's People (1964–1965).
Singing style and vocal characteristics[link]
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This unreferenced section requires citations to ensure verifiability. |
Crosby was one of the first singers to exploit the intimacy of the microphone, rather than using the deep, loud "vaudeville style" associated with Al Jolson and others. Crosby's love and appreciation of jazz music helped bring the genre to a wider mainstream audience. Within the framework of the novelty singing style of The Rhythm Boys, Crosby bent notes and added off-tune phrasing, an approach that was firmly rooted in jazz. He had already been introduced to Louis Armstrong and Bessie Smith prior to his first appearance on record. Crosby and Armstrong would remain professionally friendly for decades, notably in the 1956 film High Society, where they sang the duet "Now You Has Jazz."
During the early portion of his solo career (about 1931–1934), Crosby's emotional, often pleading style of crooning was extremely popular. But Jack Kapp (manager of Brunswick and later Decca) talked Crosby into dropping many of his jazzier mannerisms, in favor of a straight-ahead clear vocal style.
Crosby also elaborated on a further idea of Al Jolson's: phrasing, or the art of making a song's lyric ring true. His success in doing so was influential. "I used to tell Sinatra over and over," said Tommy Dorsey, "there's only one singer you ought to listen to and his name is Crosby. All that matters to him is the words, and that's the only thing that ought to for you, too."
Vocal critic Henry Pleasants wrote:
[While] the octave B flat to B flat in Bing's voice at that time [1930s] is, to my ears, one of the loveliest I have heard in forty-five years of listening to baritones, both classical and popular, it dropped conspicuously in later years. From the mid-1950s, Bing was more comfortable in a bass range while maintaining a baritone quality, with the best octave being G to G, or even F to F. In a recording he made of 'Dardanella' with Louis Armstrong in 1960, he attacks lightly and easily on a low E flat. This is lower than most opera basses care to venture, and they tend to sound as if they were in the cellar when they get there.[28]
Career statistics[link]
Crosby's was among the most popular and successful musical acts of the 20th century. Although Billboard Magazine operated under different methodologies for the bulk of Crosby's career, his chart numbers remain astonishing: 383 chart singles, including 41 No. 1 hits. Crosby had separate charting singles in every calendar year between 1931 and 1954; the annual re-release of "White Christmas" extended that streak to 1957. He had 24 separate popular singles in 1939 alone. Billboard's statistician Joel Whitburn determined Crosby to be America's most successful recording act of the 1930s, and again in the 1940s.
For 15 years (1934, 1937, 1940, 1943–1954), Crosby was among the top 10 in box office drawing power, and for five of those years (1944–1948) he was tops in the world.[23] He sang four Academy Award-winning songs – "Sweet Leilani" (1937), "White Christmas" (1942), "Swinging on a Star" (1944), "In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening" (1951) – and won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Going My Way (1944).
He collected 23 gold and platinum records, according to the book Million Selling Records. The Recording Industry Association of America did not institute its gold record certification program until 1958, by which point Crosby's record sales were barely a blip; prior to that point, gold records are awarded by an artist's own record company. Universal Music, current owner of Crosby's Decca catalog, has never requested RIAA certification for any of his hit singles.
Although often overlooked in many Crosby biographies, Bing charted an impressive 23 Billboard hits from 47 recorded songs with the immensely popular Andrews Sisters, whose Decca record sales were second only to Bing's throughout the 1940s. Patty, Maxene, and LaVerne were his most frequent collaborators on disc from 1939–1952, a partnership which produced four million-selling singles: "Pistol Packin' Mama," "Jingle Bells," "Don't Fence Me In," and "South America, Take it Away." They made one film appearance together in "Road to Rio" singing "You Don't Have to Know the Language," and they sang together countless times on radio shows throughout the 1940s and 1950s (appearing as guests on each other's shows quite often, as well as on many shows for the Armed Forces Radio Service during World War Two and beyond. The quartet's Top-10 Billboard hits from 1943–1945 (including "The Vict'ry Polka," "There'll Be a Hot Time in the Town of Berlin (When the Yanks Go Marching In)," and "Is You Is or Is You Ain't (Ma' Baby?)") helped provide the musical soundtrack for America's greatest generation during the dark war years.[29]
In 1962, Crosby was given the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He has been inducted into the halls of fame for both radio and popular music. In 2007 Crosby was inducted into the Hit Parade Hall of Fame, and in 2008 into the Western Music Hall of Fame.[30]
Entrepreneurship[link]
Mass media[link]
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This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (January 2007) |
Crosby's radio career took a significant turn in 1945, when he clashed with NBC over his insistence that he be allowed to pre-record his radio shows. (The live production of radio shows was also reinforced by the musicians' union and ASCAP, which wanted to ensure continued work for their members.) In On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio, historian John Dunning wrote about German engineers having developed a tape recorder with a near-professional broadcast quality standard:
[Crosby saw] an enormous advantage in prerecording his radio shows. The scheduling could now be done at the star's convenience. He could do four shows a week, if he chose, and then take a month off. But the networks and sponsors were adamantly opposed. The public wouldn't stand for 'canned' radio, the networks argued. There was something magic for listeners in the fact that what they were hearing was being performed, and heard everywhere, at that precise instant. Some of the best moments in comedy came when a line was blown and the star had to rely on wit to rescue a bad situation. Fred Allen, Jack Benny, Phil Harris, and, yes, Crosby were masters at this, and the networks weren't about to give it up easily.
Crosby's insistence eventually factored into the further development of magnetic tape sound recording and the radio industry's widespread adoption of it.[31][32][33] He used his clout, both professional and financial, to innovate new methods of reproducing audio of his performances. But NBC (and competitor CBS) were also insistent, refusing to air prerecorded radio programs. Crosby walked away from the network and stayed off the air for seven months, creating a legal battle with Kraft, his sponsor, that was settled out of court. Crosby returned to the air for the last 13 weeks of the 1945–1946 season.
The Mutual network, on the other hand, had pre-recorded some of its programs as early as the 1938 run of The Shadow with Orson Welles. And the new ABC network, which had been formed out of the sale of the old NBC Blue network in 1943 following a federal anti-trust action, was willing to join Mutual in breaking the tradition. ABC offered Crosby $30,000 per week to produce a recorded show every Wednesday that would be sponsored by Philco. He would also get an additional $40,000 from 400 independent stations for the rights to broadcast the 30-minute show, which was sent to them every Monday on three 16-inch lacquer/aluminum discs that played ten minutes per side at 33⅓ rpm.
Crosby wanted to change to recorded production for several reasons. The legend that has been most often told is that it would give him more time for his golf game. And he did record his first Philco program in August 1947 so he could enter the Jasper National Park Invitational Golf Tournament in September, just when the new radio season was to start. But golf was not the most important reason.
Though Crosby did want more time to tend his other business and leisure activities, he also sought better quality through recording, including being able to eliminate mistakes and control the timing of his show performances. Because his own Bing Crosby Enterprises produced the show, he could purchase the latest and best sound equipment and arrange the microphones his way; the logistics of mic placement had long been a hotly debated issue in every recording studio since the beginning of the electrical era. No longer would he have to wear the hated toupee on his head previously required by CBS and NBC for his live audience shows (he preferred a hat). He could also record short promotions for his latest investment, the world's first frozen orange juice, sold under the brand name Minute Maid. This investment allowed Crosby to make more money by finding a loophole whereby the IRS couldn't tax him at a 77% rate.[34]
The transcription method posed problems, however. The acetate surface coating of the aluminum discs was little better than the wax that Edison had used at the turn of the 19th to 20th century, with the same limited dynamic range and frequency response.
But Murdo MacKenzie of Bing Crosby Enterprises had seen a demonstration of the German Magnetophon in June 1947—the same device that Jack Mullin had brought back from Radio Frankfurt, along with 50 reels of tape, at the end of the war. It was one of the magnetic tape recorders that BASF and AEG had built in Germany starting in 1935. The 6.5mm ferric-oxide-coated tape could record 20 minutes per reel of high-quality sound. Alexander M. Poniatoff ordered his Ampex company, which he'd founded in 1944, to manufacture an improved version of the Magnetophone.
Crosby hired Mullin to start recording his Philco Radio Time show on his German-made machine in August 1947, using the same 50 reels of I.G. Farben magnetic tape that Mullin had found at a radio station at Bad Nauheim near Frankfurt while working for the U.S. Army Signal Corps. The crucial advantage was editing. As Crosby wrote in his autobiography:
By using tape, I could do a thirty-five or forty-minute show, then edit it down to the twenty-six or twenty-seven minutes the program ran. In that way, we could take out jokes, gags, or situations that didn't play well and finish with only the prime meat of the show; the solid stuff that played big. We could also take out the songs that didn't sound good. It gave us a chance to first try a recording of the songs in the afternoon without an audience, then another one in front of a studio audience. We'd dub the one that came off best into the final transcription. It gave us a chance to ad lib as much as we wanted, knowing that excess ad libbing could be sliced from the final product. If I made a mistake in singing a song or in the script, I could have some fun with it, then retain any of the fun that sounded amusing.
Mullin's 1976 memoir of these early days of experimental recording agrees with Crosby's account:
In the evening, Crosby did the whole show before an audience. If he muffed a song then, the audience loved it – thought it was very funny – but we would have to take out the show version and put in one of the rehearsal takes. Sometimes, if Crosby was having fun with a song and not really working at it, we had to make it up out of two or three parts. This ad lib way of working is commonplace in the recording studios today, but it was all new to us.
Crosby invested US$50,000 in Ampex with an eye towards producing more machines. In 1948, the second season of Philco shows was taped with the new Ampex Model 200 tape recorder using the new Scotch 111 tape from the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing (3M) company. Mullin explained how one new broadcasting technique was invented on the Crosby show with these machines:
One time Bob Burns, the hillbilly comic, was on the show, and he threw in a few of his folksy farm stories, which of course were not in Bill Morrow's script. Today they wouldn't seem very off-color, but things were different on radio then. They got enormous laughs, which just went on and on. We couldn't use the jokes, but Bill asked us to save the laughs. A couple of weeks later he had a show that wasn't very funny, and he insisted that we put in the salvaged laughs. Thus the laugh-track was born.
Crosby had launched the tape recorder revolution in America. In his 1950 film Mr. Music, Bing Crosby is seen singing into one of the new Ampex tape recorders that reproduced his voice better than anything else. Also quick to adopt tape recording was his friend Bob Hope.
Mullin continued to work for Crosby to develop a videotape recorder (VTR). Television production was mostly live television in its early years, but Crosby wanted the same ability to record that he had achieved in radio. 1950's The Fireside Theater, sponsored by Procter and Gamble, was his first television production. Mullin had not yet succeeded with video tape, so Crosby filmed the series of 26-minute shows at the Hal Roach Studios, and the "telefilms" were syndicated to individual television stations.
Crosby did not remain a television producer, but continued to finance the development of videotape. Bing Crosby Enterprises (BCE), gave the world's first demonstration of videotape recording in Los Angeles on November 11, 1951. Developed by John T. Mullin and Wayne R. Johnson since 1950, the device aired what were described as "blurred and indistinct" images, using a modified Ampex 200 tape recorder and standard quarter-inch (6.3 mm) audio tape moving at 360 inches (9.1 m) per second.[35]
TV stations[link]
A Bing Crosby-led group purchased KCOP-TV station in 1954.[36] NAFI Corporation and Bing Crosby purchase together the television station, KPTV, for $4 million on September 1, 1959.[37] In 1960, NAFI purchased KCOP from Crosby's group.[36]
Thoroughbred horse racing[link]
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Crosby was a fan of thoroughbred horse racing and bought his first racehorse in 1935. In 1937, he became a founding partner of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club and a member of its Board of Directors. Operating from the Del Mar Racetrack at Del Mar, California, the group included millionaire businessman Charles S. Howard, who owned a successful racing stable that included Seabiscuit. His son, Lindsay Howard, became one of Crosby's closest friends; Crosby named his son Lindsay after him, and would purchase his 40-room Hillsborough estate from Lindsay in 1965.
Crosby and Lindsay Howard formed Binglin Stable to race and breed thoroughbred horses at a ranch in Moorpark in Ventura County, California. They also established the Binglin stock farm in Argentina, where they raced horses at Hipódromo de Palermo in Palermo, Buenos Aires. A number of Argentine-bred horses were purchased and shipped to race in the United States. On August 12, 1938, the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club hosted a $25,000 winner-take-all match race won by Charles S. Howard's Seabiscuit over Binglin's horse Ligaroti. In 1943, Binglin's horse Don Bingo won the Suburban Handicap at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York.
The Binglin Stable partnership came to an end in 1953 as a result of a liquidation of assets by Crosby, who needed to raise enough funds to pay the hefty federal and state inheritance taxes on his deceased wife's estate.[38] The Bing Crosby Breeders' Cup Handicap at Del Mar Racetrack is named in his honor.
Crosby was also a co-owner of the British colt Meadow Court, with jockey Johnny Longden's friend Max Bell. Meadow Court won the 1965 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and the Irish Derby. In the Irish Derby's winner's circle at the Curragh, Crosby sang "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling."
Though Crosby's stables had some success, he often joked about his horseracing failures as part of his radio appearances. "Crosby's horse finally came in" became a running gag.
Crosby the sportsman[link]
Crosby had an interest in sports. In the 1930s, his friend and former college classmate, Gonzaga head coach Mike Pecarovich appointed Crosby as an assistant football coach.[39] From 1946 until the end of his life, he was part-owner of baseball's Pittsburgh Pirates. Although he was passionate about his team, he was too nervous to watch the deciding Game 7 of the 1960 World Series, choosing to go to Paris with Kathryn and listen to the game on the radio. Crosby had the NBC telecast of the game recorded on kinescope. The game was one of the most famous in baseball history, capped off by Bill Mazeroski's walk-off home run. He apparently viewed the complete film just once, and then stored it in his wine cellar, where it remained undisturbed until it was discovered in December 2009.[40] The restored broadcast was shown on MLB Network in December 2010.
Crosby was also an avid golfer, and in 1978, he and Bob Hope were voted the Bob Jones Award, the highest honor given by the United States Golf Association in recognition of distinguished sportsmanship. He is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame. In 1937, Bing Crosby hosted the first National Pro-Am Golf Championship, the 'Crosby Clambake' as it was popularly known, at Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club in Rancho Santa Fe, California, the event's location prior to World War II. Sam Snead won the first tournament, in which the first place check was for $500. After the war, the event resumed play in 1947 on golf courses in Pebble Beach, where it has been played ever since. Now the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am it has been a leading event in the world of professional golf.
Crosby first took up golf at 12 as a caddy, dropped it, and started again in 1930 with some fellow cast members in Hollywood during the filming of The King of Jazz. Crosby was accomplished at the sport, with a two handicap. He competed in both the British and U.S. Amateur championships, was a five-time club champion at Lakeside Golf Club in Hollywood, and once made a hole-in-one on the 16th at Cypress Point.
Personal life[link]
Crosby was married twice, first to actress/nightclub singer Dixie Lee from 1930 until her death from ovarian cancer in 1952. They had four sons: Gary, twins Dennis and Phillip, and Lindsay. The 1947 film Smash-Up: The Story of a Woman is indirectly based on her life. After Dixie's death, Crosby had relationships with actresses Inger Stevens and Grace Kelly before marrying the actress Kathryn Grant in 1957. They had three children: Harry (who played Bill in Friday the 13th), Mary (best known for portraying Kristin Shepard, the woman who shot J.R. Ewing on TV's Dallas), and Nathaniel.
Kathryn converted to Catholicism in order to marry the singer. Crosby was also a registered Republican, and actively campaigned for Wendell Willkie in 1940 against President Roosevelt, arguing that no man should serve more than two terms in the White House. After Willkie lost, Crosby decreed that he would never again make any open political contributions.
Crosby reportedly had an alcohol problem in his youth, and may have been dismissed from Paul Whiteman's orchestra because of it, but he later got a handle on his drinking. Village Voice jazz critic and Crosby biographer Gary Giddins says that Louis Armstrong's influence on Crosby "extended to his love of marijuana." Crosby smoked it during his early career when it was still legal, and "surprised interviewers" in the 1960s and 1970s by advocating its decriminalization. According to Giddins, Crosby told his son Gary to stay away from alcohol ("It killed your mother"[41]) and suggested he smoke marijuana instead.[41] Gary said, "There were other times when marijuana was mentioned and he'd get a smile on his face."[41] Gary thought his father's marijuana smoking had influenced his easygoing style in his films. Crosby finally quit smoking his pipe following lung surgery in 1974.
After Crosby's death, his eldest son, Gary, wrote a highly critical memoir, Going My Own Way, depicting his father as cold, remote, and both physically and psychologically abusive. Two of Crosby's other sons, Lindsay and Dennis, sided with Gary's claim and stated Crosby abused them as well.[42] Dennis also stated that Crosby would abuse Gary the most often.[42]
Gary Crosby wrote:
We had to keep a close watch on our actions... When one of us left a sneaker or pair of underpants lying around, he had to tie the offending object on a string and wear it around his neck until he went off to bed that night. Dad called it "the Crosby lavalier." At the time the humor of the name escaped me... "Satchel Ass" or "Bucket Butt" or "My Fat-assed Kid." That's how he introduced me to his cronies when he dragged me along to the studio or racetrack... By the time I was ten or eleven he had stepped up his campaign by adding lickings to the regimen. Each Tuesday afternoon he weighed me in, and if the scale read more than it should have, he ordered me into his office and had me drop my trousers... I dropped my pants, pulled down my undershorts and bent over. Then he went at it with the belt dotted with metal studs he kept reserved for the occasion. Quite dispassionately, without the least display of emotion or loss of self-control, he whacked away until he drew the first drop of blood, and then he stopped. It normally took between twelve and fifteen strokes. As they came down I counted them off one by one and hoped I would bleed early... When I saw Going My Way I was as moved as they were by the character he played. Father O'Malley handled that gang of young hooligans in his parish with such kindness and wisdom that I thought he was wonderful too. Instead of coming down hard on the kids and withdrawing his affection, he forgave them their misdeeds, took them to the ball game and picture show, taught them how to sing. By the last reel, the sheer persistence of his goodness had transformed even the worst of them into solid citizens. Then the lights came on and the movie was over. All the way back to the house I thought about the difference between the person up there on the screen and the one I knew at home.[43]
It was revealed that Crosby's will had established a blind trust, with none of the sons receiving an inheritance until they reached the age of 65.[44]
However, younger son Phillip vociferously disputed his brother Gary's claims about their father. Around the time Gary made his claim, Phillip stated to the press that "Gary is a whining...crybaby, walking around with a 2-by-4 and just daring people to nudge it off."[45] However, Phillip did not deny that Crosby believed in corporal punishment.[45] In an interview with People, Phillip stated that "we never got an extra whack or a cuff we didn't deserve."[45] During a later interview conducted in 1999 by the Globe, Phillip said:
My dad was not the monster my lying brother said he was; he was strict, but my father never beat us black and blue, and my brother Gary was a vicious, no-good liar for saying so. I have nothing but fond memories of Dad, going to studios with him, family vacations at our cabin in Idaho, boating and fishing with him. To my dying day, I'll hate Gary for dragging Dad's name through the mud. He wrote Going My Own Way out of greed. He wanted to make money and knew that humiliating our father and blackening his name was the only way he could do it. He knew it would generate a lot of publicity. That was the only way he could get his ugly, no-talent face on television and in the newspapers. My dad was my hero. I loved him very much. He loved all of us too, including Gary. He was a great father.[46]
Gary Crosby died in 1995 at the age of 62, and 69-year-old Phillip Crosby died in 2004.[47]
Lindsay and Dennis Crosby each committed suicide, shooting themselves with shotguns in 1989 and 1991, respectively. Nathaniel Crosby, Crosby's youngest son from his second marriage, was a high-level golfer who won the U.S. Amateur at age 19 in 1981, at the time the youngest-ever winner of that event (a record later broken by Tiger Woods). Harry Crosby is an investment banker who occasionally makes singing appearances.
Widow Kathryn Crosby dabbled in local theater productions intermittently, and appeared in television tributes to her late husband. Denise Crosby, Dennis Crosby's daughter, is also an actress and is known for her role as Tasha Yar on Star Trek: The Next Generation, and for the recurring role of the Romulan Sela (daughter of Tasha Yar) after her withdrawal from the series as a regular cast member. She also appeared in the film adaptation of Stephen King's novel Pet Sematary. In 2006, Crosby's niece, Carolyn Schneider, published the laudatory book "Me and Uncle Bing."
Failing health and death[link]
Following his recovery from a life-threatening fungal infection of his right lung in 1974, Crosby emerged from semi-retirement to start a new spate of albums and concerts. In March 1977, after videotaping a concert for CBS to commemorate his 50th anniversary in show business and with Bob Hope looking on, Crosby backed off the stage and fell into an orchestra pit, rupturing a disc in his back and requiring a month in the hospital. His first performance after the accident was his last American concert, on August 16, 1977; when the power went out, he continued singing without amplification. In September, Crosby, his family, and singer Rosemary Clooney began a concert tour of England that included two weeks at the London Palladium. While in England, Crosby recorded his final album, Seasons, and his final TV Christmas special with guest David Bowie (which aired several months after Crosby's death). His last concert was in The Brighton Centre four days before his death, with British entertainer Dame Gracie Fields in attendance. Although it has been reported that Crosby's last photograph was taken with Fields[citation needed], he was photographed playing golf on the day he died.[48]
At the conclusion of his work in England, Crosby flew alone to Spain to hunt and play golf. Shortly after 6 pm on October 14, Crosby collapsed and died of a massive heart attack on the green after a round of 18 holes of golf near Madrid where he and his Spanish golfing partner had just defeated their opponents. It is widely written that his last words were "That was a great game of golf, fellas."[49] In Bob Hope's Confessions of a Hooker: My Lifelong Love Affair With Golf, the comedian recounts hearing that Crosby had been advised by a physician in England to play only nine holes of golf because of his heart condition.
Legacy[link]
He is a member of the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in the radio division.[50]
The family launched an official website[51] on October 14, 2007, the 30th anniversary of Crosby's death.
In his 1990 autobiography Don't Shoot, It's Only Me! Bob Hope wrote, "Dear old Bing. As we called him, the Economy-sized Sinatra. And what a voice. God I miss that voice. I can't even turn on the radio around Christmas time without crying anymore."[52]
Calypso musician Roaring Lion wrote a tribute song in 1939 entitled "Bing Crosby", in which he wrote: "Bing has a way of singing with his very heart and soul / Which captivates the world / His millions of listeners never fail to rejoice / At his golden voice..."[53]
Compositions[link]
Crosby co-wrote lyrics to 15 songs. His composition "At Your Command" was no.1 for three weeks on the U.S. pop singles chart beginning on August 8, 1931. "I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance With You" was his most successful composition, recorded by Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra, Thelonious Monk, Billie Holiday, and Mildred Bailey, among others. Songs co-written by Crosby include:
- "That's Grandma" (1927), with Harry Barris and James Cavanaugh
- "From Monday On" (1928), with Harry Barris and recorded with the Paul Whiteman Orchestra featuring Bix Beiderbecke on cornet, no. 14 on US pop singles charts
- "What Price Lyrics?" (1928), with Harry Barris and Matty Malneck
- "At Your Command" (1931), with Harry Barris and Harry Tobias, US, no. 1 (3 weeks)
- "Where the Blue of the Night (Meets the Gold of the Day)" (1931), with Roy Turk and Fred Ahlert, US, no. 4; US, 1940 re-recording, no. 27
- "I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance with You" (1932), with Victor Young and Ned Washington, US, no. 5
- "My Woman" (1932), with Irving Wallman and Max Wartell
- "Love Me Tonight" (1932), with Victor Young and Ned Washington, US, no. 4
- "Waltzing in a Dream" (1932), with Victor Young and Ned Washington, US, no.6
- "I Would If I Could But I Can't" (1933), with Mitchell Parish and Alan Grey
- "Where the Turf Meets the Surf" (1941)
- "Tenderfoot" (1953)
- "Domenica" (1961)
- "That's What Life is All About" (1975), with Ken Barnes, Peter Dacre, and Les Reed, US, AC chart, no. 35; UK, no. 41
- "Sail Away to Norway" (1977)
Filmography[link]
Main article: Bing Crosby filmography
Discography[link]
Main article: Bing Crosby discography
Radio[link]
- The Radio Singers (1931, CBS), sponsored by Warner Brothers, 6 nights a week, 15 minutes.
- The Cremo Singer (1931–1932, CBS), 6 nights a week, 15 minutes.
- Unsponsored (1932, CBS), initially 3 nights a week, then twice a week, 15 minutes.
- Chesterfield's Music that Satisfies (1933, CBS), broadcast two nights, 15 minutes.
- Bing Crosby Entertains for Woodbury Soap (1933–1935, CBS), weekly, 30 minutes.
- Kraft Music Hall (1935–1946, NBC), Thursday nights, 60 minutes until January 1943, then 30 minutes.
- Armed Forces Radio (1941–1945; World War II).
- Philco Radio Time (1946–1949, ABC), 30 minutes weekly.
- The Bing Crosby Chesterfield Show (1949–1952, CBS), 30 minutes weekly.
- The Minute Maid Show (1949–1950, CBS), 15 minutes each weekday morning; Bing as disc jockey.
- The General Electric Show (1952–1954, CBS), 30 minutes weekly.
- The Bing Crosby Show (1954–1956, CBS), 15 minutes, 5 nights a week.
- A Christmas Sing with Bing (1955–1962, CBS, VOA and AFRS), 1 hour each year, sponsored by the Insurance Company of North America.
- The Ford Road Show (1957–1958, CBS), 5 minutes, 5 days a week.
- The Bing Crosby – Rosemary Clooney Show (1958–1962, CBS), 20 minutes, 5 mornings a week, with Rosemary Clooney.
RIAA certification[link]
| Album | RIAA[54] |
|---|---|
| Merry Christmas | Gold |
| Bing sings | 2x platinum |
| White Christmas | 4x platinum |
References[link]
- ^ a b Grudens, 2002, p. 236. "Bing was born on May 2, 1903. He always believed he was born on May 2, 1904."
- ^ Music Genre: Vocal music.Allmusic. Retrieved October 23, 2008.
- ^ Obituary Variety, October 19, 1977.
- ^ "Bing Crosby Billboard Biography". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/artist/bing-crosby/3574#/artist/bing-crosby/bio/3574. Retrieved October 28, 2009.
- ^ Giddins, 2001, p. 8.
- ^ Gilliland, John. Pop Chronicles the 40s: The Lively Story of Pop Music in the 40s. ISBN 978-1-55935-147-8. OCLC 31611854. , cassette 1, side B.
- ^ Giddins, 2001, p. 6.
- ^ a b Hoffman, Dr. Frank. "Crooner". http://www.jeffosretromusic.com/bing.html. Retrieved December 29, 2006.
- ^ Sterling, C. H., & Kittross, J. M. (1990). Stay tuned: A concise history of American broadcasting (2nd ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
- ^ Sterling, C. H., & Kittross, J. M. (1990). Stay tuned: A concise history of american broadcasting (2nd ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
- ^ Cogan, Jim; Clark, William, Temples of sound : inside the great recording studios, San Francisco : Chronicle Books, 2003. ISBN 0-8118-3394-1
- ^ "Lifetime Achievement Award. ''Past Recipients''". Grammy.com. February 8, 2009. http://www.grammy.com/Recording_Academy/Awards/Lifetime_Awards/. Retrieved February 10, 2010.
- ^ Bing Crosby had no birth certificate and his birth date was unconfirmed until his childhood Roman Catholic church released his baptismal record.
- ^ Blecha, Peter (August 29, 2005). "the Free Online Encyclopedia of Washington State History". HistoryLink.org. http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=7445}. Retrieved January 4, 2011.
- ^ Gonzaga History 1980–1989 (September 17, 1986). "Gonzaga History 1980–1989 – Gonzaga University". Gonzaga.edu. http://www.gonzaga.edu/Academics/Libraries/Foley-Library/Departments/Special-Collections/exhibitions/GonzagaHistory1980.asp. Retrieved January 4, 2011.
- ^ Giddins, Gary (2001). Bing Crosby: A Pocketful of Dreams.
- ^ Giddins, 2001, p. 24.
- ^ Newkirk, Newton (March 14, 1909). "The Bingville Bugle". Spokesman Review. http://www.spokesmanreview.com/blogs/history/media/bingville.pdf. Retrieved September 25, 2010.
- ^ Newkirk, Newton (July 19, 1914). "The Bingville Bugle". Spokesman Review. http://leonardodesa.interdinamica.net/comics/lds/bing/bingville.asp. Retrieved September 25, 2010.
- ^ Gary Giddins (October 8, 2002). Bing Crosby: A Pocketful of Dreams – The Early Years, 1903 – 1940, Volume I. Back Bay Books. http://books.google.com/books?id=Oa2_zcwucAgC&pg=PA39&lpg=PA39&dq=bing+crosby+bingo+bingville+bugle&source=bl&ots=8DHK9U9Lfl&sig=BLFVQNnhQflUL769bVqYXepaWY8&hl=en&ei=JVqeTI-XM4H68Aa-2cAl&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CCcQ6AEwBDgK#v=onepage&q=bing%20crosby%20bingo%20bingville%20bugle&f=false.
- ^ Gilliland, John. Pop Chronicles the 40s: The Lively Story of Pop Music in the 40s. ISBN 978-1-55935-147-8. OCLC 31611854. , cassette 3, side B.
- ^ Giddins, 2001, p. 92-97.
- ^ a b c d e f g Bing Crosby at Allmusic
- ^ "Bing Crosby, Singer". Radio Hall of Fame. http://www.radiohof.org/musicvariety/bingcrosby.html. Retrieved September 2, 2010.
- ^ Guinness Book of Records 2007. Guinness. August 1, 2006. ISBN 978-1-904994-12-1.
- ^ a b "Crosby Movies". Waynesthisandthat.com. http://www.waynesthisandthat.com/crosbymovies.html. Retrieved February 10, 2010.
- ^ "Top Ten Money Making Stars of the past 79 years". Quigley Publishing. http://www.quigleypublishing.com/MPalmanac/Top10/Top10_lists.html. Retrieved August 17, 2011.
- ^ Pleasants, H. (1985). The Great American Popular Singers. Simon and Schuster.
- ^ Sforza, John: "Swing It! The Andrews Sisters Story;" University Press of Kentucky, 2000; 289 pages.
- ^ "Johnny Bond – WMA Hall of Fame". Westernmusic.com. http://www.westernmusic.com/performers/hof-crosby.html. Retrieved February 10, 2010.
- ^ Hammar, Peter. Jack Mullin: The man and his machines. Journal of the Audio Engineering Society, 37 (6): 490–496, 498, 500, 502, 504, 506, 508, 510, 512; June 1989.
- ^ An afternoon with Jack Mullin. NTSC VHS tape, 1989 AES.
- ^ History of Magnetic tape, section: "Enter Bing Crosby" (WayBack Machine)
- ^ "CORPORATIONS: Minute Maid's Man". Time. October 18, 1948. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,799353,00.html. Retrieved August 17, 2011.
- ^ "Tape Recording Used by Filmless 'Camera'," New York Times, November 12, 1951, p. 21. Eric D. Daniel, C. Denis Mee, and Mark H. Clark (eds.), Magnetic Recording: The First 100 Years, IEEE Press, 1998, p. 141. ISBN 0-07-041275-8
- ^ a b "KCOP Studio". Seeing Stars: the Television Studios... http://www.seeing-stars.com/tvstudios/KCOP.shtml. Retrieved March 23, 2011.
- ^ Dunevant, Ronald L.. "KPTV Timeline". Yesterday's KPTV. Ronald L. Dunevant. http://kptv.home.comcast.net/~kptv/timeline/timeline.htm. Retrieved March 23, 2011.
- ^ "Time Magazine Article". Time Magazine. August 3, 1953. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,822904,00.html. Retrieved January 25, 2007.
- ^ Bing Crosby and Gonzaga University: 1925 – 1951, Gonzaga University, retrieved June 6, 2011.
- ^ Sandomir, Richard (September 23, 2010). "In Bing Crosby's Wine Cellar, Vintage Baseball". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/24/sports/baseball/24crosby.html?_r=1&src=mv. Retrieved September 25, 2010.
- ^ a b c Giddins, 2001, p. 181.
- ^ a b Haller, Scot (March 21, 1983). "The Sad Ballad of Bing and His Boys – Child Abuse, Kids & Family Life, Bing Crosby". People. http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20084544,00.html. Retrieved January 4, 2011.
- ^ Gary Crosby (March 1983). Going My Own Way. Doubleday. ISBN 978-0-385-17055-0. http://www.nospank.net/crosbyg.htm.
- ^ Dunn, Ashley (December 13, 1989). "Lindsay Crosby Suicide Laid to End of Inheritance Income". Los Angeles Times. http://articles.latimes.com/1989-12-13/local/me-242_1_lindsay-crosby. Retrieved August 17, 2011.
- ^ a b c "Leah Garchik's Personals". The San Francisco Chronicle. January 20, 2004. http://articles.sfgate.com/2004-01-20/bay-area/17409442_1_gary-crosby-bing-crosby-philip-crosby/2.
- ^ Grudens, 2002, p. 59.
- ^ "Philip Crosby, 69, Son of Bing Crosby". New York Times. January 20, 2004. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A01E5D61439F933A15752C0A9629C8B63. Retrieved November 2, 2008.
- ^ Thomas, 1977, p. 86-87.
- ^ Callahan, Tom (2003-05). "The Bing dynasty: on the 100th anniversary of Crosby's birth, we celebrate the granddaddy of celebrity golf". Golf Digest. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0HFI/is_5_54/ai_101967390. Retrieved November 2, 2008.
- ^ "NAB Hall of Fame". National Association of Broadcasters. http://www.nab.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Awards7&CONTENTID=11047&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm. Retrieved May 3, 2008. [dead link]
- ^ "The Official Home of Bing Crosby". Bingcrosby.com. http://www.BingCrosby.com. Retrieved November 2, 2008.
- ^ Hope, Bob (1990). Don't Shoot, It's Only Me!. Random House Publishers.
- ^ Giddins, 2001, pp. 427–428.
- ^ "RIAA certification". Archived from the original on June 8, 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070608063448/http://www.riaa.com/gp/database/default.asp.
- Bibliography
- Giddins, Gary (2001). Bing Crosby: A Pocketful of Dreams – The Early Years, 1903–1940. Little, Brown and Company. ISBN 0-316-88188-0. http://books.google.com/books?id=Oa2_zcwucAgC.
- Grudens, Richard (2002). Bing Crosby – Crooner of the Century. Celebrity Profiles Publishing Co.. ISBN 1-57579-248-6. http://books.google.com/books?id=Mkz_w-WYiMAC.
- Macfarlane, Malcolm. Bing Crosby – Day By Day. Scarecrow Press, 2001.
- Osterholm, J. Roger. Bing Crosby: A Bio-Bibliography. Greenwood Press, 1994.
- Prigozy, R. & Raubicheck, W., ed. Going My Way: Bing Crosby and American Culture. The Boydell Press, 2007.
- Thomas, Bob (1977). The One and Only Bing. Grosset & Dunlap. ISBN 0-448-14670-3.
Further reading[link]
- Thomas, Nick (2011). Raised by the Stars: Interviews with 29 Children of Hollywood Actors. McFarland. ISBN 978-0-7864-6403-6. (Includes an interview with Crosby's son, Harry, and daughter, Mary)
External links[link]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Bing Crosby |
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Book: Bing Crosby |
| Wikipedia books are collections of articles that can be downloaded or ordered in print. | |
- Official website
- Bing Crosby at the Internet Movie Database
- Bing Crosby at the TCM Movie Database
- Bing Crosby Collection at Gonzaga University
- BING magazine (a publication of the ICC)
- Bing Crosby Official 10" (78Rpm) Discography
- A Bing Crosby Session based discography
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| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| Name | Crosby, Bing |
| Alternative names | Crosby, Harry Lillis (real name) |
| Short description | American singer, actor |
| Date of birth | May 3, 1903 |
| Place of birth | Tacoma, Washington, United States |
| Date of death | October 14, 1977 |
| Place of death | Madrid, Spain |
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| David Bowie | |
|---|---|
 Bowie during the Heathen Tour in 2002. |
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | David Robert Jones |
| Born | (1947-01-08) 8 January 1947 (age 65) Brixton, London, England |
| Genres | Rock, glam rock, art rock, pop |
| Occupations | Musician, singer-songwriter, record producer, actor |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar, keyboards, harmonica, saxophone, viola, cello, koto, percussion |
| Years active | 1964–2008 |
| Labels | Deram, RCA, Virgin, EMI, ISO, Columbia, BMG, Pye |
| Associated acts | The Riot Squad, Arnold Corns, Tin Machine, The Hype, The Lower Third, The Konrads |
| Website | davidbowie.com |
David Bowie (
/ˈboʊ.i/ BOH-ee;[1] born David Robert Jones on 8 January 1947) is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s. He is known for his distinctive voice and the intellectual depth and eclecticism of his work.
Bowie first caught the eye and ear of the public in July 1969, when his song "Space Oddity" reached the top five of the UK Singles Chart. After a three-year period of experimentation he re-emerged in 1972 during the glam rock era with the flamboyant, androgynous alter ego Ziggy Stardust, spearheaded by the hit single "Starman" and the album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. Bowie's impact at that time, as described by biographer David Buckley, "challenged the core belief of the rock music of its day" and "created perhaps the biggest cult in popular culture."[2] The relatively short-lived Ziggy persona proved merely one facet of a career marked by continual reinvention, musical innovation and striking visual presentation.
In 1975, Bowie achieved his first major American crossover success with the number-one single "Fame" and the hit album Young Americans, which the singer characterised as "plastic soul". The sound constituted a radical shift in style that initially alienated many of his UK devotees. He then confounded the expectations of both his record label and his American audiences by recording the minimalist album Low (1977)—the first of three collaborations with Brian Eno over the next two years. The so-called "Berlin Trilogy" albums all reached the UK top five and garnered lasting critical praise.
After uneven commercial success in the late 1970s, Bowie had UK number ones with the 1980 single "Ashes to Ashes", its parent album Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps), and "Under Pressure", a 1981 collaboration with Queen. He then reached a new commercial peak in 1983 with Let's Dance, which yielded several hit singles. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Bowie continued to experiment with musical styles, including blue-eyed soul, industrial, adult contemporary, and jungle. His last recorded album was Reality (2003), which was supported by the 2003–04 Reality Tour.
Buckley says of Bowie: "His influence has been unique in popular culture—he has permeated and altered more lives than any comparable figure."[2] In the BBC's 2002 poll of the 100 Greatest Britons, Bowie was placed at number 29. Throughout his career, he has sold an estimated 140 million albums. In the UK, he has been awarded nine Platinum album certifications, 11 Gold and eight Silver, and in the US, five Platinum and seven Gold certifications. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked him 39th on their list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time", and 23rd on their list of the best singers of all-time.
Contents
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Biography[link]
1947–62: early years[link]
David Bowie was born David Robert Jones in Brixton, London, on 8 January 1947. His mother, Margaret Mary "Peggy" (née Burns), of Irish descent,[3] worked as a cinema usherette, while his father, Haywood Stenton "John" Jones was a promotions officer for Barnardo's. The family lived at 40 Stansfield Road, located near the border of the south London areas of Brixton and Stockwell. A neighbour recalled that "London in the forties was the worst possible place, and the worst possible time for a child to grow up in." Bowie attended Stockwell Infants School until he was six years old, acquiring a reputation as a gifted and single-minded child—and a defiant brawler.[4][5]
In 1953 the family moved to the suburb of Bromley, where, two years later, Bowie progressed to Burnt Ash Junior School. His voice was considered "adequate" by the school choir, and his recorder playing judged to demonstrate above-average musical ability.[6] At the age of nine, his dancing during the newly introduced music and movement classes was strikingly imaginative: teachers called his interpretations "vividly artistic" and his poise "astonishing" for a child.[6] The same year, his interest in music was further stimulated when his father brought home a collection of American 45s by artists including Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, The Platters, Fats Domino, Elvis Presley and Little Richard.[7][8] Upon listening to "Tutti Frutti", Bowie would later say, "I had heard God".[9] Presley's impact on him was likewise emphatic: "I saw a cousin of mine dance to ... 'Hound Dog' and I had never seen her get up and be moved so much by anything. It really impressed me, the power of the music. I started getting records immediately after that."[8] By the end of the following year he had taken up the ukelele and tea-chest bass and begun to participate in skiffle sessions with friends, and had started to play the piano; meanwhile his stage presentation of numbers by both Presley and Chuck Berry—complete with gyrations in tribute to the original artists—to his local Wolf Cub group was described as "mesmerizing ... like someone from another planet."[8] Failing his eleven plus exam at the conclusion of his Burnt Ash Junior education, Bowie joined Bromley Technical High School.[10]
It was an unusual technical school, as biographer Christopher Sandford writes:
Despite its status it was, by the time David arrived in 1958, as rich in arcane ritual as any [English] public school. There were houses, named after eighteenth-century statesmen like Pitt and Wilberforce. There was a uniform, and an elaborate system of rewards and punishments. There was also an accent on languages, science and particularly design, where a collegiate atmosphere flourished under the tutorship of Owen Frampton. In David's account, Frampton led through force of personality, not intellect; his colleagues at Bromley Tech were famous for neither, and yielded the school's most gifted pupils to the arts, a regime so liberal that Frampton actively encouraged his own son, Peter, to pursue a musical career with David, a partnership briefly intact thirty years later.[10]
Bowie studied art, music, and design, including layout and typesetting. After Terry Burns, his half-brother, introduced him to modern jazz, his enthusiasm for players like Charles Mingus and John Coltrane led his mother to give him a plastic alto saxophone in 1961; he was soon receiving lessons from a local musician.[11]
In 1962, George Underwood injured Bowie's eye in a fight over a girl. Bowie owes his unusual eyes to the fact that not all the damage could be surgically repaired. Despite their fisticuffs, Underwood and Bowie remained good friends, and Underwood went on to create the artwork for Bowie's early albums.[12]
Eyes[link]
Bowie received a serious injury at school in 1962 when his friend George Underwood, while wearing a ring on his finger, punched him in the left eye during a fight over a girl. Doctors feared he would become blind in that eye. After a series of operations during a four-month hospitalisation,[13] his doctors determined that the damage could not be fully repaired and Bowie was left with faulty depth perception and a permanently dilated pupil. The latter condition has misled some to believe that Bowie has different coloured eyes, when in reality both irises are the same blue colour. [14]
1962–68: the Konrads to the Riot Squad[link]
Graduating from his plastic saxophone to a real instrument in 1962, Bowie formed his first band at the age of 15. Playing guitar-based rock and roll at local youth gatherings and weddings, the Konrads had a varying line-up of between four and eight members, Underwood among them.[15] When Bowie left the technical school the following year, he informed his parents of his intention to become a pop star. His mother promptly arranged his employment as an electrician's mate. Frustrated by his band-mates' limited aspirations, Bowie left the Konrads and joined another band, the King Bees. He wrote to the newly successful washing-machine entrepreneur John Bloom inviting him to "do for us what Brian Epstein has done for the Beatles—and make another million." Bloom did not respond to the offer, but his referral to Dick James's partner Leslie Conn led to Bowie's first personal management contract.[16]
Conn quickly began to promote Bowie. The singer's debut single, "Liza Jane", credited to Davie Jones and the King Bees, had no commercial success. Dissatisfied with the King Bees and their repertoire of Howlin' Wolf and Willie Dixon blues numbers, Bowie quit the band less than a month later to join the Manish Boys, another blues outfit, who incorporated folk and soul — "I used to dream of being their Mick Jagger", Bowie was to recall.[16] "I Pity the Fool" was no more successful than "Liza Jane", and Bowie soon moved on again to join the Lower Third, a blues trio strongly influenced by The Who. "You've Got a Habit of Leaving" fared no better, signalling the end of Conn's contract. Declaring that he would exit the pop world "to study mime at Sadler's Wells", Bowie nevertheless remained with the Lower Third. His new manager, Ralph Horton, later instrumental in his transition to solo artist, soon witnessed Bowie's move to yet another group, the Buzz, yielding the singer's fifth unsuccessful single release, "Do Anything You Say". While with the Buzz, Bowie also joined the Riot Squad; their recordings, which included a Bowie number and Velvet Underground material, went unreleased. Ken Pitt, introduced by Horton, took over as Bowie's manager.[17]
Dissatisfied with his stage name as Davy (and Davie) Jones, which in the mid-1960s invited confusion with Davy Jones of The Monkees, Bowie renamed himself after the 19th century American frontiersman Jim Bowie and the knife he had popularised.[18] His April 1967 solo single, "The Laughing Gnome", utilising sped-up Chipmunk-style vocals, failed to chart. Released six weeks later, his album debut, David Bowie, an amalgam of pop, psychedelia, and music hall, met the same fate. It would be his last release for two years.[19]
Bowie's fascination with the bizarre was fuelled when he met dancer Lindsay Kemp: "He lived on his emotions, he was a wonderful influence. His day-to-day life was the most theatrical thing I had ever seen, ever. It was everything I thought Bohemia probably was. I joined the circus."[20] Kemp, for his part, recalled, "I didn't really teach him to be a mime artiste but to be more of himself on the outside, ... I enabled him to free the angel and demon that he is on the inside."[20] Studying the dramatic arts under Kemp, from avant-garde theatre and mime to commedia dell'arte, Bowie became immersed in the creation of personae to present to the world. Satirising life in a British prison, meanwhile, the Bowie-penned "Over the Wall We Go" became a 1967 single for Oscar; another Bowie composition, "Silly Boy Blue", was released by Billy Fury the following year.[21] After Kemp cast Bowie with Hermione Farthingale for a poetic minuet, the pair began dating; they soon moved into a London flat together. Playing acoustic guitar, she formed a group with Bowie and bassist John Hutchinson; between September 1968 and early 1969, when Bowie and Farthingale broke up, the trio gave a small number of concerts combining folk, Merseybeat, poetry and mime.[22]
1969–73: psychedelic folk to glam rock[link]
[edit] Space Oddity to Hunky Dory
Because of his lack of commercial success, Bowie was forced to try to earn a living in different ways. He featured in a Lyons Maid ice cream commercial, but was rejected for another by Kit Kat.[23] Intended as a vehicle to promote the singer, a 30-minute film featuring performances from his repertoire, Love You till Tuesday, was made. Although not released until 1984, the filming sessions in January 1969 led to unexpected success when Bowie told the producers, "That film of yours—I've got a new song for it." He then demoed the song that would provide his commercial breakthrough. "Space Oddity" was released later in the year to coincide with the first moon landing.[23] Breaking up with Farthingale shortly after completion of the film, Bowie moved in with Mary Finnigan as her lodger.[24] Continuing the divergence from rock and roll and blues begun by his work with Farthingale, Bowie joined forces with Finnigan, Christina Ostrom and Barrie Jackson to run a folk club on Sunday nights at the Three Tuns pub in Beckenham High Street.[24] This soon morphed into the Beckenham Arts Lab, and became extremely popular. The Arts Lab hosted a free festival in a local park, later immortalised by Bowie in his song "Memory of a Free Festival".[25] "Space Oddity" was released on 11 July, five days ahead of the Apollo 11 launch, to become a UK top five hit. Bowie's second album, Space Oddity, followed in November; originally issued in the UK as David Bowie, it caused some confusion with its predecessor of the same name, and the early US release was instead titled Man of Words/Man of Music. Featuring philosophical post-hippie lyrics on peace, love and morality, its acoustic folk rock occasionally fortified by harder rock, the album was not a commercial success at the time of its release.[26]
Bowie met Angela Barnett in April 1969. They would marry within a year. Her impact on him was immediate, and her involvement in his career far-reaching, leaving Pitt with limited influence.[27] Having established himself as a solo artist with "Space Oddity", Bowie now began to sense a lack: "a full-time band for gigs and recording—people he could relate to personally".[28] The shortcoming was underlined by his artistic rivalry with Marc Bolan, who was at the time acting as his session guitarist.[28] A band was duly assembled. John Cambridge, a drummer Bowie met at the Arts Lab, was joined by Tony Visconti on bass and Mick Ronson on electric guitar. Known as The Hype, the band members created characters for themselves and wore elaborate costumes that prefigured the glam style of The Spiders From Mars. After a disastrous opening gig at the London Roundhouse, they reverted to a configuration presenting Bowie as a solo artist.[28][29] Their initial studio work was marred by a heated disagreement between Bowie and Cambridge over the latter's drumming style; matters came to a head when Bowie, enraged, accused, "You're fucking up my album." Cambridge summarily quit and was replaced by Mick Woodmansey.[30] Not long after, in a move that would result in years of litigation, at the conclusion of which Bowie would be forced to pay Pitt compensation, the singer fired his manager, replacing him with Tony Defries.[30]
The studio sessions continued and resulted in Bowie's third album, The Man Who Sold the World (1970). Characterised by the heavy rock sound of his new backing band, it was a marked departure from the acoustic guitar and folk rock style established by Space Oddity. To promote it in the United States, Mercury Records financed a coast-to-coast publicity tour in which Bowie, between January and February 1971, was interviewed by radio stations and the media. Exploiting his androgynous appearance, the original cover of the UK version unveiled two months later would depict the singer wearing a dress: taking the garment with him, he wore it during interviews—to the approval of critics, including Rolling Stone's John Mendelsohn who described him as "ravishing, almost disconcertingly reminiscent of Lauren Bacall"—and in the street, to mixed reaction including laughter and, in the case of one male pedestrian, producing a gun and telling Bowie to "kiss my ass".[31][32] During the tour Bowie's observation of two seminal American proto-punk artists led him to develop a concept that would eventually find form in the Ziggy Stardust character: a melding of the persona of Iggy Pop with the music of Lou Reed, producing "the ultimate pop idol".[31] A girlfriend recalled his "scrawling notes on a cocktail napkin about a crazy rock star named Iggy or Ziggy", and on his return to England he declared his intention to create a character "who looks like he's landed from Mars".[31]
Hunky Dory (1971) found Visconti, Bowie's producer and bassist, supplanted in both roles, by Ken Scott and Trevor Bolder respectively. The album saw the partial return of the fey pop singer of "Space Oddity", with light fare such as "Kooks", a song written for his son, Duncan Zowie Haywood Jones, born on 30 May.[33] (His parents chose "his kooky name"—he would be known as Zowie for the next 12 years—after the Greek word zoe, life.)[34] Elsewhere, the album explored more serious themes, and found Bowie paying unusually direct homage to his influences with "Song for Bob Dylan", "Andy Warhol", and "Queen Bitch", a Velvet Underground pastiche. It was not a significant commercial success at the time[35] but was ranked No.16 by voters in the All Time Top 1000 Albums.
[edit] Ziggy Stardust
With his next venture, Bowie, in the words of biographer David Buckley, "challenged the core belief of the rock music of its day" and "created perhaps the biggest cult in popular culture".[2] Dressed in a striking costume, his hair dyed red, Bowie launched his Ziggy Stardust stage show with the Spiders from Mars—Ronson, Bolder and Woodmansey—at the Toby Jug pub in Tolworth on 10 February 1972.[36] The show was hugely popular, catapulting him to stardom as he toured the UK over the course of the next six months and creating, as described by Buckley, a "cult of Bowie" that was "unique—its influence lasted longer and has been more creative than perhaps almost any other force within pop fandom."[36] The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972), combining the hard rock elements of The Man Who Sold the World with the lighter experimental rock and pop of Hunky Dory, was released in June. "Starman", issued as an April single ahead of the album, was to cement Bowie's UK breakthrough: both single and album charted rapidly following his July Top of the Pops performance of the song. The album, which would remain in the chart for two years, was soon joined there by the six-month-old Hunky Dory. At the same time the non-album single "John, I’m Only Dancing", and "All the Young Dudes", a song he wrote and produced for Mott the Hoople, became UK hits. The Ziggy Stardust Tour continued to the United States.[37]
Bowie contributed backing vocals to Lou Reed's 1972 solo breakthrough Transformer, co-producing the album with Mick Ronson.[38] His own Aladdin Sane (1973) topped the UK chart, his first number one album. Described by Bowie as "Ziggy goes to America", it contained songs he wrote while travelling to and across the United States during the earlier part of the Ziggy tour, which now continued to Japan to promote the new album. Aladdin Sane spawned the UK top five singles "The Jean Genie" and "Drive-In Saturday".[39][40]
Bowie's love of acting led his total immersion in the characters he created for his music. "Offstage I'm a robot. Onstage I achieve emotion. It's probably why I prefer dressing up as Ziggy to being David." With satisfaction came severe personal difficulties: acting the same role over an extended period, it became impossible for him to separate Ziggy Stardust—and, later, the Thin White Duke—from his own character offstage. Ziggy, Bowie said, "wouldn't leave me alone for years. That was when it all started to go sour ... My whole personality was affected. It became very dangerous. I really did have doubts about my sanity."[41] His later Ziggy shows, which included songs from both Ziggy Stardust and Aladdin Sane, were ultra-theatrical affairs filled with shocking stage moments, such as Bowie stripping down to a sumo wrestling loincloth or simulating oral sex with Ronson's guitar.[42] Bowie toured and gave press conferences as Ziggy before a dramatic and abrupt on-stage "retirement" at London's Hammersmith Odeon on 3 July 1973. Footage from the final show was released in 1983 for the film Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.[43]
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Sample of "Ziggy Stardust" (1972). A pioneer of glam rock, Bowie performed as the character Ziggy Stardust, backed by The Spiders from Mars.
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After breaking up the Spiders from Mars, Bowie attempted to move on from his Ziggy persona. His back catalogue was now highly sought: The Man Who Sold the World had been re-released in 1972 along with Space Oddity. "Life on Mars?", from Hunky Dory, was released in June 1973 and made number three in the UK singles chart. Entering the same chart in September, Bowie's novelty record from 1967, "The Laughing Gnome", would reach number four.[44] Pin Ups, a collection of covers of his 1960s favourites, followed in October, producing a UK number three hit in "Sorrow" and itself peaking at number one, making David Bowie the best-selling act of 1973 in the UK. It brought the total number of Bowie albums currently in the UK chart to six.[45]
1974–76: soul, funk and the Thin White Duke[link]
Bowie moved to the United States in 1974, initially staying in New York City before settling in Los Angeles.[46] Diamond Dogs (1974), parts of which found him heading towards soul and funk, was the product of two distinct ideas: a musical based on a wild future in a post-apocalyptic city, and setting George Orwell's 1984 to music.[47] The album went to number one in the UK, spawning the hits "Rebel Rebel" and "Diamond Dogs", and number five in the US. To promote it, Bowie launched the Diamond Dogs Tour, visiting cities in North America between June and December 1974. Choreographed by Toni Basil, and lavishly produced with theatrical special effects, the high-budget stage production was filmed by Alan Yentob. The resulting documentary, Cracked Actor, featured a pasty and emaciated Bowie: the tour coincided with the singer's slide from heavy cocaine use into addiction, producing severe physical debilitation, paranoia and emotional problems.[48] He later commented that the accompanying live album, David Live, ought to have been titled "David Bowie Is Alive and Well and Living Only In Theory". David Live nevertheless solidified Bowie's status as a superstar, charting at number two in the UK and number eight in the US. It also spawned a UK number ten hit in Bowie's cover of "Knock on Wood". After a break in Philadelphia, where Bowie recorded new material, the tour resumed with a new emphasis on soul.[49]
The fruit of the Philadelphia recording sessions was Young Americans (1975). Biographer Christopher Sandford writes, "Over the years, most British rockers had tried, one way or another, to become black-by-extension. Few had succeeded as Bowie did now."[50] The album's sound, which the singer identified as "plastic soul", constituted a radical shift in style that initially alienated many of his UK devotees.[51] Young Americans yielded Bowie's first US number one, "Fame", co-written with John Lennon, who contributed backing vocals, and Carlos Alomar. Lennon would call Bowie's work as "great, but just rock and roll with lipstick on".[52] Earning the distinction of being one of the first white artists to appear on the US variety show Soul Train, Bowie mimed "Fame", as well as "Golden Years", his November single,[53] that it was offered to Elvis Presley to perform, but Presley declined it.[53] Young Americans was a commercial success in both the US and the UK, and a re-issue of the 1969 single "Space Oddity" became Bowie's first number one hit in the UK a few months after "Fame" achieved the same in the US.[54] Despite his by now well established superstardom, Bowie, in the words of biographer Christopher Sandford, "for all his record sales (over a million copies of Ziggy Stardust alone), existed essentially on loose change."[55] In 1975, in a move echoing Ken Pitt's acrimonious dismissal five years earlier, Bowie fired his manager. At the culmination of the ensuing months-long legal dispute, he watched, as described by Sandford, "millions of dollars of his future earnings being surrendered" in what were "uniquely generous terms for Defries", then "shut himself up in West 20th Street, where for a week his howls could be heard through the locked attic door."[55] Michael Lippman, Bowie's lawyer during the negotiations, became his new manager; Lippman in turn would be awarded substantial compensation when Bowie fired him the following year.[56]
Station to Station (1976) introduced a new Bowie persona, the "Thin White Duke" of its title track. Visually, the character was an extension of Thomas Jerome Newton, the extraterrestrial being he portrayed in the film The Man Who Fell to Earth the same year.[57] Developing the funk and soul of Young Americans, Station to Station also prefigured the Krautrock and synthesiser music of his next releases. The extent to which drug addiction was now affecting Bowie was made public when Russell Harty interviewed the singer for his London Weekend Television talk show in anticipation of the album's supporting tour. Shortly before the satellite-linked interview was scheduled to commence, the death of the Spanish dictator General Franco was announced. Bowie was asked to relinquish the satellite booking, to allow the Spanish Government to put out a live newsfeed. This he refused to do, and his interview went ahead. In the ensuing conversation with Harty, as described by biographer David Buckley, "the singer made hardly any sense at all throughout what was quite an extensive interview. [...] Bowie looked completely disconnected and was hardly able to utter a coherent sentence."[58] His sanity—by his own later admission—had become twisted from cocaine; he overdosed several times during the year, and was withering physically to an alarming degree.[48][59]
Station to Station's January 1976 release was followed in February by a three-and-a-half-month concert tour of Europe and North America. Featuring a starkly lit set, the Isolar – 1976 Tour highlighted songs from the album, including the dramatic and lengthy title track, the ballads "Wild Is the Wind" and "Word on a Wing", and the funkier "TVC 15" and "Stay". The core band that coalesced around this album and tour—rhythm guitarist Alomar, bassist George Murray, and drummer Dennis Davis—would continue as a stable unit for the remainder of the 1970s. The tour was highly successful but mired in political controversy. Bowie was quoted in Stockholm as saying that "Britain could benefit from a Fascist leader", and was detained by customs on the Russian/Polish border for possessing Nazi paraphernalia.[60] Matters came to a head in London in May in what became known as the "Victoria Station incident". Arriving in an open-top Mercedes convertible, the singer waved to the crowd in a gesture that some alleged was a Nazi salute, which was captured on camera and published in NME. Bowie said the photographer simply caught him in mid-wave.[61] He later blamed his pro-Fascism comments and his behaviour during the period on his addictions and the character of the Thin White Duke.[62] "I was out of my mind, totally crazed. The main thing I was functioning on was mythology ... that whole thing about Hitler and Rightism ... I'd discovered King Arthur ...".[59] According to playwright Alan Franks, writing later in The Times, "he was indeed 'deranged'. He had some very bad experiences with hard drugs."[63]
1976–79: the Berlin era[link]
Bowie moved to Switzerland in 1976, purchasing a chalet in the hills to the north of Lake Geneva. In the new environment, his cocaine use increased; so too did his interest in pursuits outside his musical career. He took up painting, and produced a number of post-modernist pieces. When on tour, he took to sketching in a notebook, and photographing scenes for later reference. Visiting galleries in Geneva and the Brücke Museum in Berlin, Bowie became, in the words of biographer Christopher Sandford, "a prolific producer and collector of contemporary art. [...] Not only did he become a well-known patron of expressionist art: locked in Clos des Mésanges he began an intensive self-improvement course in classical music and literature, and started work on an autobiography".[64]
Before the end of 1976, Bowie's interest in the burgeoning German music scene, as well as his drug addiction, prompted him to move to West Berlin to clean up and revitalise his career. Working with Brian Eno while sharing an apartment in Schöneberg with Iggy Pop, he began to focus on minimalist, ambient music for the first of three albums, co-produced with Tony Visconti, that would become known as his Berlin Trilogy.[65] During the same period, Iggy Pop, with Bowie as a co-writer and musician, completed his solo album debut, The Idiot, and its follow-up, Lust for Life, touring the UK, Europe, and the US in March and April 1977.[66] Low (1977), partly influenced by the Krautrock sound of Kraftwerk and Neu!, evidenced a move away from narration in Bowie's songwriting to a more abstract musical form in which lyrics were sporadic and optional. It received considerable negative criticism upon its release—a release which RCA, anxious to maintain the established commercial momentum, did not welcome, and which Bowie's ex-manager, Tony Defries, who still maintained a significant financial interest in the singer's affairs, tried to prevent. Despite these forebodings, Low yielded the UK number three single "Sound and Vision", and its own performance surpassed that of Station to Station in the UK chart, where it reached number two. Leading contemporary composer Philip Glass described Low as "a work of genius" in 1992, when he used it as the basis for his Symphony No. 1 "Low"; subsequently, Glass used Bowie's next album as the basis for his 1996 Symphony No. 4 "Heroes".[67][68] Glass has praised Bowie's gift for creating "fairly complex pieces of music, masquerading as simple pieces".[69]
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Sample of "Heroes" (1977). One of the ambient rock songs to emerge from Bowie's Berlin Trilogy era, "Heroes" gained lasting popularity.
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Echoing Low's minimalist, instrumental approach, the second of the trilogy, "Heroes" (1977), incorporated pop and rock to a greater extent, seeing Bowie joined by guitarist Robert Fripp. Like Low, "Heroes" evinced the zeitgeist of the Cold War, symbolised by the divided city of Berlin.[70] Incorporating ambient sounds from a variety of sources including white noise generators, synthesizers and koto, the album was another hit, reaching number three in the UK. Its title track, though only reaching number 24 in the UK singles chart, gained lasting popularity, and within months had been released in both German and French.[71] Towards the end of the year, Bowie performed the song for Marc Bolan's television show Marc, and again two days later for Bing Crosby's televised Christmas special, when he joined Crosby in "Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy", a version of "The Little Drummer Boy" with a new, contrapuntal verse. Five years later, the duet would prove a worldwide seasonal hit, charting in the UK at number three on Christmas Day, 1982.[72]
After completing Low and "Heroes", Bowie spent much of 1978 on the Isolar II world tour, bringing the music of the first two Berlin Trilogy albums to almost a million people during 70 concerts in 12 countries. By now he had broken his drug addiction; biographer David Buckley writes that Isolar II was "Bowie's first tour for five years in which he had probably not anaesthetised himself with copious quantities of cocaine before taking the stage. [...] Without the oblivion that drugs had brought, he was now in a healthy enough mental condition to want to make friends."[73] Recordings from the tour made up the live album Stage, released the same year.[74]
The final piece in what Bowie called his "triptych", Lodger (1979), eschewed the minimalist, ambient nature of the other two, making a partial return to the drum- and guitar-based rock and pop of his pre-Berlin era. The result was a complex mixture of New Wave and World Music, in places incorporating Hejaz non-Western scales. Some tracks were composed using Eno and Peter Schmidt's Oblique Strategies cards: "Boys Keep Swinging" entailed band members swapping instruments, "Move On" used the chords from Bowie's early composition "All the Young Dudes" played backwards, and "Red Money" took backing tracks from "Sister Midnight", a piece previously composed with Iggy Pop.[75] The album was recorded in Switzerland. Ahead of its release, RCA's Mel Ilberman stated, "It would be fair to call it Bowie's Sergeant Pepper [...] a concept album that portrays the Lodger as a homeless wanderer, shunned and victimized by life's pressures and technology." As described by biographer Christopher Sandford, "The record dashed such high hopes with dubious choices, and production that spelt the end—for fifteen years—of Bowie's partnership with Eno." Lodger reached number 4 in the UK and number 20 in the US, and yielded the UK hit singles "Boys Keep Swinging" and "DJ".[76][77] Towards the end of the year, Bowie and Angela initiated divorce proceedings, and after months of court battles the marriage was ended in early 1980.[78]
1980–89: from superstar to megastar[link]
Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) (1980) produced the number one hit "Ashes to Ashes", featuring the textural work of guitar-synthesist Chuck Hammer and revisiting the character of Major Tom from "Space Oddity". The song gave international exposure to the underground New Romantic movement when Bowie visited the London club "Blitz"—the main New Romantic hangout—to recruit several of the regulars (including Steve Strange of the band Visage) to act in the accompanying video, renowned as one of the most innovative of all time.[79] While Scary Monsters utilised principles established by the Berlin albums, it was considered by critics to be far more direct musically and lyrically. The album's hard rock edge included conspicuous guitar contributions from Robert Fripp, Pete Townshend, Chuck Hammer and Tom Verlaine.[80] As "Ashes to Ashes" hit number one on the UK charts, Bowie opened a three-month run on Broadway on 24 September, starring in The Elephant Man.[81] The same year, he made a cameo appearance in the German film Christiane F., a real-life story of teenage drug addiction in 1970s Berlin. The soundtrack, in which Bowie's music featured prominently, was released as Christiane F. a few months later.
Bowie paired with Queen in 1981 for a one-off single release, "Under Pressure". The duet was a hit, becoming Bowie's third UK number one single. Bowie was given the lead role in the BBC's 1981 televised adaptation of Bertolt Brecht's play Baal. Coinciding with its transmission, a five-track EP of songs from the play, recorded earlier in Berlin, was released as David Bowie in Bertolt Brecht's Baal. In March 1982, the month before Paul Schrader's film Cat People came out, Bowie's title song, "Cat People (Putting Out Fire)", was released as a single, becoming a minor US hit and entering the UK top 30.[82]
Bowie reached a new peak of popularity and commercial success in 1983 with Let's Dance. Co-produced by Chic's Nile Rodgers, the album went platinum in both the UK and the US. Its three singles became top twenty hits in both countries, where its title track reached number one. "Modern Love" and "China Girl" made number two in the UK, accompanied by a pair of acclaimed promotional videos that, as described by biographer David Buckley, "were totally absorbing and activated key archetypes in the pop world. 'Let's Dance', with its little narrative surrounding the young Aborigine couple, targeted 'youth', and 'China Girl', with its bare-bummed (and later partially censored) beach lovemaking scene (a homage to the film From Here to Eternity), was sufficiently sexually provocative to guarantee heavy rotation on MTV. By 1983, Bowie had emerged as one of the most important video artists of the day. Let's Dance was followed by the Serious Moonlight Tour, during which Bowie was accompanied by guitarist Earl Slick and backing vocalists Frank and George Simms. The world tour lasted six months and was extremely popular.[83] Stevie Ray Vaughan was guest guitarist playing solo on "Let's Dance".
Tonight (1984), another dance-oriented album, found Bowie collaborating with Tina Turner and, once again, Iggy Pop. It included a number of cover songs, among them the 1966 Beach Boys hit "God Only Knows". The album bore the transatlantic top ten hit "Blue Jean", itself the inspiration for a short film that won Bowie a Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video, "Jazzin' for Blue Jean". Bowie performed at Wembley in 1985 for Live Aid, a multi-venue benefit concert for Ethiopian famine relief. During the event, the video for a fundraising single was premièred, Bowie's duet with Mick Jagger. "Dancing in the Street" quickly went to number one on release. The same year, Bowie worked with the Pat Metheny Group to record "This Is Not America" for the soundtrack of The Falcon and the Snowman. Released as a single, the song became a top 40 hit in the UK and US.[84]
Bowie was given a role in the 1986 film Absolute Beginners. It was poorly received by critics, but Bowie's theme song rose to number two in the UK charts. He also appeared as Jareth, the Goblin King, in the 1986 Jim Henson film Labyrinth, for which he wrote five songs. His final solo album of the decade was 1987's Never Let Me Down, where he ditched the light sound of his previous two albums, instead offering harder rock with an industrial/techno dance edge. Peaking at number six in the UK, the album yielded the hits "Day-In, Day-Out" (his 60th single), "Time Will Crawl", and "Never Let Me Down". Bowie later described it as his "nadir", calling it "an awful album".[85] Supporting Never Let Me Down, and preceded by nine promotional press shows, the 86-concert Glass Spider Tour commenced on 30 May. Bowie's backing band included Peter Frampton on lead guitar. Critics maligned the tour as overproduced, saying it pandered to the current stadium rock trends in its special effects and dancing.[86]
1989–91: Tin Machine[link]
Bowie shelved his solo career in 1989, retreating to the relative anonymity of band membership for the first time since the early 1970s. A hard-rocking quartet, Tin Machine came into being after Bowie began to work experimentally with guitarist Reeves Gabrels. The line-up was completed by Tony and Hunt Sales, whom Bowie had known since the late 1970s for their contribution, on drums and bass respectively, to Iggy Pop's 1977 album Lust For Life.[87]
Though he intended Tin Machine to operate as a democracy, Bowie dominated, both in songwriting and in decision-making.[88] The band's album debut, Tin Machine (1989), was initially popular, though its politicised lyrics did not find universal approval: Bowie described one song as "a simplistic, naive, radical, laying-it-down about the emergence of neo-Nazis"; in the view of biographer Christopher Sandford, "It took nerve to denounce drugs, fascism and TV [...] in terms that reached the literary level of a comic book."[89] EMI complained of "lyrics that preach" as well as "repetitive tunes" and "minimalist or no production".[90] The album nevertheless reached number three in the UK.[89] Tin Machine's first world tour was a commercial success, but there was growing reluctance—among fans and critics alike—to accept Bowie's presentation as merely a band member.[91] A series of Tin Machine singles failed to chart, and Bowie, after a disagreement with EMI, left the label.[92] Like his audience and his critics, Bowie himself became increasingly disaffected with his role as just one member of a band.[93] Tin Machine began work on a second album, but Bowie put the venture on hold and made a return to solo work. Performing his early hits during the seven-month Sound+Vision Tour, he found commercial success and acclaim once again.[94]
In October 1990, a decade after his divorce from Angela, Bowie and Somali-born supermodel Iman were introduced by a mutual friend. Bowie recalled, "I was naming the children the night we met ... it was absolutely immediate." They would marry in 1992.[95] Tin Machine resumed work the same month, but their audience and critics, ultimately left disappointed by the first album, showed little interest in a second. Tin Machine II's arrival was marked by a widely publicised and ill-timed conflict over the cover art: after production had begun, the new record label, Victory, deemed the depiction of four ancient nude Kouroi statues, judged by Bowie to be "in exquisite taste", "a show of wrong, obscene images", requiring air-brushing and patching to render the figures sexless.[96] Tin Machine toured again, but after the live album Tin Machine Live: Oy Vey, Baby failed commercially, the band drifted apart, and Bowie, though he continued to collaborate with Gabrels, resumed his solo career.[97]
1992–99: electronica[link]
In April 1992 Bowie appeared at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert, following the Queen frontman's death the previous year. As well as performing "Heroes" and "All the Young Dudes", he was joined on "Under Pressure" by Annie Lennox, who took Mercury's vocal part.[98] Four days later, Bowie and Iman were married in Switzerland. Intending to move to Los Angeles, they flew in to search for a suitable property, but found themselves confined to their hotel, under curfew: the 1992 Los Angeles riots began the day they arrived. They settled in New York instead.[99]
1993 saw the release of Bowie's first solo offering since his Tin Machine departure, the soul, jazz and hip-hop influenced Black Tie White Noise. Making prominent use of electronic instruments, the album, which reunited Bowie with Let's Dance producer Nile Rodgers, confirmed Bowie's return to popularity, hitting the number one spot on the UK charts and spawning three top 40 hits, including the top 10 song "Jump They Say".[100] Bowie explored new directions on The Buddha of Suburbia (1993), a soundtrack album of incidental music composed for the TV series adaptation of Hanif Kureishi's novel. It contained some of the new elements introduced in Black Tie White Noise, and also signalled a move towards alternative rock. The album was a critical success but received a low-key release and only made number 87 in the UK charts.[101]
Reuniting Bowie with Eno, the quasi-industrial Outside (1995) was originally conceived as the first volume in a non-linear narrative of art and murder. Featuring characters from a short story written by Bowie, the album achieved US and UK chart success, and yielded three top 40 UK singles.[102] In a move that provoked mixed reaction from both fans and critics, Bowie chose Nine Inch Nails as his tour partner for the Outside Tour. Visiting cities in Europe and North America between September 1995 and February the following year, the tour saw the return of Gabrels as Bowie's guitarist.[103]
Bowie was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on 17 January 1996.[104] Incorporating experiments in British jungle and drum 'n' bass, Earthling (1997) was a critical and commercial success in the UK and the US, and two singles from the album became UK top 40 hits. Bowie's song "I'm Afraid of Americans" from the Paul Verhoeven film Showgirls was re-recorded for the album, and remixed by Trent Reznor for a single release. The heavy rotation of the accompanying video, also featuring Reznor, contributed to the song's 16-week stay in the US Billboard Hot 100. The Earthling Tour took in Europe and North America between June and November 1997.[105] Bowie reunited with Visconti in 1998 to record "(Safe in This) Sky Life" for The Rugrats Movie. Although the track was edited out of the final cut, it would later be re-recorded and released as "Safe" on the B-side of Bowie's 2002 single "Everyone Says 'Hi'".[106] The reunion led to other collaborations including a limited-edition single release version of Placebo's track "Without You I'm Nothing", co-produced by Visconti, with Bowie's harmonised vocal added to the original recording.[107]
1999–present: neoclassicist Bowie[link]
Bowie created the soundtrack for Omikron, a 1999 computer game in which he and Iman also appeared as characters. Released the same year and containing re-recorded tracks from Omikron, his album 'Hours...' featured a song with lyrics by the winner of his "Cyber Song Contest" Internet competition, Alex Grant.[108] Making extensive use of live instruments, the album was Bowie's exit from heavy electronica.[109] Sessions for the planned album Toy, intended to feature new versions of some of Bowie's earliest pieces as well as three new songs, commenced in 2000, but the album was never released. Bowie and Visconti continued their collaboration, producing a new album of completely original songs instead: the result of the sessions was the 2002 album Heathen.[110] Alexandria Zahra Jones, Bowie and Iman's daughter, was born on 15 August.[111]
In October 2001, Bowie opened The Concert for New York City, a charity event to benefit the victims of the September 11 attacks, with a minimalist performance of Simon & Garfunkel's "America", followed by a full band performance of "Heroes".[112] 2002 saw the release of Heathen, and, during the second half of the year, the Heathen Tour. Taking in Europe and North America, the tour opened at London's annual Meltdown festival, for which Bowie was that year appointed artistic director. Among the acts he selected for the festival were Philip Glass, Television and The Polyphonic Spree. As well as songs from the new album, the tour featured material from Bowie's Low era.[113] Reality (2003) followed, and its accompanying world tour, the A Reality Tour, with an estimated attendance of 722,000, grossed more than any other in 2004. Onstage in Oslo, Norway, on 18 June, Bowie was hit in the eye with a lollipop thrown by a fan; a week later he suffered chest pain while performing at the Hurricane Festival in Scheeßel, Germany. Originally thought to be a pinched nerve in his shoulder, the pain was later diagnosed as an acutely blocked artery, requiring an emergency angioplasty in Hamburg. The remaining 14 dates of the tour were cancelled.[114]
Since recuperating from the heart surgery, Bowie has reduced his musical output, making only one-off appearances on stage and in the studio. He sang in a duet of his 1972 song "Changes" with Butterfly Boucher for the 2004 animated film Shrek 2.[115] During a relatively quiet 2005, he recorded the vocals for the song "(She Can) Do That", co-written with Brian Transeau, for the film Stealth.[116] He returned to the stage on 8 September 2005, appearing with Arcade Fire for the US nationally televised event Fashion Rocks, and performed with the Canadian band for the second time a week later during the CMJ Music Marathon.[117] He contributed back-up vocals on TV on the Radio's song "Province" for their album Return to Cookie Mountain,[118] made a commercial with Snoop Dogg for XM Satellite Radio,[119] and joined with Lou Reed on Danish alt-rockers Kashmir's 2005 album No Balance Palace.[120]
Bowie was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award on 8 February 2006.[121] In April, he announced, "I’m taking a year off—no touring, no albums."[122] He made a surprise guest appearance at David Gilmour's 29 May concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London. The event was recorded, and a selection of songs on which he had contributed joint vocals were subsequently released.[123] He performed again in November, alongside Alicia Keys, at the Black Ball, a New York benefit event for Keep a Child Alive,[124] a performance that marks the last time Bowie performed his music on stage.[125]
Bowie was chosen to curate the 2007 High Line Festival, selecting musicians and artists for the Manhattan event,[126] and performed on Scarlett Johansson's 2008 album of Tom Waits covers, Anywhere I Lay My Head.[127] On the 40th anniversary of the July 1969 moon landing—and Bowie's accompanying commercial breakthrough with "Space Oddity"—EMI released the individual tracks from the original eight-track studio recording of the song, in a 2009 contest inviting members of the public to create a remix.[128] A Reality Tour, a double album of live material from the 2003 concert tour, was released in January 2010.[129]
In late March 2011, Toy, Bowie's previously unreleased album from 2001, was leaked onto the internet, containing material used for Heathen and most of its single B-sides, as well as unheard new versions of his early back catalogue.[130][131]
Acting career[link]
Main article: David Bowie filmography
Biographer David Buckley writes, "The essence of Bowie's contribution to popular music can be found in his outstanding ability to analyse and select ideas from outside the mainstream—from art, literature, theatre and film—and to bring them inside, so that the currency of pop is constantly being changed."[132] Buckley says, "Just one person took glam rock to new rarefied heights and invented character-playing in pop, marrying theatre and popular music in one seamless, powerful whole."[133] Bowie's career has also been punctuated by various roles in film and theatre productions, earning him some acclaim as an actor in his own right.
The beginnings of his acting career predate his commercial breakthrough as a musician. Studying avant-garde theatre and mime under Lindsay Kemp, he was given the role of Cloud in Kemp's 1967 theatrical production Pierrot in Turquoise (later made into the 1970 television film The Looking Glass Murders).[134] In the black-and-white short The Image (1969), he played a ghostly boy who emerges from a troubled artist's painting to haunt him.[135] The same year, the film of Leslie Thomas's 1966 comic novel The Virgin Soldiers saw Bowie make a brief appearance as an extra.[135] In 1976 he earned acclaim for his first major film role, portraying Thomas Jerome Newton, an alien from a dying planet, in The Man Who Fell to Earth, directed by Nic Roeg. Just a Gigolo (1979), an Anglo-German co-production directed by David Hemmings, saw Bowie in the lead role as Prussian officer Paul von Przygodski, who, returning from World War I, is discovered by a Baroness (Marlene Dietrich) and put into her Gigolo Stable.
Bowie took the title role in the Broadway theatre production The Elephant Man, earning high praise for an expressive performance. He played the part 157 times between 1980 and 1981.[81] Christiane F. – Wir Kinder vom Bahnhof Zoo, a 1981 biographical film focusing on a young girl's drug addiction in West Berlin, featured Bowie in a cameo appearance as himself at a concert in Germany. Its soundtrack album, Christiane F. (1981), featured much material from his Berlin Trilogy albums.[136] Bowie starred in The Hunger (1983), a revisionist vampire film, with Catherine Deneuve and Susan Sarandon. In Nagisa Oshima's film the same year, Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence, based on Laurens van der Post's novel The Seed and the Sower, Bowie played Major Jack Celliers, a prisoner of war in a Japanese internment camp. Bowie had a cameo in Yellowbeard, a 1983 pirate comedy created by Monty Python members, and a small part as Colin, the hitman in the 1985 film Into the Night. He declined to play the villain Max Zorin in the James Bond film A View to a Kill (1985).[137]
Absolute Beginners (1986), a rock musical based on Colin MacInnes's 1959 novel about London life, featured Bowie's music and presented him with a minor acting role. The same year, Jim Henson's dark fantasy Labyrinth found him with the part of Jareth, the king of the goblins.[138] Two years later he played Pontius Pilate in Martin Scorsese's 1988 film The Last Temptation of Christ. Bowie portrayed a disgruntled restaurant employee opposite Rosanna Arquette in The Linguini Incident (1991), and the mysterious FBI agent Phillip Jeffries in David Lynch's Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992). He took a small but pivotal role as Andy Warhol in Basquiat, artist/director Julian Schnabel's 1996 biopic of Jean-Michel Basquiat, and co-starred in Giovanni Veronesi's Spaghetti Western Il Mio West (1998, released as Gunslinger's Revenge in the US in 2005) as the most feared gunfighter in the region.[139] He played the ageing gangster Bernie in Andrew Goth's Everybody Loves Sunshine (1999), and appeared in the TV horror serial of The Hunger. In Mr. Rice's Secret (2000), he played the title role as the neighbour of a terminally ill twelve-year-old, and the following year appeared as himself in Zoolander.
Bowie portrayed physicist Nikola Tesla in the Christopher Nolan film, The Prestige (2006), which was about the bitter rivalry between two magicians in the late 19th century. He voice-acted in the animated film Arthur and the Invisibles as the powerful villain Maltazard, and lent his voice to the character Lord Royal Highness in the SpongeBob's Atlantis SquarePantis television film. In the 2008 film August, directed by Austin Chick, he played a supporting role as Ogilvie, alongside Josh Hartnett and Rip Torn, with whom he had worked in 1976 for The Man Who Fell to Earth.[140][141]
Sexual orientation[link]
Buckley writes, "If Ziggy confused both his creator and his audience, a big part of that confusion centred on the topic of sexuality."[142] Bowie declared himself bisexual in an interview with Michael Watts of Melody Maker in January 1972, a move coinciding with the first shots in his campaign for stardom as Ziggy Stardust.[42] In a September 1976 interview with Playboy, Bowie said: "It's true—I am a bisexual. But I can't deny that I've used that fact very well. I suppose it's the best thing that ever happened to me."[143]
In a 1983 interview with Rolling Stone, Bowie said his public declaration of bisexuality was "the biggest mistake I ever made" and "I was always a closet heterosexual".[144] On other occasions, he said his interest in homosexual and bisexual culture had been more a product of the times and the situation in which he found himself than his own feelings; as described by Buckley, he said he had been driven more by "a compulsion to flout moral codes than a real biological and psychological state of being".[145][146]
Asked in 2002 by Blender whether he still believed his public declaration was the biggest mistake he ever made, he replied:
Interesting. [Long pause] I don’t think it was a mistake in Europe, but it was a lot tougher in America. I had no problem with people knowing I was bisexual. But I had no inclination to hold any banners nor be a representative of any group of people. I knew what I wanted to be, which was a songwriter and a performer, and I felt that bisexuality became my headline over here for so long. America is a very puritanical place, and I think it stood in the way of so much I wanted to do.[147]
Buckley's view of the period is that Bowie, "a taboo-breaker and a dabbler ... mined sexual intrigue for its ability to shock",[148] and that "it is probably true that Bowie was never gay, nor even consistently actively bisexual ... he did, from time to time, experiment, even if only out of a sense of curiosity and a genuine allegiance with the 'transgressional'."[149] Biographer Christopher Sandford says that according to Mary Finnigan, with whom Bowie had an affair in 1969, the singer and his first wife Angie "lived in a fantasy world [...] and they created their bisexual fantasy."[150] Sandford tells how, during the marriage, Bowie "made a positive fetish of repeating the quip that he and his wife had met while 'fucking the same bloke' [...] Gay sex was always an anecdotal and laughing matter. That Bowie's actual tastes swung the other way is clear from even a partial tally of his affairs with women."[150]
Musicianship[link]
From the time of his earliest recordings in the 1960s, Bowie has employed a wide variety of musical styles. His early compositions and performances were strongly influenced by not only rock and rollers like Little Richard and Elvis Presley but also the wider world of show business. He particularly strove to emulate the British musical theatre singer-songwriter and actor Anthony Newley, whose vocal style he frequently adopted, and made prominent use of for his 1967 debut release, David Bowie (to the disgust of Newley himself, who destroyed the copy he received from Bowie's publisher).[19][151] Bowie's music hall fascination continued to surface sporadically alongside such diverse styles as hard rock and heavy metal, soul, psychedelic folk and pop.[152]
Musicologist James Perone observes Bowie's use of octave switches for different repetitions of the same melody, exemplified in his commercial breakthrough single, "Space Oddity", and later in the song "Heroes", to dramatic effect; Perone notes that "in the lowest part of his vocal register [...] his voice has an almost crooner-like richness."[153]
Voice instructor Jo Thompson describes Bowie's vocal vibrato technique as "particularly deliberate and distinctive".[154] Schinder and Schwartz call him "a vocalist of extraordinary technical ability, able to pitch his singing to particular effect."[155] Here, too, as in his stagecraft and songwriting, the singer's chamaeleon-like nature is evident: historiographer Michael Campbell says that Bowie's lyrics "arrest our ear, without question. But Bowie continually shifts from person to person as he delivers them [...] His voice changes dramatically from section to section."[156]
Bowie plays many instruments, among them electric, acoustic, and twelve-string guitar; alto, tenor and baritone saxophone; keyboards including piano, synthesizers and Mellotron; harmonica, Stylophone, xylophone, vibraphone, koto, drums and percussion, and string instruments including viola and cello.[157][158][159][160]
Legacy[link]
Bowie's innovative songs and stagecraft brought a new dimension to popular music in the early 1970s, strongly influencing both its immediate forms and its subsequent development. A pioneer of glam rock, Bowie, according to music historians Schinder and Schwartz, has joint responsibility with Marc Bolan for creating the genre.[161] At the same time, he inspired the innovators of the punk rock music movement—historian Michael Campbell calls him "one of punk's seminal influences". While punk musicians trashed the conventions of pop stardom, Bowie moved on again—into a more abstract style of music making that would in turn become a transforming influence. Biographer David Buckley writes, "At a time when punk rock was noisily reclaiming the three-minute pop song in a show of public defiance, Bowie almost completely abandoned traditional rock instrumentation."[162][163] Bowie's record company sought to convey his unique status in popular music with the slogan, "There is old wave, there is new wave, and there is Bowie..."[164] Musicologist James Perone credits him with having "brought sophistication to rock music", and critical reviews frequently acknowledge the intellectual depth of his work and influence.[161][165][166]
Buckley writes that, in an early 1970s pop world that was "Bloated, self-important, leather-clad, self-satisfied, ... Bowie challenged the core belief of the rock music of its day." As described by John Peel, "The one distinguishing feature about early-70s progressive rock was that it didn't progress. Before Bowie came along, people didn't want too much change." Buckley says that Bowie "subverted the whole notion of what it was to be a rock star", with the result that "After Bowie there has been no other pop icon of his stature, because the pop world that produces these rock gods doesn't exist any more. ... The fierce partisanship of the cult of Bowie was also unique—its influence lasted longer and has been more creative than perhaps almost any other force within pop fandom." Buckley concludes that "Bowie is both star and icon. The vast body of work he has produced ... has created perhaps the biggest cult in popular culture. ... His influence has been unique in popular culture—he has permeated and altered more lives than any comparable figure."[2]
Bowie was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996.[104] Through perpetual reinvention, he has seen his influence continue to broaden and extend: music reviewer Brad Filicky writes that over the decades, "Bowie has become known as a musical chameleon, changing and dictating trends as much as he has altered his style to fit, influencing fashion and pop culture."[167] Biographer Thomas Forget adds, "Because he has succeeded in so many different styles of music, it is almost impossible to find a popular artist today that has not been influenced by David Bowie."[168]
Personal life[link]
Bowie married Mary Angela Barnett (also known as Angie Bowie) on 19 March 1970 at Bromley Register Office in Beckenham Lane, Kent. They had a son together, Zowie Bowie (also known as Duncan Jones, film director), and divorced on 8 February 1980 in Switzerland.
The 1971 song "Kooks" on the album Hunky Dory was written for his newborn son.
In 1992 Bowie married Somali-American model Iman. They have one daughter, Alexandria Zahra Jones, born 15 August 2000.[169] The couple resides primarily in Manhattan and London.[170]
Regarding his compositions, in 2005 he said "Questioning my spiritual life has always been germane to what I was writing. Always." because he is "not quite an atheist and it bothers me."[171]
Awards and recognition[link]
Main article: List of awards and nominations received by David Bowie
Bowie's 1969 commercial breakthrough, the song "Space Oddity", won him an Ivor Novello Special Award For Originality.[172] For his performance in the 1976 science fiction film The Man Who Fell to Earth, he won a Saturn Award for Best Actor.[173] In the ensuing decades he has been honoured with numerous awards for his music and its accompanying videos, receiving, among others, two Grammy Awards[174][175] and two BRIT Awards.[176]
In 1999, Bowie was made a Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government.[177] He received an honorary doctorate from Berklee College of Music the same year.[178] He declined the royal honour of Commander of the British Empire in 2000, and turned down a knighthood in 2003,[179] stating: "I would never have any intention of accepting anything like that. I seriously don't know what it's for. It's not what I spent my life working for."[180]
Throughout his career he has sold an estimated 250 million albums.[181] In the United Kingdom, he has been awarded 9 Platinum, 11 Gold and 8 Silver albums, and in the United States, 5 Platinum and 7 Gold.[182][183] In the BBC's 2002 poll of the 100 Greatest Britons, he was ranked 29.[181] In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked him 39th on their list of the 100 Greatest Rock Artists of All Time[184] and the 23rd best singer of all time.[185] Bowie was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on 17 January 1996.[104]
Discography[link]
Main article: David Bowie discography
|
|
Filmography[link]
As Actor[link]
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | The Image | The Boy | short film |
| 1969 | The Virgin Soldiers | Soldier | (extra) |
| 1970 | Pierrot in Turquoise or The Looking Glass Murders | Cloud | television film |
| 1976 | The Man Who Fell to Earth | Thomas Jerome Newton | Saturn Award for Best Actor |
| 1978 | Just a Gigolo | Paul Ambrosius von Przygodski | |
| 1981 | Christiane F. (Wir Kinder vom Bahnhof Zoo) | Himself | cameo |
| 1982 | The Snowman | Narrator | re-released version |
| Baal | Baal | television film | |
| 1983 | Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence | Maj. Jack 'Strafer' Celliers | |
| The Hunger | John | ||
| Yellowbeard | The Shark | cameo (uncredited) | |
| 1985 | Into the Night | Colin Morris | cameo |
| 1986 | Labyrinth | Jareth the Goblin King | |
| Absolute Beginners | Vendice Partners | ||
| 1988 | The Last Temptation of Christ | Pontius Pilate | cameo |
| 1991 | The Linguini Incident | Monte | |
| 1991 | Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me | Phillip Jeffries | cameo |
| 1996 | Basquiat | Andy Warhol | |
| 1998 | Gunslinger's Revenge (Il mio West) | Jack Sikora | |
| 1999 | Everybody Loves Sunshine | Bernie | |
| 2000 | Mr. Rice's Secret | William Rice | |
| 2001 | Zoolander | Himself | cameo (nominated for MTV Movie Award) |
| 2006 | The Prestige | Nikola Tesla | |
| 2007 | Arthur and the Invisibles | Emperor Maltazard | voice: English version |
| 2008 | August | Cyrus Ogilvie | cameo |
| 2008 | Spongebob Squarepants | L.R.H | guest voice |
| 2009 | Bandslam | Himself | cameo |
As Musician[link]
- Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars: The Motion Picture (1983) (VHS, DVD in 2003)
- Love You Till Tuesday (1984) (VHS, DVD in 2005)
- Serious Moonlight (1984) (VHS, unofficial DVD in 1999, official DVD in 2006)
- Glass Spider (1988) (VHS, unofficial DVD as Glass Spider Tour in 2001, official DVD in 2007)
- Bowie – The Video Collection (1993) (VHS)
- Black Tie White Noise (1993) (VHS, DVD in 2005)
- Best of Bowie (2002) (DVD)
- A Reality Tour (2004) (DVD)
As Producer[link]
- Büvös vadász (1994) (... aka Magic Hunter)
- Passaggio per il paradiso (1998) (... aka Gentle Into the Night, ... aka Passage to Paradise)
- Scott Walker: 30 Century Man (2006)
Documentaries[link]
- Love You Till Tuesday (1969) (as the subject, short)
- Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1973) (as the subject, documentary/concert film)
- Cracked Actor (1974) (as the subject, BBC)
- Group Madness (1983)
- Cool Cats: Twenty-Five Years of Rock 'N' Roll Style (1983)
- Queen: The Magic Years (1987)
- Imagine: John Lennon (1988)
- Superstar: The Life and Times of Andy Warhol (1990)
- Travelling Light (1992)
- Inspirations (1997)
- Lou Reed: Rock and Roll Heart (1998)
- Mayor of the Sunset Strip (2003)
See also[link]
|
Book: David Bowie |
| Wikipedia books are collections of articles that can be downloaded or ordered in print. | |
- Best selling music artists
- Bowie Bonds
- Bowie (Flight of the Conchords)
- List of artists who reached number one on the Hot 100 (US)
- List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart
- List of David Bowie tours
- List of number-one hits (United States)
- List of Number 1 Dance Hits (United States)
- List of people who have declined a British honour
Notes[link]
- ^ "How to say: Bowie". bbc.co.uk. 8 January 2008. http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/magazinemonitor/2007/01/how_to_say_bowie.shtml. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
- ^ a b c d Buckley (2005): pp. 516–17, 524, 529
- ^ "From Morrissey to Tony Blair: How Irelands children are at the heart of English culture". The Independent. http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/from-morrissey-to-tony-blair-how-irelands-children-are-at-the-heart-of-english-culture-445584.html. Retrieved 6 July 2011.
- ^ Hume, John et al (2008). Britain & Ireland: Lives Entwined III. British Council. p. 127. ISBN 978-0-86355-612-8.
- ^ Sandford (1997): pp. 9–16
- ^ a b Sandford (1997): pp. 18–19
- ^ Buckley (2000): p. 21.
- ^ a b c Sandford (1997): pp. 19–20
- ^ Doggett, Peter (January 2007). "Teenage Wildlife". Mojo Classic (Mojo) (60 Years of Bowie): 8–9.
- ^ a b Sandford (1997): pp. 21–22
- ^ Sandford (1997): p. 25
- ^ Buckley (2005): p.19
- ^ Evans, Mike (2006). Rock 'n' Roll's Strangest Moments: Extraordinary Tales from Over Fifty Years. Anova Books. p. 57. ISBN 978-1-86105-923-9.
- ^ Heterochromia Central - What Is Central Heterochromia?
- ^ Sandford (1997): p. 28
- ^ a b Sandford (1997): pp. 29–30
- ^ Sandford (1997): pp. 35–39
- ^ Buckley (2000): p. 33
- ^ a b Sandford (1997): pp. 41–42
- ^ a b Buckley (2005): pp. 41–42
- ^ Buckley (2005): p. 46
- ^ Buckley (2005): pp. 49–52
- ^ a b Sandford (1997): pp. 49–50
- ^ a b Sandford (1997): p. 53
- ^ McKay, George (1996). Senseless Acts of Beauty: Cultures of Resistance. Verso. p. 188. ISBN 978-1-85984-908-8.
- ^ Sandford (1997): p. 60
- ^ Sandford (1997): pp. 54–60
- ^ a b c Sandford (1997): pp. 62–63
- ^ Buckley (2000): pp. 89–90
- ^ a b Sandford (1997): p. 67
- ^ a b c Sandford (1997): pp. 73–74
- ^ Pegg (2000): pp. 260–65
- ^ Buckley (2005): pp. 95–99
- ^ Sandford (1997): p. 80
- ^ Sandford (1997): pp. 85–86
- ^ a b Buckley (2005): pp. 135–36
- ^ Sandford (1997): pp. 93–95
- ^ Buckley (2000): p. 156
- ^ Pegg (2004): pp. 281–83
- ^ Sandford (1997): p. 108
- ^ Sandford (1997): pp. 106–7
- ^ a b Carr & Murray (1981): p. 7
- ^ Carr & Murray (1981): p. 116
- ^ Buckley (2005): p. 163
- ^ Sandford (1997): p. 115
- ^ Buckley (2005): p. 3
- ^ Buckley (2005): pp. 180–83
- ^ a b Buckley (2005): pp. 204–5
- ^ Sandford (1997): p. 128
- ^ Sandford (1997): p. 138
- ^ Carr & Murray (1981): pp. 68–74
- ^ Buckley, 2003, p.130.
- ^ a b Sandford (1997): p. 146
- ^ Roberts, David (ed.) (2001). Guinness World Records: British Hit Singles. Guinness World Records Ltd. p. 120. ISBN 0-85156-156-X.
- ^ a b Sandford (1997): pp. 135–36
- ^ Sandford (1997): pp. 137, 153
- ^ Buckley (2005): p. 238
- ^ Buckley (2005): p. 244
- ^ a b Sandford (1997): p. 158
- ^ Buckley (2000): pp. 289–91.
- ^ Paytress, Mark (January 2007). "The Controversial Homecoming". Mojo Classic (Mojo) (60 Years of Bowie): 64.
- ^ Carr & Murray (1981): p. 11.
- ^ Buckley (2005): p. 252
- ^ Sandford (1997): pp. 154–55
- ^ Sandford (1997): p. 149
- ^ Needs, Kris (January 2007). "The Passenger". Mojo Classic (Mojo) (60 Years of Bowie): 65.
- ^ Sandford (1997): pp. 166–68
- ^ Perone (2007): p. 175
- ^ Thomson (1993): p. xiii
- ^ Pegg (2000): pp. 90–92
- ^ Sandford (1997): pp. 181–82
- ^ Bronson, Fred (1990). The Billboard Book of Number 1 Hits. Billboard Books. p. 572. ISBN 0-8230-7677-6.
- ^ Buckley (2005): p. 293
- ^ Sandford (1997): p. 189
- ^ Carr & Murray (1981): pp. 102–7
- ^ Buckley (2005): p. 281
- ^ Sandford (1997): pp. 191–92
- ^ Sandford (1997): p. 197
- ^ Pegg (2000): p. 29
- ^ Carr & Murray (1981): pp. 108–14
- ^ a b Sandford (1997): pp. 205–7
- ^ Sandford (1997): pp. 208, 211–12
- ^ Buckley (2005): pp. 335–55
- ^ Buckley (2005): pp. 165–66
- ^ McNair, James (January 2007). "Tumble & Twirl". Mojo Classic (Mojo) (60 Years of Bowie): 101.
- ^ Fyfe, Andy (January 2007). "Too Dizzy". Mojo Classic (Mojo) (60 Years of Bowie): 88–91.
- ^ Buckley (2005): p. 387
- ^ Sandford (1997): p. 274
- ^ a b Sandford (1997): p. 275
- ^ Sandford (1997): p. 273
- ^ Buckley (2005): p. 394
- ^ Sandford (1997): pp. 278–79
- ^ Sandford (1997): p. 278
- ^ Sandford (1997): pp. 280–86
- ^ Sandford (1997): p. 289
- ^ Sandford (1997): p. 292
- ^ Sandford (1997): pp. 294–95
- ^ Sandford (1997): pp. 298–99
- ^ Buckley (2005): pp. 413–14
- ^ Sandford (1997): pp. 301–8
- ^ Buckley (2000): pp. 494–95, 623
- ^ Buckley (2000): pp. 623–24
- ^ Buckley (2000): pp. 512–13
- ^ a b c "David Bowie: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction". rockhall.com. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. http://rockhall.com/inductees/david-bowie. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
- ^ Buckley (2000): pp. 533–34
- ^ Thompson (2006): p. 203
- ^ Thompson (2006): pp. 203, 212
- ^ Buckley (2005): p. 466
- ^ Perone (2007): p. 125
- ^ Buckley (2005): pp. 488–89
- ^ Buckley (2005): p. 485
- ^ Buckley (2005): p. 491
- ^ Buckley (2005): pp. 493–95
- ^ Buckley (2005): pp. 504–5
- ^ Buckley (2004): p. 16
- ^ Perone (2007): p. 142
- ^ Thompson (2006): pp. 291–92
- ^ "Space Is the Place: Innovative Brooklyn rockers blast off to the future". Spin (Spin Media LLC): 1. June 2006.
- ^ Lamb, Charles W.; Hair, Joseph F.; McDaniel, Carl (2007). Marketing. South-Western College Pub. p. 472. ISBN 978-0-324-36208-4.
- ^ Stone, Andrew (2008). Denmark. Lonely Planet. p. 46. ISBN 978-1-74104-669-4.
- ^ Thompson (2006): p. 293
- ^ Yuan, Jada (1 May 2006). "David Bowie Takes Time Off, Sneaks Into Movies". New York Magazine. http://nymag.com/news/intelligencer/16865/. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
- ^ Gulla, Bob (2008). Guitar Gods: The 25 Players Who Made Rock History. Greenwood. p. 95. ISBN 978-0-313-35806-7.
- ^ Mitchell, Gail (November 2009). "The Elements of Style". Billboard (Billboard.com): 22.
- ^ Gilmore, Mikal (2 February 2012), "How Ziggy Stardust Fell to Earth", Rolling Stone magazine (1149): 36–43,68
- ^ Schinder & Schwartz (2007): p. 500
- ^ Marchese, David (May 2008). "The Inquisition: Scarlett Johansson". Spin (Spin Media LLC): 40.
- ^ "David Bowie to release "Space Oddity" multi-tracks to celebrate moon landing". NME News. 6 July 2009. http://www.nme.com/news/david-bowie/45872. Retrieved 2 September 2010.
- ^ Diver, Mike (5 February 2010). "David Bowie A Reality Tour Review". bbc.co.uk. http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/5gwx. Retrieved 2 September 2010.
- ^ Perpetua, Matthew (22 March 2011). "Unreleased David Bowie LP 'Toy' Leaks Online". Rolling Stone. http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/unreleased-david-bowie-lp-toy-leaks-online-20110322. Retrieved 25 March 2011.
- ^ Michaels, Sean (23 March 2011). "David Bowie's unreleased album Toy leaks online". The Guardian (UK). http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/mar/23/david-bowie-toy-album-leak. Retrieved 25 March 2011.
- ^ Buckley (2005): p. 526
- ^ Buckley (2005): p. 2
- ^ Sandford (1997): p. 43
- ^ a b Buckley (2005): p. 49
- ^ Sandford (1997); p. 208
- ^ Pegg (2004) p. 561.
- ^ Sandford (1997): pp. 252–53
- ^ Thompson (2006): p. 195
- ^ "August". imdb.com. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0470679. Retrieved 14 September 2010.
- ^ "The Man Who Fell to Earth". imdb.com. http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0074851/fullcredits. Retrieved 14 September 2010.
- ^ Buckley (2005): p. 140
- ^ "Interview: David Bowie". Playboy. September 1976. Archived from the original on 1 August 2010. http://web.archive.org/web/20100801045250/http://www.playboy.com/articles/david-bowie-interview/index.html?page=2. Retrieved 14 September 2010.
- ^ "David Bowie Calls Himself 'A Closet Heterosexual'". orlandosentinel.com (Orlando Sentinel). 30 May 1993. http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1993-05-30/news/9305300344_1_david-bowie-mick-jagger-ziggy. Retrieved 13 May 2012.
- ^ Buckley (2000): p. 401
- ^ Buckley (2005): p. 106
- ^ Collis, Clark (August 2002). "Dear Superstar: David Bowie". blender.com (Alpha Media Group Inc). http://www.blender.com/guide/articles.aspx?id=366. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
- ^ Buckley (2005): p. 141
- ^ Buckley (2005): p. 147
- ^ a b Sandford (1997): p. 48
- ^ Perone (2007): p. 4
- ^ Perone (2007): pp. 22, 36–37
- ^ Perone (2007) p. 12
- ^ Thompson, Jo (2004). Find Your Voice: A Self-Help Manual for Singers. Artemis Editions. p. 76. ISBN 978-0-634-07435-6.
- ^ Schinder & Schwartz (2007): p. 483
- ^ Campbell (2008): p. 254
- ^ Thompson (2006): p. 346
- ^ Hopkins, Jerry (1985). Bowie. MacMillan. p. 239. ISBN 978-0-02-553730-9.
- ^ Perone (2007): pp. 17–44, 152–60
- ^ Buckley (2004): p. 48
- ^ a b Schinder & Schwartz (2007): p. 482
- ^ Campbell (2008) p. 304
- ^ Buckley (2004): p. 45
- ^ Thomson (1993): p. 217
- ^ Perone (2007): p. 183
- ^ Paytress, Mark (2003). Bolan: The Rise and Fall of a 20th Century Superstar. Omnibus Press. p. 218. ISBN 978-0-7119-9293-1.
- ^ Filicky, Brad (10 June 2002). "Reviews; David Bowie: Heathen". CMJ New Music Report (CMJ) 71 (766): 13.
- ^ Forget, Thomas (2002). David Bowie (Rock & Roll Hall of Famers). Rosen Publishing Group. p. 7. ISBN 978-0-8239-3523-9.
- ^ FIRST LOOK: The News in Brief, August 15, 2000. Ca.eonline.com (2000-08-15). Retrieved on 2012-05-09.
- ^ Iman. Fashion Model Directory. Retrieved on 2012-05-09.
- ^ Anthony DeCurtis (5 May 2005). In Other Words: Artists Talk About Life And Work. Hal Leonard Corporation. pp. 262–263. ISBN 978-0-634-06655-9. http://books.google.com/books?id=8Rr53q4VxuoC&pg=PA262. Retrieved 14 May 2012.
- ^ "Ivor Novello Awards". buckmusicgroup.com. Bucks Music Group. http://www.bucksmusicgroup.com/about/Ivor_Novello_Awards.html. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
- ^ "Past Award Winners". saturnawards.org. The Academy of Science Fiction Fantasy & Horror Films. http://www.saturnawards.org/past.html. Retrieved 11 September 2010.
- ^ "Grammy Award Winners". Grammy.com. National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, Inc. http://www.grammy.com/GRAMMY_Awards/Winners/Results.aspx?title=&winner=David%20Bowie&year=0&genreID=0&hp=1. Retrieved 16 September 2010. [dead link]
- ^ "Lifetime Achievement Award: Past Recipients". Grammy.com. National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, Inc. Archived from the original on 26 August 2010. http://web.archive.org/web/20100826002047/http://www2.grammy.com/Recording%5FAcademy/Awards/Lifetime%5FAwards/. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
- ^ "David Bowie". brits.co.uk. Brit Awards Ltd. http://www.brits.co.uk/artist/david-bowie. Retrieved 11 September 2010.
- ^ Lichfield, John (8 May 2009). "The Big Question: How does the French honours system work, and why has Kylie been decorated?". The Independent. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/the-big-question-how-does-the-french-honours-system-work-and-why-has-kylie-been-decorated-822752.html. Retrieved 17 September 2010.
- ^ "ChChChChanges". berklee.edu. Berklee College of Music. http://www.berklee.edu/news/1999/grad99.html. Retrieved 17 September 2010.
- ^ Thompson, Jody (8 January 2007). "Sixty things about David Bowie". (No. 35): BBC News. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6230201.stm. Retrieved 17 September 2010.
- ^ Mohan, Dominic (12 September 2003). "Exclusive: Bowie refuses knighthood". The Sun. http://www.bowiewonderworld.com/press/00/030912thesun.htm. Retrieved 11 December 2010.
- ^ a b Todd, Ben (27 November 2009). "David Bowie asked to play at Glastonbury for third time to mark 40th anniversary". The Daily Mail. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1231539/David-Bowie-asked-play-Glastonbury-time-mark-40th-anniversary.html. Retrieved 11 September 2010.
- ^ "Gold and Platinum: Search Results". riaa.com. Recording Industry Association of America. http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&artist=David%20Bowie&sort=Artist&perPage=25. Retrieved 12 September 2010.
- ^ "Certified Awards Search". bpi.co.uk. British Phonographic Industry. http://www.bpi.co.uk/certifiedawards/search.aspx. Retrieved 12 September 2010.
- ^ "The 100 Greatest Artists of All Time". Rolling Stone. 15 April 2004. http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5939214/the_immortals_the_first_fifty. Retrieved 14 September 2010.
- ^ "The 100 Greatest Singers of All Time". Rolling Stone. http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/6027/32782/33036. Retrieved 14 September 2010.
References[link]
- Buckley, David (2000) [First published 1999]. Strange Fascination — David Bowie: The Definitive Story. London: Virgin. ISBN 0-7535-0457-X.
- Buckley, David (2004). David Bowie: The Complete Guide To His Music. Omnibus Press. ISBN 978-1-84449-423-1.
- Buckley, David (2005) [First published 1999]. Strange Fascination — David Bowie: The Definitive Story. London: Virgin. ISBN 978-0-7535-1002-5.
- Buckley, Peter (2003). The rough guide to rock. Rough Guides. ISBN 1-84353-105-4.
- Campbell, Michael (2008). Popular Music in America: And The Beat Goes On. Schirmer. ISBN 978-0-495-50530-3.
- Carr, Roy; Murray, Charles Shaar (1981). Bowie: An Illustrated Record. New York: Avon. ISBN 0-380-77966-8.
- Cole, Shaun (2000). 'Don we now our gay apparel': gay men's dress in the twentieth century. London: Berg. ISBN 1-85973-415-4.
- Ditmore, Melissa Hope (2006). Encyclopedia of prostitution and sex work, Volume 2. Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN 0-313-32970-2.
- Pegg, Nicholas (2004) [First published 2000]. The Complete David Bowie. London: Reynolds & Hearn. ISBN 1-903111-73-0.
- Perone, James E. (2007). The Words and Music of David Bowie. Praeger. ISBN 978-0-275-99245-3.
- Sandford, Christopher (1997) [First published 1996]. Bowie: Loving the Alien. Time Warner. ISBN 0-306-80854-4.
- Schinder, Scott; Schwartz, Andy (2007). Icons of Rock: An Encyclopedia of the Legends Who Changed Music Forever. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press. ISBN 978-0-313-33845-8.
- Thomson, Elizabeth (1993). The Bowie Companion. Macmillan. ISBN 0-283-06262-2.
- Thompson, Dave (2006). Hallo Spaceboy: The Rebirth of David Bowie. Ecw Press. ISBN 978-1-55022-733-8.
Further reading[link]
- Trynka Paul, Starman: David Bowie – The Definitive Biography, Little, Brown Book Group Limited, 2011
- Cann, David, Any Day Now: David Bowie the London Years 1947–1974, Kenneth Pitt in Books, 2011
- Jacke, Andreas, David Bowie – Station To Station, Psychosozial- Verlag, 2011
- Seabrook, Thomas Jerome, Bowie in Berlin: A New Career in a New Town, Jawbone Press, 2008.
- Spitz, Marc, Bowie: A Biography, Crown Publishers, 2009.
- Tremlett, George, David Bowie: Living on the Brink, Carroll and Graf, 1997.
- Waldrep, Shelton, "Phenomenology of Performance", The Aesthetics of Self-Invention: Oscar Wilde to David Bowie, University of Minnesota Press, 2004.
- Welch, Chris, David Bowie: We Could Be Heroes: The Stories Behind Every David Bowie Song, Da Capo Press, 1999.
- Wilcken, Hugo, 33⅓: David Bowie's Low, Continuum, 2005.
External links[link]
|
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: David Bowie |
 |
Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: David Bowie |
- Official website
- Official Myspace page
- Official YouTube channel
- Documentary Film - David Bowie: Sound and Vision
- Bowieart – paintings, printmakings, etc.
- Works by or about David Bowie in libraries (WorldCat catalog)
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| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| Name | Bowie, David |
| Alternative names | David Robert Jones |
| Short description | English singer, songwriter, musician |
| Date of birth | 8 January 1947 |
| Place of birth | London, England, UK |
| Date of death | |
| Place of death | |
http://wn.com/David_Bowie
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This page contains text from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Bowie
This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, which means that you can copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license.
| Joan Caulfield | |
|---|---|
 September 1941 McCall's Magazine cover image of Joan Caulfield |
|
| Born | Beatrice Joan Caulfield (1922-06-01)June 1, 1922 West Orange, New Jersey, USA |
| Died | June 18, 1991(1991-06-18) (aged 69) Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Years active | 1946-1987 |
| Spouse | Dr. Robert Peterson (1960-1966) (divorced) son Frank Ross (1950-1960) (divorced) son |
Joan Caulfield (June 1, 1922 - June 18, 1991) was an American actress and former fashion model. After being discovered by Broadway producers, she began a stage career in 1943 that eventually led to signing as an actress with Paramount Pictures.
Life and career[link]
Born while her family resided in East Orange, New Jersey, she moved to West Orange during childhood [1] but continued attending Miss Beard's School in Orange, New Jersey.[2] During her teenage years, the family moved to New York City where Joan eventually attended Columbia University.
One of her most memorable roles was when she was lent out to Warner Bros. to appear in The Unsuspected (1947) alongside Claude Rains and Audrey Totter. Later in life she appeared mostly on television, appearing on programs such as Cheyenne, Baretta, and Murder, She Wrote, with Angela Lansbury. In the 1957-1958 season, Caulfield starred in her own short-lived NBC situation comedy, Sally in the role of a traveling companion to an elderly widow, played by Marion Lorne. At midseason, Gale Gordon and Arte Johnson joined the cast.[3]
An urban legend states that Caulfield's film Dear Ruth (1947) inspired author J.D. Salinger to name the protagonist of his novel The Catcher in the Rye (1951) "Holden Caulfield" after seeing a movie theater marquee with the film's stars: Caulfield and William Holden. However, Holden Caulfield was mentioned in Salinger's short story "Last Day of the Last Furlough" in the July 15, 1944 issue of the Saturday Evening Post, three years before Dear Ruth [4]. The earliest known use of the Caulfield name, including a mention of Holden, is in the unpublished 1942 story "The Last and Best of the Peter Pans." [5] A more common version of the legend claims that Salinger was taken by Joan Caulfield upon first seeing her in a modeling photo or a publicity still or an acting performance.[6][7] Since Joan was a leading model by 1941 and her acting career began in 1942 with an appearance in the short-lived Broadway musical Beat the Band [8], this version of the legend makes his using her surname for his character at least possible.
In 1950, she married the film producer Frank Ross, with whom she had a son Caulfield Kevin Ross. She and Ross were divorced in 1960. She later married Robert Peterson, a dentist, with whom she had her second son John Caulfield Peterson. Her second marriage ended in divorce as well.
She died, aged 69, from cancer at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, and had lived in Beverly Hills, California.[1]
At the time of her death, she had one grandchild. She died within 24 hours of actress Jean Arthur, the first wife of her husband Frank Ross, Jr. Arthur had been married to Ross in 1932, and they divorced in 1949.
References[link]
- ^ a b Fowler, Glenn. "Joan Caulfield, A Film Actress, Is Dead at 69", The New York Times, June 20, 1991. Accessed October 23, 2007.
- ^ Joan Caulfield, Actress, Obituaries Today. Accessed October 23, 2007. "At Miss Beard’s, a local private school, Joan made her stage debut in A Kiss for Cinderella."
- ^ "Sally". Classic TV Archives. http://ctva.biz/US/Comedy/Sally.htm. Retrieved September 11, 2009.
- ^ Saturday Evening Post, July 15, 1944
- ^ http://www.deadcaulfields.com/PeterPans.html
- ^ Richler, Mordecai. "SUMMER READING; RISES AT DAWN, WRITES, THEN RETIRES", The New York Times, June 5, 1988. Accessed October 23, 2007. "We are told, for instance, that the name Holden Caulfield probably came from joining the name of a boyhood friend called Holden to that of the movie actress Joan Caulfield, on whom Mr. Salinger once had a crush."
- ^ Honan, William H. "Shylock To Sherlock A Study In Names", The New York Times, February 9, 1997. Accessed October 23, 2007. "J. D. Salinger's Holden Caulfield, he said, resulted from the writer's combining the last names of a friend named Holden and the actress Joan Caulfield."
- ^ http://ibdb.com/production.php?id=1229
External links[link]
- Joan Caulfield at the Internet Movie Database
- Joan Caulfield at the Internet Broadway Database
- Films of the Golden Age Biography
- Joan Caulfield at Find a Grave
- Photographs and literature on Joan Caulfield
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| Name | Caulfield, Joan |
| Alternative names | |
| Short description | |
| Date of birth | June 1, 1922 |
| Place of birth | West Orange, New Jersey, USA |
| Date of death | June 18, 1991 |
| Place of death | L.A., California |
http://wn.com/Joan_Caulfield
Related pages:
http://es.wn.com/Joan Caulfield
This page contains text from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_Caulfield
This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, which means that you can copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license.
| Irving Berlin | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Israel Isidore Baline (Beilin) |
| Born | (1888-05-11)May 11, 1888 Tyumen, Russian Empire |
| Died | September 22, 1989(1989-09-22) (aged 101) New York City, New York, United States |
| Genres | Broadway musicals, revues, show tunes |
| Occupations | Songwriter, composer, lyricist |
| Years active | 1907–1971 |
Irving Berlin (May 11, 1888 – September 22, 1989) was an American composer and lyricist of Jewish heritage, widely considered one of the greatest songwriters in American history. He published his first song, "Marie from Sunny Italy", in 1907 and had his first major international hit, "Alexander's Ragtime Band" in 1911.
"Alexander's Ragtime Band" sparked an international dance craze in places as far away as Berlin's native Russia, which also "flung itself into the ragtime beat with an abandon bordering on mania." Over the years he was known for writing music and lyrics in the American vernacular: uncomplicated, simple and direct, with his aim being to "reach the heart of the average American" whom he saw as the "real soul of the country."
He wrote hundreds of songs, many becoming major hits, which made him "a legend" before he turned thirty. During his 60-year career he wrote an estimated 1,500 songs, including the scores for 19 Broadway shows and 18 Hollywood films, with his songs nominated eight times for Academy Awards. Many songs became popular themes and anthems, including "Easter Parade", "White Christmas", "Happy Holiday", "This is the Army, Mr. Jones", and "There's No Business Like Show Business". His Broadway musical and 1942 film, This is the Army, with Ronald Reagan, had Kate Smith singing Berlin's "God Bless America" which was first performed in 1938. Smith still performed the song on her 1960 CBS television series, The Kate Smith Show. After the September 11 attacks in 2001, Celine Dion recorded it as a tribute, making it #1 on the charts.
Berlin's songs have reached the top of the charts 25 times and have been extensively re-recorded by numerous singers including Ethel Merman, Frank Sinatra, Ethel Waters, Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand, Linda Ronstadt, Rosemary Clooney, Cher, Diana Ross, Bing Crosby, Rita Reys, Frankie Laine, Johnnie Ray, Al Jolson, Nat King Cole, Billie Holiday, Doris Day and Ella Fitzgerald. Composer Douglas Moore sets Berlin apart from all other contemporary songwriters, and includes him instead with Stephen Foster, Walt Whitman, and Carl Sandburg, as a "great American minstrel"—someone who has "caught and immortalized in his songs what we say, what we think about, and what we believe."[1] Composer George Gershwin called him "the greatest songwriter that has ever lived",[2]:117 and composer Jerome Kern concluded that "Irving Berlin has no place in American music—he is American music."[3]
Contents |
Early life[link]
Belarussian immigrant[link]
Life in Belarus[link]
Irving Berlin was born Israel Isidore Baline on May 11, 1888, one of eight children of Moses and Lena Lipkin Baline. There are several possibilities concerning his birth city. It could be Tyumen (Tumen), any one of several villages near the city of Mogilyov, Belarus). His father, a cantor in a synagogue, uprooted the family to America, as did many other Jewish families in the late 19th century. In 1893 they settled in New York City. According to his biographer, Laurence Bergreen, as an adult Berlin admitted to no memories of his first five years in Russia except for one: "he was lying on a blanket by the side of a road, watching his house burn to the ground. By daylight the house was in ashes."[4]:10
Famous author and music historian Ian Whitcomb described Berlin's life in Belarus:
Life might have seemed irksome to Israel Baline: God was watching you everywhere. From the dawn bath to the night straw cot, everything was of religious significance. God was in the food and in the clothing. When Moses caught Israel pulling on his little shoes in a manner proscribed by the Talmud he beat him…
The floor of the Baline hut-home was of hard black dirt. Outside, the squiggly streets of Tyumen were either mud or dust according to the season. Lining the squiggles were horrid wooden huts. Sometimes wild pigs would rage into town and bite children to death…It was not a setting to sing about… Instead, cantor Moses took his children to the synagogue where, in soothing sing-song readings from the Talmud, the cares of the day were eased away. Life in Tyumen sounds pretty awful but, in later years, Irving Berlin said he was unaware of being raised in abject poverty. He knew no other life and there was always hot food on the table, even if it was God-riddled.[5]
Whitcomb also describes further the turning point in Berlin's early life:
But, suddenly one day, the Cossacks rampaged in on a pogrom... they simply burned it to the ground. Israel and his family watched from a distant road. Israel was wrapped in a warm feather quilt. Then they made a hasty exit. Knowing that they were breaking the law by leaving without a passport (Russia at that time was the only country requiring passports), the Balines smuggled themselves creepingly from town to town, from satellite to satellite, from sea to shining sea, until finally they reached their star: the Statue of Liberty.[5]:19
Nicholas II, the new Tsar of Russia, notes Whitcomb, had revived with utmost brutality the anti-Jewish pogroms, which created the spontaneous mass exodus to America. The pogroms were to continue until 1906, and thousands of other families besides the Balines would also escape, including those of George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin, Al Jolson, Sophie Tucker, L. Wolfe Gilbert ("Waiting for the Robert E. Lee"), Jack Yellen ("Happy Days Are Here Again"), Louis B. Mayer (MGM) and the Warner brothers.[5]:14
Settling in New York City[link]
They eventually settled on Cherry Street, a "cold-water basement flat with no windows,"[5] on the Lower East Side. His father, unable to find comparable work as a cantor in New York, took a job at a kosher meat market and gave Hebrew lessons on the side, and struggled to support his family. He died a few years later when Irving was thirteen years old. With only a few years of schooling, Irving found it necessary to take to the streets to help support his family.[1] He became a newspaper boy, hawking The Evening Journal. On his first day of the job, according to Berlin’s biographer and friend, Alexander Woollcott, the boy “stopped to look at a ship about to put out for China. So entranced was he that he failed to notice a swinging crane, and he was knocked into the river. When he was fished out, after going down for the third time, he was still holding in his clenched fist the five pennies that constituted his first day's receipts, his contribution to the family budget.”[1][6] His mother took jobs as a midwife, and three of his sisters worked wrapping cigars, common for immigrant girls. His older brother worked in a sweatshop assembling shirts. Each evening, when the family came home from their day's work, Bergreen writes, "they would deposit the coins they had earned that day into Lena's outspread apron."[4] :11
Music historian, Philip Furia, writes that when eight-year-old "Izzy" quit school to sell newspapers in the Bowery, he no doubt would "hear the hits of the day drift through the doors of saloons and restaurants" that lined the streets of New York. He found that if he sang some of the songs while selling papers, people would toss him coins in appreciation, which gave him a vision of things to come. One night to his mother, he "confessed his life's ambition—to become a singing waiter in a saloon."[7]:48
Before turning fourteen, according to Woollcott, he began to realize that "he contributed less than the least of his sisters... and he was sick with a sense of his own worthlessness."[6] Bergreen writes that it was at this point that he left home to become a "foot soldier in the city's ragged army of immigrants." Berlin entered a lifestyle along the Bowery where an entire subindustry of lodging houses had sprung up to shelter the thousands of homeless boys choking the Lower East Side streets. "They were not settlement houses or charitable institutions; rather, they were Dickensian in their meanness, filth, and insensitivity to ordinary human beings."[4]:15
Early jobs[link]
With few survival skills and little education, he realized that formal employment was out of the question. His only ability was acquired from his father's vocation: singing. He joined with a few other youngsters and went to saloons on the Bowery to sing to customers. These itinerant young singers were common on the Lower East Side. He would sing a few of the popular ballads he heard on the street, hoping that customers would "pitch a few pennies in his direction." As Bergreen notes, "it was in these seamy surroundings that the runaway boy received his real and lasting education." Music became his sole source of income and he emerged culturally from the ghetto lifestyle, learning the "language of the street."
To survive he began to recognize the kind of songs that appealed to audiences: "well-known tunes expressing simple sentiments were the most reliable."[4]:17 He began plugging songs at Tony Pastor's Music Hall in Union Square and finally, in 1906 when he was 18, working as a singing waiter at the Pelham Cafe in Chinatown. Besides serving drinks, he sang made-up "blue" parodies of hit songs to the delight of customers. Berlin biographer Charles Hamm writes that "in his free time he taught himself to play the piano."[8] When the bar closed for the night, young Berlin would sit at a piano in the back and pick out tunes.[1] His first attempt at songwriting was "Marie From Sunny Italy," written in collaboration with the Pelham's resident pianist, Mike Nicholson. The sheet music to this song made history because of a printer's error in the score. The name printed on the cover read: 'I. Berlin.' [9] (Berlin never learned to play in more than one key and used a custom-made 1940 Weser Brothers piano with a transposing lever to change keys.)[10]
Berlin admired the words to the songs but the rhythms were "kind of boggy". One night he delivered some hits by friend George M. Cohan, another kid who was getting known on Broadway with his own songs. When Berlin ended with Cohan's "Yankee Doodle Boy," notes Whichtomb, "everybody in the joint applauded the feisty little fellow. Some tarts said they felt proud to be American; a couple of thugs, who specialized in chewing off ears and breaking legs, gave Izzy the nod. And Connors, the saloon's Irish owner, said, 'You know what you are, me boy? You're the Yiddishe Yankee Doodle!'"[5]:26
Nobel prize-winning author Rudyard Kipling, living up the coast during that period, "was shocked and intrigued by the screeching squalor he found in the dirty gray tenement canyons of immigrant New York," writes Whitcomb. "He thought it worse than the notorious slums of Bombay. But he was impressed and moved by the Jews, noting the little immigrant boys saluting the Stars and Stripes." Kipling wrote, "For these immigrant Jews are a race that survives and thrives against all odds and flags."[5]:20
Recognition as songwriter[link]
Max Winslow (c.1883-1942),[11] a staff member at music publisher Harry Von Tilzer Company, noticed Berlin's singing on many occasions and became so taken with his talent that he tried to get him a job with his firm. Von Tilzer described an episode in his autobiography:
Max Winslow came to me and said, "I have discovered a great kid, I would like to see you write some songs with." Max raved about him so much that I said, "Who is he?" He said a boy down on the east side by the name of Irving Berlin... I said, "Max, How can I write with him, you know I have got the best lyric writers in the country?" But Max would not stop boosting Berlin to me, and I want to say right here that Berlin can attribute a great deal of his success to Max Winslow."[8]:viii
In 1908, at the age of 20, Berlin took a new job at a saloon in the Union Square neighborhood. There, he was able to collaborate with other young songwriters, such as Edgar Leslie, Ted Snyder, Al Piantadosi, and George A. Whiting, and in 1909, the year of the premiere of Israel Zangwill's The Melting Pot, he got his big break as a staff lyricist with the Ted Snyder Company.
Songwriting career[link]
Before 1920[link]
"Alexander's Ragtime Band" (1911)[link]
From this early position, Hamm writes, his "meteoric rise as a songwriter" in Tin Pan Alley and then on Broadway, began with his first world-famous hit song, "Alexander's Ragtime Band," in 1911. As a result of his instant celebrity, he was the feature performer later that year at Oscar Hammerstein's vaudeville house, where he introduced dozens of other songs to the audience. The New York Telegraph wrote a story about the event, reporting that a "delegation of two hundred of his friends from the pent and huddled East Side appeared... to see 'their boy.'" The news story added that "all the little writer could do was to finger the buttons on his coat while tears ran down his cheeks--in a vaudeville house!"[8]:ix
Richard Corliss, wrote about the song in a Time magazine profile of Berlin in 2001:
- "Alexander's Ragtime Band" (1911). It was a march, not a rag, and its savviest musicality comprised quotes from a bugle call and "Swanee River". But the tune, which revived the ragtime fervor that Scott Joplin had stoked a decade earlier, made Berlin a songwriting star. On its first release and subsequent releases, the song was consistently near the top of the charts: Bessie Smith, in 1927, and Louis Armstrong, in 1937; # 1 by Bing Crosby and Connee Boswell; Al Jolson, in 1947. Johnny Mercer in 1945, and Nellie Lutcher in 1948. Add Ray Charles's big-band version in 1959, and "Alexander" had a dozen hit versions in a bit under a half century.[12]
Despite its success, the song was not initially recognized as a hit: at a private audition of the song to Broadway producer Jesse Lasky, Lasky’s response was uncertain, although he did put it in his “Follies” show. After a number of performances as an instrumental, the song did not impress audiences, and was soon dropped from the show’s score, causing Berlin to regard it as a “dead failure.” But later that year, after writing lyrics to the music, it played again in another Broadway Review, and Variety news weekly proclaimed the song "the musical sensation of the decade."[4]:68 Composer George Gershwin, foreseeing its influence, said, "The first real American musical work is 'Alexander's Ragtime Band.' Berlin had shown us the way; it was now easier to attain our ideal."[2]:117
Sparking a national dance craze[link]
Berlin was "flabbergasted" by the sudden international popularity of the song, and began to ask himself "Why? Why?" Berlin later wrote,
And I got an answer. The melody... started the heels and shoulders of all America and a good section of Europe to rocking. The lyric, silly though it was, was fundamentally right.[4]:69
- "Watch Your Step"
Furia writes that the international success of "Alexander's Ragtime Band" gave ragtime "new life and sparked a national dance craze." Two dancers who expressed that craze were Irene and Vernon Castle. In 1914, Berlin wrote a ragtime revue, "Watch Your Step," which starred the couple and showcased their talents on stage. That musical revue became Berlin's first complete score and Furia notes that "its songs radiated musical and lyrical sophistication." Berlin's ragtime songs, he adds, had "quickly come to signify modernism, and Berlin caught the cultural struggle between Victorian gentility and the purveyors of liberation, indulgence, and leisure with songs such as "Play a Simple Melody." That particular song, according to Furia, also became the first of his famous "double" songs in which two different melodies and lyrics are counterpointed against one another.[7]
Variety called it "The First Syncopated Musical," where the "sets and the girls were gorgeous." But most of the success or otherwise of the show was riding on the Berlin name, according to Whitcomb. He notes that Variety... marked the show as a "terrific hit" from opening night alone:
Irving Berlin stands out like the Times building does in the Square. That youthful marvel of syncopated melody is proving things in 'Watch Your Step', firstly that he is not alone a rag composer, and that he is one of the greatest lyric writers America has ever produced.... Besides rags Berlin wrote a polka that was very pretty, and he intermingled ballads with trots, which, including the grand opera medley, gives Watch Your Step all the kind of music there is.[5]:173
Whitcomb also points out the irony that Russia, the country Berlin's family was forced to leave, flung itself into "the ragtime beat with an abandon bordering on mania":
... like a display of medieval religious frenzy; some seemed to be doing a dance of death. Lady Diana Manners, at a London ball reviving the Age of Chivalry, was escorted by Prince Felix Yusupov. This young man, a recent Oxford undergraduate, had an impeccable Russian noble lineage: a descendant of Frederick of Prussia, he was heir to the largest estate in Russia, he would be richer than the Tsar. He was exquisite and heavily bejewelled, but Lady Diana was irritated by his 'wriggling around the ballroom like a demented worm, screaming for 'more ragtime and more champagne'.[5]:183
Lady Diana Manners was apparently not alone in her dislike of ragtime. A newspaper clipping found in Berlin's scrapbook included an article titled, "Calls Ragtime Insanity Sign":
"Alexander's Ragtime Band" is a public menace.... The authority for these statements is Dr. Ludwig Gruener of Berlin, a German [doctor] who has devoted twenty years' study to the criminally insane.... He says, 'Hysteria is the form of insanity that an abnormal love for ragtime seems to produce. It is as much a mental disease as acute mania—it has the same symptoms. When there is nothing done to check this form it produces idiocy'. He also stated that 90 percent of the inmates of the American asylums he has visited are abnormally fond of ragtime.[13]:23
Simple and romantic ballads[link]
In future years he made every effort to write lyrics in the American vernacular: uncomplicated, simple and direct, once stating:
My ambition is to reach the heart of the average American, not the highbrow nor the lowbrow but that vast intermediate crew which is the real soul of the country. The highbrow is likely to be superficial, overtrained, supersensitive. The lowbrow is warped, subnormal. My public is the real people.[1]
Berlin also created songs out of his own sadness. In 1912, he married Dorothy Goetz, the sister of songwriter E. Ray Goetz. She died six months later of typhoid fever contracted during their honeymoon in Havana. The song he wrote to express his grief, "When I Lost You," was his first ballad. It was an immediate popular hit and sold more than a million copies.[1] In 1916, he collaborated with Victor Herbert on the score of "The Century Girl."
He began to realize that the slang of ragtime would be an "inappropriate idiom for serious romantic expression," and over the next few years would begin to adapt his style by writing more love songs.[7] In 1915 he wrote the hit, "I Love a Piano," which was an erotic, but comical, ragtime love song (Read lyrics).
By 1918 he had written hundreds of songs, mostly topical, which enjoyed brief popularity. Many of the songs were for the new dances then appearing, such as the "grizzly bear," "chicken walk," or fox trot. After a Hawaiian dance craze began, he wrote "That Hula-Hula," and then did a string of southern songs, such as "When the Midnight Choo-Choo Leaves for Alabam." During this period he was creating a few new songs every week, including numerous rags and songs aimed at the various immigrant cultures arriving from Europe. Furia tells of a train trip Berlin was on where he decided to entertain the fellow passengers. Later on they asked him how he knew so many hit songs, and Berlin would modestly reply, "I wrote them."[7]:53
One of the key songs that Berlin wrote in his transition from ragtime to lyrical ballads was "A Pretty Girl is Like a Melody," which was considered one of Berlin's "first big guns," according to historian Alec Wilder. The song was written for Ziegfeld's Follies of 1919 and became the musical's leading song. Its popularity was so great that it became the theme for all of Ziegfeld's revues, and later the theme song in the 1936 film The Great Ziegfeld (Watch). Wilder puts it "on a level with Jerome Kern's "pure melodies," and in comparison with Berlin's earlier music, finds it "extraordinary that such a development in style and sophistication should have taken place in a single year."[7]:53
World War I[link]
On 1 April 1917 President Woodrow Wilson declared that America would enter World War I, and, as Whitcomb writes:
The beleaguered Allies would be rescued from the evil Central Powers by a noble American game-plan and a barrel of morals.... The whistle was blown, the game was on. There must be no shirkers or doubters in the team. Americans must pull together as one man or else. Said President Wilson: 'Woe to the man or group of men that seeks to stand in our way in this day of high resolution!' Irish-Americans, Italian-Americans, Jewish-Americans, and, especially, German-Americans, must now be plain, straight-ahead Americans. Tin Pan Alley would do its duty and support the slogan at the time that "Music is essential to win the war." Berlin joined the effort and wrote, "For Your Country and My Country," adding "we must speak with the sword not the pen to show our appreciation to America for opening up her heart and welcoming every immigrant group." He then joined with George Meyer and his old colleague Edgar Leslie in a song that demanded an end to ethnicity: "Let's All Be Americans Now."[5]:197
- "Yip Yip Yaphank"
In 1917 Berlin was drafted into the army, and the news of his induction became headline news: "Army Takes Berlin!" one paper read. However, the army only wanted Berlin, now aged 30, to do what he knew best: to write songs of patriotism. Hence, while stationed at Camp Upton in New York, he composed an all-soldier musical revue titled "Yip Yip Yaphank", written to be patriotic tribute to the United States Army. By the following summer the show was taken to Broadway where it also included a number of hits, including "Mandy" and "Oh! How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning," which he performed himself.[1] The shows earned $150,000 for a camp service center. One song he wrote for the show but decided not use, he would introduce twenty years later: "God Bless America."[12][14]
According to Whitcomb, "at the grand finale, General Bell made a thank-you speech from his box, while Sergeant Berlin, on stage, declined to utter a word. Then, under orders from the War Department, Sergeant Berlin led the entire 300-person cast off the stage, marching them down the theater's aisles, singing 'We're on Our Way to France,' all to tumultuous applause. The cast carried off their little producer like he was victor ludorum." Berlin's mother, having seen her son perform for the first (and last) time in her life, was shocked. The soldier-actors continued out into the downtown street and up the plank to the waiting troop carrier. "Tin Pan Alley had joined hands with real life," writes Whitcomb.[5]:199Watch
1920 to 1940[link]
Berlin returned to Tin Pan Alley after the war and in 1921 created a partnership with Sam Harris to build the Music Box Theater. He maintained an interest in the theater throughout his life, and even in his last years was known to call the Shubert Organization, his partner, to check on the receipts. In its early years, the theater was a showcase for revues by Berlin. As theater owner, producer and composer, he looked after every detail of his shows, from the costumes and sets to the casting and musical arrangements.[15]
According to Berlin biographer David Leopold, the theater, located at 239 West 45th St., was the only Broadway house built to accommodate the works of a songwriter. It was the home of Berlin's "Music Box Revue" from 1921 to 1925 and "As Thousands Cheer" in 1933 and today includes an exhibition devoted to Berlin in the lobby.[16]
Various hit songs[link]
By 1926, Berlin had written the scores to two editions of the Ziegfeld Follies and four "Music Box Revues." Life magazine called him the "Lullaby Kid," noting that "couples at country-club dances grew misty-eyed when the band went into "Always," because they were positive that Berlin had written it just for them. When they quarreled and parted in the crepuscular bitter-sweetness of the 1920s, it was Berlin who gave eloquence to their heartbreak by way of "What'll I Do" and "Remember" and "All Alone."[17]
- "What'll I Do?" (1924)
This ballad of love and longing was a #1 hit for Paul Whiteman and had five other top-12 renditions in 1924. Twenty-four years later, the song went to #22 for Nat Cole and #23 for Frank Sinatra.[12]
- "Always" (1925)
Written when he fell in love with Ellin Mackay, who later became his wife. The song became #1 twice (for Vincent Lopez and George Olsen) in its first incarnation. There were four more hit versions in 1944–45. In 1959 Sammy Turner took the song to #2 on the R&B chart. It became Patsy Cline's postmortem anthem and hit #18 on the country chart in 1980, 17 years after her death, and a tribute musical called "Patsy Cline ... Always," played a two-year Nashville run that ended in 1995.[12]
- "Blue Skies" (1926)
Written after his first daughter's birth as a song just for her. In it he distilled his feelings about being married and a father for the first time: "Blue days, all of them gone; nothing but blue skies, from now on."[18] #1 for Ben Selvin with five other hits in 1927 besides being the first song performed by Al Jolson in the first feature sound film, "The Jazz Singer," that same year. In 1946 it returned to the top 10 on the charts with Count Basie and Benny Goodman. In 1978, Willie Nelson made the song a #1 country hit—52 years after it was written.[12]
- "Marie" (1929)
This waltz-time hit went to #2 with Rudy Vallee and in 1937 reached #1 with Tommy Dorsey. It was again on the charts at #13 in 1953 for The Four Tunes and at #15 for the Bachelors in 1965–36 years after its first appearance.[12]
- "Puttin' on the Ritz" (1930)
An instant standard with one of Berlin's most "intricately syncopated choruses," this song is associated with Fred Astaire, who danced to it in the 1946 film "Blue Skies." It was first sung by Harry Richman in 1930 and became a #1 hit, and in 1939 Clark Gable sang it in the movie "Idiot's Delight." It was also featured in the movie Young Frankenstein by Mel Brooks and a #4 hit for the techno artist Taco in 1983 (Berlin thus became the oldest songwriter to have a current top Ten hit).
- "Say It Isn't So" (1932)
Rudy Vallee performed it on his radio show, and the song was a #1 hit for George Olsen and awarded top-10 positions with versions by Connee Boswell and Ozzie Nelson's band. In 1963 Aretha Franklin produced a single of the song in 1963–31 years later.[12] Furia notes that when Rudy Vallee first introduced the song on his radio show, the "song not only became an overnight hit, it saved Vallee's marriage: The Vallees had planned to get a divorce, but after Vallee sang Berlin's romantic lyrics on the air, "both he and his wife dissolved in tears" and decided to stay together.[7]
- "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm" (1937)
Performed by Dick Powell in the 1937 film "On the Avenue." Later it had four top-12 versions, including by Billie Holiday and Les Brown, who took it to #1.[12]
"God Bless America" (1938)[link]
Written by Berlin twenty years earlier, he filed it away until 1938, when Kate Smith's manager asked Berlin if he had a patriotic song Smith might sing to mark the 20th anniversary of Armistice Day. It was "a simple plea for divine protection in a dark time—a plangent anthem in just 40 words," writes Corliss. It quickly became the second National Anthem after America entered World War II and over the decades has earned millions for the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, to whom Berlin assigned all royalties.[12][14] The phrase "God Bless America" was taken from Berlin's mother:
While he was growing up on the Lower East Side, she would say "God bless America" often, to indicate that, without America, her family would have had no place to go.[19] The Economist magazine wrote that by writing "God Bless America", Berlin was "producing a deep-felt paean to the country that had given him what he would have said was everything. It is a melody that still makes his fellow countrymen want to stand up and place their hands over their hearts." [20]
On the afternoon of September 11, 2001, U.S. senators and congressmen stood on the capitol steps and sang it after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. Two nights later, when Broadway turned its lights back on, the casts of numerous shows led theatergoers in renditions of the same song.
Richard Corliss notes that the next day, at an official requiem at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., it was played by the U.S. Army Orchestra. The following Monday, to mark the reopening of the New York Stock Exchange, New York Governor George Pataki and Mayor Rudolph Giuliani joined traders in singing it. That evening, as major league baseball games resumed around the country it replaced "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" as the theme song of the seventh-inning stretch. Over the following weeks, everyone—Celine Dion, Marc Anthony, New York City Police Department officer Daniel Rodriguez, the whole country—sang "God Bless America".[12]
Describing the mood at the time and the significance of the song, Corliss wrote in Time magazine that December:
In times of crisis, the nation loses its short-term cultural memory—puts aside idiot movie comics, suicidal rock lyrics, must-see reality TV and the pursuit of the moral triviality that is Gary Condit—and, like a senior citizen finding solace in the distant past, rekindles that old feeling. In pop culture, at least for a while, many Americans traded in cool pop culture for warm, sarcasm for sentiment, alienation for community. In the blink of a national tragedy, we went from jaded to nice, just like that.[12]
The popularity of the song, when it was first introduced in 1938, was also related to its release near the end of the Depression, which had gone on for nine years. As a result, one writer concludes that the song's introduction at that time "enshrines a strain of official patriotism intertwined with a religious faith that runs deep in the American psyche. Patriotic razzle-dazzle, sophisticated melancholy and humble sentiments: Berlin songs span the emotional terrain of America with a thoroughness that others may have equaled but none have surpassed."[3]
The song has also been adopted by various sports teams over the years. The Philadelphia Flyers hockey team started playing it before crucial contests and won some 80% of those games—including all three when Kate Smith arrived to sing it in person. "Many credited Smith for lifting the crowd and the team to new heights," notes columnist John Bacon. When the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team pulled off the "greatest upset in sports history," referred to as the "Miracle on Ice", the players spontaneously broke into a chorus—not of "The Star Spangled Banner," but "God Bless America,"[21] with ESPN TV noting, "Americans were overcome by patriotism."[22]
Other songs[link]
Though most of his works for the Broadway stage took the form of revues—collections of songs with no unifying plot—he did write a number of book shows. The Cocoanuts (1929) was a light comedy with a cast featuring, among others, the Marx Brothers. Face the Music (1932) was a political satire with a book by Moss Hart, and Louisiana Purchase (1940) was a satire of a Southern politician obviously based on the exploits of Huey Long. As Thousands Cheer (1933) was a revue, also with book by Moss Hart, with a theme: each number was presented as an item in a newspaper, some of them touching on issues of the day. The show yielded a succession of hit songs, including "Easter Parade" sung by Marilyn Miller and William Gaxton, "Heat Wave" (presented as the weather forecast), "Harlem on My Mind", and "Supper Time", a song about racial bigotry that was sung by Ethel Waters.
1941 to 1962[link]
World War II patriotism—"This is the Army" (1943)[link]
When the U.S. joined World War II after the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, Berlin immediately began composing a number of patriotic songs. Treasury Secretary Henry Morgenthau requested a song to inspire Americans to buy war bonds, for which he wrote "Any Bonds Today?" He assigned all royalties to the United States Treasury Department. He then wrote songs for various government agencies and likewise assigned all profits to them: "Angels of Mercy" for the American Red Cross; "Arms for the Love of America," for the Army Ordnance Department; and "I Paid My Income Tax Today,"[23] again to Treasury.[12]
But his most notable and valuable contribution to the war effort was a stage show he wrote called "This is the Army". It was taken to Broadway and then on to Washington, D.C. (where President Franklin D. Roosevelt attended). It was eventually shown at military bases throughout the world, including London, North Africa, Italy, Middle East, and Pacific countries, sometimes in close proximity to battle zones. Berlin wrote nearly three dozen songs for the show which contained a cast of 300 men. He supervised the production and traveled with it, always singing "Oh! How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning". The show kept him away from his family for three and a half years, during which time he took neither salary nor expenses, and turned over all profits to the Army Emergency Relief Fund.[24]:81 The play was adapted into a movie of the same name in 1943, directed by Michael Curtiz, costarring Joan Leslie and Ronald Reagan, who was then an army lieutenant. Kate Smith also sang "God Bless America" in the film with a backdrop showing families anxious over the coming war. The show became a hit movie and a morale-boosting road show that toured the battlefronts of Europe.[25] The shows and movie combined raised more than $10 million for the Army,[12] and in recognition of his contributions to troop morale, Berlin was awarded the Medal of Merit by President Harry S. Truman. His daughter, Mary Ellin Barrett, who was 15 when she was at the opening-night performance of "This is the Army" on Broadway, remembered that when her father, who normally shunned the spotlight, appeared in the second act in soldier's garb to sing "Oh, How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning," he was greeted with a standing ovation that lasted 10 minutes. She adds that he was in his mid-50's at the time, and later declared those years with the show were the "most thrilling time of his life."[25]
"Annie Get Your Gun" (1946)[link]
The grueling tours Berlin did performing "This Is The Army" left him exhausted. But his old and close friend Jerome Kern, who was the composer for "Annie Get Your Gun," suddenly died of a cerebral hemorrhage. Producers Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II persuaded Berlin to take over composing the score.
Loosely based on the life of sharpshooter Annie Oakley, the music and lyrics were written by Berlin, with a book by Herbert Fields and his sister Dorothy Fields. At first he refused to take on the job, claiming that he knew nothing about "hillbilly music", but the show ran for 1,147 performances and became his most successful score. It is said that the showstopper song, "There's No Business Like Show Business", was almost left out of the show altogether because Berlin mistakenly thought that Rodgers and Hammerstein didn't like it. However, it became the "ultimate uptempo show tune." One reviewer stating that "Its tough wisecracking lyrics are as tersely all-knowing as its melody, which is nailed down in brassy syncopated lines that have been copied -but never equaled in sheer melodic memorability—by hundreds of theater composers ever since."[3] McCorkle writes that the score "meant more to me than ever, now that I knew that he wrote it after a grueling world tour and years of separation from his wife and daughters."[24]:81
Historian and composer Alec Wilder noted the difference between this score and Berlin's much earlier works:
To hear... that "Alexander's Ragtime Band" (1911) was the hit of Vienna and probably every large city of Europe by late 1912, and then to realize that the writer of this song, forty years later, wrote the nearly perfect score of Annie Get Your Gun, comes as a profound shock.[26]:94
Apparently the "creative spurt" in which Berlin turned out several songs for the score in a single weekend was an anomaly. According to this daughter, he usually "sweated blood" to write his songs.[25] Annie Get Your Gun is considered to be Berlin's best musical theatre score not only because of the number of hits it contains, but because its songs successfully combine character and plot development. The song "There's No Business Like Show Business" became "Ethel Merman's trademark."[3]
Final shows[link]
Berlin's next show, Miss Liberty (1949), was disappointing, but Call Me Madam in 1950, starring Ethel Merman as Sally Adams, a Washington, D.C. socialite, loosely based the famous Washington hostess Perle Mesta, fared better, giving him his second greatest success. After a failed attempt at retirement, in 1962, at the age of 74, he returned to Broadway with Mr. President. Although it ran for eight months, (with the premiere attended by President John F. Kennedy), it did not become a successful show. But as Richard Corliss points out, it did at least prove that Berlin was still the "uncomplicated lover of the country that had adopted and enriched him . . . [and] his feelings were most directly expressed" by the lyrics to the song, "This Is a Great Country:"[12]
- Hats off to America,
The home of the free and the brave—
If this is flag waving,
Flag waving,
Do you know of a better flag to wave?
Afterwards, Berlin officially announced his retirement and spent his remaining years in New York.
Movie scores[link]
1920s–1950s[link]
In 1922, Madame Butterfly was his first composing film debut. In 1927, his song "Blue Skies", was featured in the first feature-length talkie, The Jazz Singer, with Al Jolson. Later, movies like Top Hat (1935) became the first of a series of distinctive film musicals by Berlin starring performers like Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Judy Garland, Ginger Rogers, and Alice Faye. They usually had light romantic plots and a seemingly endless string of his new and old songs. Similar films included On the Avenue (1937), Gold Diggers in Paris (1938), Holiday Inn (1942), Blue Skies (1946), and Easter Parade (1948), with Judy Garland and Fred Astaire.
"White Christmas" (1942)[link]
The 1942 film Holiday Inn introduced "White Christmas", one of the most recorded songs in history. First sung in the film by Bing Crosby, it sold over 30 million records and stayed #1 on the pop and R&B charts for 10 weeks. Crosby's single was the best-selling single in any music category for more than fifty years. Music critic Stephen Holden credits this partly to the fact that "the song also evokes a primal nostalgia—a pure childlike longing for roots, home and childhood—that goes way beyond the greeting imagery."[3]
Richard Corliss also notes that the song was even more significant having been released soon after America entered World War II: [it] "connected with... GIs in their first winter away from home. To them it voiced the ache of separation and the wistfulness they felt for the girl back home, for the innocence of youth...."[12] Poet Carl Sandburg said, "Way down under this latest hit of his, Irving Berlin catches us where we love peace."[12]
"White Christmas" won Berlin the Academy Award for Best Music in an Original Song, one of seven Oscar nominations he received during his career. In subsequent years, it was re-recorded and became a top-10 seller for numerous artists: Frank Sinatra, Jo Stafford, Ernest Tubb, The Ravens, and The Drifters. It would also be the last time a Berlin song went to #1 upon its release.
Talking about Irving Berlin's "White Christmas", composer–lyricist Garrison Hintz stated that although songwriting can be a complicated process, its final result should sound simplistic. Considering the fact that "White Christmas" has only eight sentences in the entire song, lyrically Mr. Berlin achieved all that was necessary to eventually sell over 100 million copies and capture the hearts of the American public at the same time.[27]
Songwriting methods[link]
According to Saul Bornstein, Berlin's publishing company manager, "It was a ritual for Berlin to write a complete song, words and music, every day."[26]:92 Berlin has said that he "does not believe in inspiration," and feels that although he may be gifted in certain areas, his "most successful compositions were the "result of work." In an interview in 1916, when he was 28, he said:
I do most of my work under pressure. When I have a song to write I go home at night, and after dinner about 8 I begin to work. Sometimes I keep at it till 4 or 5 in the morning. I do most of my writing at night, and although I have lived in the same apartment four years there has never been a complaint from any of my neighbors.... Each day I would attend rehearsals and at night write another song and bring it down the next day.[28]
Not always certain about his own writing abilities, he once asked a songwriter friend, Mr. Herbert, whether he should study composition. "You have a natural gift for words and music," Mr. Herbert told him. "Learning theory might help you a little, but it could cramp your style." Berlin took his advice. Herbert later became a moving force behind the creation of ASCAP, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. In 1914, Berlin joined him as a charter member of the organization that has protected the royalties of composers and writers ever since.[1]
Years later, he was asked whether he ever studied lyrical writing:
I never have, because if I don't know them I do not have to observe any rules and can do as I like, which is much better for me than if I allowed myself to be governed by the rules of versification. In following my own method I can make my jingles fit my music or vice versa with no qualms as to their correctness. Usually I compose my tunes and then fit words to them, though sometimes it's the other way about.[28]
In later years he would emphasize his conviction, saying that "it's the lyric that makes a song a hit, although the tune, of course, is what makes it last."[29]:234
According to music historian Alec Wilder, it was well known that Berlin, unable to write his own music, paid a professional musician to harmonize and write his music, but always did so under his close supervision. He notes that "though Berlin may seldom have played acceptable harmony, he nevertheless, by some mastery of his inner ear, senses it, in fact writes many of his melodies with this natural, intuitive harmonic sense at work in his head, but not in his hands."[26]:93
As a result, Wilder concludes that many admirers of the music of Jerome Kern, Richard Rodgers, and Cole Porter were unlikely to consider Berlin's work in the same category. But he feels that was due primarily to "forgetfulness and confusion," making them inclined to minimize his talent. He writes:
They forget "Soft Lights and Sweet Music,' 'Supper Time,' and 'Cheek to Cheek' because they are confused by his also having written 'What'll I Do?' and 'Always.' The solid, straightforward pop songs of Berlin are minor masterpieces of economy, clarity, and memorability. But they give little hint of the much more sophisticated aspects of his talent as it is revealed in his theater and film music.[26]
Wilder tries to describe the source of Berlin's gift for songwriting: "In his lyrics as in his melodies, Berlin reveals a constant awareness of the world around him: the pulse of the times, the society in which his is functioning. There is nothing of the hothouse about his work, urban though it may be."[26]
Music styles[link]
Music critic Stephen Holden writes that composer Jerome Kern recognized that the essence of Irving Berlin's lyrics was his "faith in the American vernacular" and was so profound that his best-known songs "seem indivisible from the country's history and self-image." He adds that where the songs of Kern, George Gershwin, Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II and Cole Porter brought together Afro-American, Latin American, rural pop, and European operetta, Berlin's music "did not strive to be lofty in that way." He adds that "The best of it is a simple, exquisitely crafted street song whose diction feels so natural that one scarcely notices the craft.... For all of their innovation, they seem to flow straight out of the rhythms and inflections of everyday speech."[3] Wilder also explains Berlin's style of writing:
Whatever idealism some of his songs revealed, the core of his work has been eminently practical: his has been truly a body of work... his approach to songwriting is that of a craftsman rather than a composer.... I have been searching assiduously for stylistic characteristics in Berlin, but I can't find any. I find great songs, good songs, average songs, and commercial songs. But I find no clue to a single, or even duple, point of view in the music.[24]:76
Berlin did state a stylistic goal early in his career: to write a "syncopated operetta." He said, "If I were assigned the task of writing an American opera I should not follow the style of the masters, whose melodies can never be surpassed. Instead I would write a syncopated opera, which, if it failed, would at least possess the merit of novelty. That is what I really want to do eventually—write a syncopated operetta."[28] Two decades later, composer George Gershwin wrote, "I have learned many things from Irving Berlin, but the most precious lesson has been that ragtime—or jazz, as its more developed state was later called—was the only musical idiom in existence that could aptly express America."[2]:117
Many musicians and music historians have attempted to define the qualities about Berlin's songs that made them unique. Gershwin once tried:
His music has that vitality—both rhythmic and melodic—which never seems to lose any of its exuberant freshness; it has that rich, colorful melodic flow which is ever the wonder of all those of who, too, compose songs; his ideas are endless.[2]:117
Among Berlin's contemporaries was Cole Porter, whose music style was often considered more "witty, sophisticated, [and] dirty," according to musicologist Susannah McCorkle. Of the five top songwriters, only Porter and Berlin wrote both their words and music. However, she notes that Porter, unlike Berlin, was a Yale-educated and wealthy Midwesterner whose songs were not successful until he was in his thirties. However, she notes that it was "Berlin [who] got Porter the show that launched his career."[24]:76
During the early 1940s, Berlin became an enthusiastic reader of works by the 18th century English poet, Alexander Pope. He had a genuine "enthusiasm for Pope's lean, compact heroic couplets." He felt that Pope would have made a "brilliant lyric writer."[17]
In 2000, composer-lyricist Stephen Sondheim reflected on the greatest songs in the American Songbook, noting "What distinguishes Berlin is the brilliance of his lyrics. 'You Can't Get a Man With a Gun'—that's as good a comic song as has ever been written by anybody. You look at the jokes and how quickly they're told, and it still has a plot to it. It's sophisticated and very underrated." [30]
Personal life[link]
Marriages[link]
In 1912, he married Dorothy Goetz, the sister of the songwriter E. Ray Goetz. She died six months later of typhoid fever, which she contracted during their honeymoon in Havana. The song he wrote to express his grief, "When I Lost You," was his first ballad.
Years later in the 1920s, he fell in love with a young heiress, Ellin Mackay, the daughter of Clarence Mackay, the socially prominent head of the Postal Telegraph Cable Company. Because Berlin was Jewish and she was Catholic, their life was followed in every possible detail by the press, which found the romance of an immigrant from the Lower East Side and a young heiress a good story.[1]
They met in 1925, and her father opposed the match from the start. He went so far as to send her off to Europe to find other suitors and forget Mr. Berlin. However, Berlin wooed her over the airwaves with his songs, "Remember" and "Always." His biographer, Philip Furia, writes that "even before Ellin returned from Europe, newspapers rumored they were engaged, and Broadway shows featured skits of the lovelorn songwriter...." During the week after her return, both she and Berlin were "besieged by reporters, sometimes fifty at a time." Variety reported that her father had vowed their marriage "would only happen 'over my dead body.'"[29] As a result they decided to elope and were married in a simple civil ceremony at the Municipal Building away from media attention.
A front-page story in the New York Times about the wedding stated, "Although Broadway for months had expected the one-time newsboy and Bowery singer of songs to wed the prominent young society girl... the marriage took Clarence H. Mackay, father of the bride, completely by surprise. He was reported to have been stunned when he learned from a third person of the Municipal Building ceremony." However, the bride's mother, who was divorced from Mr. Mackay, was apparently not of the same mind according to the story: "in fact, some quarters pictured her as desirous of seeing her daughter follow the dictates of her own heart. It was reported that the couple motored to the home of Mrs. Blake [her mother], early in the evening and obtained her blessing."[31]
There were also reports that her father disowned his daughter because of the marriage. Berlin then assigned all rights to a number of popular songs, including "Always," a song still played at weddings, thereby guaranteeing her a steady income regardless of what might happen with their marriage. For some years, Mr. Mackay was not on speaking terms with the Berlins; however, during the Depression five years later, Berlin is said to have bailed out his father-in-law when he suffered because of the stock market crash.[1]
Their marriage remained a love affair and they were inseparable until she died in July 1988 at the age of 85. They had four children during their 63 years of marriage: Irving, who died in infancy; Mary Ellin Barrett and Elizabeth Irving Peters of New York, and Linda Louise Emmet, who lived in Paris.[1]
Lifestyle[link]
In 1916, in the earlier phase of Berlin's career, producer and composer George M. Cohan, during a toast to the young Berlin at a Friar's Club dinner in his honor, described Berlin:
The thing I like about Irvie is that although he has moved up-town and made lots of money, it hasn't turned his head. He hasn't forgotten his friends, he doesn't wear funny clothes, and you will find his watch and his handkerchief in his pockets, where they belong.[28]
It has been noted by Furia that "throughout his life he had a habit of returning to his old haunts in Union Square, Chinatown, and the Bowery, a habit easily indulged in a city where no matter how far up—or down—the ladder of success you had climbed, you could reach your antipodes by walking a few blocks."[29] Berlin would always remember his childhood years when he "slept under tenement steps, ate scraps, and wore secondhand clothes," describing those years as hard but good. "Every man should have a Lower East Side in his life," he said. He used to visit The Music Box Theater, which he founded and which still stands at 239 West Forty-Fifth St.
George Frazier of Life magazine found Berlin to be "intensely nervous," with a habit of tapping his listener with his index finger to emphasize a point, and continually pressing his hair down in back and "picking up any stray crumbs left on a table after a meal." While listening, "he leans forward tensely, with his hands clasped below his knees like a prizefighter waiting in his corner for the bell.... For a man who has known so much glory," writes Frazier, "Berlin has somehow managed to retain the enthusiasm of a novice."[17]
Berlin's daughter later wrote in her memoir that "she found her father a loving, if workaholic, family man who was 'basically an upbeat person, with down periods,' until his last decades, when he retreated from public life...."[24] She adds that her parents liked to celebrate every single holiday with their children. "They seemed to understand the importance, particularly in childhood, of the special day, the same every year, the special stories, foods, and decorations and that special sense of well-being that accompanies a holiday."[24]:80 Although he did comment to his daughter about her mother's lavish Christmas spending, "I gave up trying to get your mother to economize. It was easier just to make more money."[32]
Berlin supported the presidential candidacy of General Dwight Eisenhower, and his song "I Like Ike" featured prominently in the Eisenhower campaign. In his later years he also became more conservative in his views on music. According to his daughter, "He was consumed by patriotism." He often said, "I owe all my success to my adopted country" and once rejected his lawyers' advice to invest in tax shelters, insisting, "I want to pay taxes. I love this country."[24]:80
Berlin was devoted to the Jewish faith and was a staunch advocate of civil rights. Berlin was later honored in 1944 by the National Conference of Christians and Jews for "advancing the aims of the conference to eliminate religious and racial conflict."[33] In 1949, the Young Men's Hebrew Association (YMHA) honored him as one the twelve "most outstanding Americans of Jewish faith."[33] Berlin's Civil Rights Movement support also made him a target of FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, who endlessly investigated him for years.[34]
Death[link]
Berlin died in his sleep on September 22, 1989, in New York City at the age of 101 and was interred in the Woodlawn Cemetery in The Bronx, New York. He was survived by three daughters: Mary Ellin Barrett and Elizabeth Irving Peters of New York, and Linda Louise Emmet, who lives in Paris. He is also survived by nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren.[1]
On the evening following the announcement of his death, the marquee lights of Broadway playhouses were dimmed before curtain time in his memory. President George H. W. Bush said Mr. Berlin was "a legendary man whose words and music will help define the history of our nation." Just minutes before the President's statement was released, he joined a crowd of thousands to sing Berlin's "God Bless America" at a luncheon in Boston. Former President Ronald Reagan, who costarred in Berlin's 1943 musical This Is the Army, said, "Nancy and I are deeply saddened by the death of a wonderfully talented man whose musical genius delighted and stirred millions and will live on forever."[35]
Morton Gould, the composer and conductor who is president of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), of which Mr. Berlin was a founder, said, "What to me is fascinating about this unique genius is that he touched so many people in so many age groups over so many years. He sounded our deepest feelings—happiness, sadness, celebration, loneliness." Ginger Rogers, who danced to Berlin tunes with Fred Astaire, told The Associated Press upon hearing of his death that working with Mr. Berlin had been "like heaven." [35]
Legacy and influence[link]
The New York Times, after his death in 1989, wrote, "Irving Berlin set the tone and the tempo for the tunes America played and sang and danced to for much of the 20th century." An immigrant from Russia, his life became the "classic rags-to-riches story that he never forgot could have happened only in America."[1] During his career he wrote an estimated 1,500 songs[15] and was a legend by the time he turned 30. He went on to write the scores for 19 Broadway shows and 18 Hollywood films,[36] with his songs nominated for Academy Awards on eight occasions. Music historian Susannah McCorkle writes that "in scope, quantity, and quality his work was amazing."[24] Others, such as Broadway musician Anne Phillips, says simply that "the man is an American institution."[37] During his six-decade career, from 1907 to 1966, he produced sheet music, Broadway shows, recordings, and scores played on radio, in films and on television, and his tunes continue to evoke powerful emotions for millions around the world. He wrote songs like "Alexander's Ragtime Band," "Cheek to Cheek", "There's No Business Like Show Business", "Blue Skies" and "Puttin' On the Ritz." Some of his songs have become holiday anthems, such as "Easter Parade", "White Christmas", and "Happy Holiday". "White Christmas" alone sold over 50 million records, the top-selling single of all time, won an ASCAP and an Academy Award, and is one of the most frequently played songs ever written.[1] According to McCorkle, of the top five songwriters in America, only Berlin and Cole Porter wrote both their words and music.[24]
In 1938 "God Bless America" became the unofficial national anthem of the United States, and on September 11, 2001, members of the House of Representatives stood on the steps of the Capitol and solemnly sang "God Bless America" together. The song returned to #1 shortly after 9/11, when Celine Dion recorded it as the title track of a 9/11 benefit album. The following year, the Postal Service issued a commemorative stamp of Berlin. By then, the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of New York had received more than $10 million in royalties from "God Bless America" as a result of Berlin's donation of royalties.[15] According to music historian Gary Giddins, "No other songwriter has written as many anthems.... No one else has written as many pop songs, period... [H]is gift for economy, directness, and slang, presents Berlin as an obsessive, often despairing commentator on the passing scene."[38]:405
In 1934 Life Magazine put him on its cover and inside hailed "this itinerant son of a Russian cantor" as "an American institution."[18] And again in 1943 Life described his songs as follows:
They possess a permanence not generally associated with Tin Pan Alley products and it is more than remotely possible that in days to come Berlin will be looked upon as the Stephen Foster of the 20th century.[17]
At various times his songs were also rallying cries for different causes: He produced musical editorials supporting Al Smith and Dwight Eisenhower as presidential candidates, he wrote songs opposing Prohibition, defending the gold standard, calming the wounds of the Great Depression, and helping the war against Hitler, and in 1950 he wrote an anthem for the state of Israel.[12] Biographer David Leopold adds that "We all know his songs... they are all part of who we are."
At his 100th-birthday celebration in May 1988, violinist Isaac Stern said, "The career of Irving Berlin and American music were intertwined forever—American music was born at his piano,"[1] while songwriter Sammy Cahn pointed out: "If a man, in a lifetime of 50 years, can point to six songs that are immediately identifiable, he has achieved something. Irving Berlin can sing 60 that are immediately identifiable... [Y]ou couldn't have a holiday without his permission."[1] Composer Douglas Moore added:
It's a rare gift which sets Irving Berlin apart from all other contemporary songwriters. It is a gift which qualifies him, along with Stephen Foster, Walt Whitman, Vachel Lindsay and Carl Sandburg, as a great American minstrel. He has caught and immortalized in his songs what we say, what we think about, and what we believe.[1]
ASCAP's records show that 25 of Berlin's songs reached the top of the charts and were re-recorded by dozens of famous singers over the years, such as Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Linda Ronstadt, Rosemary Clooney, Doris Day, Diana Ross, Bing Crosby, Al Jolson, Nat King Cole, and Ella Fitzgerald.[36] In 1924, when Berlin was 36, his biography, The Story of Irving Berlin, was being written by Alexander Woollcott. In a letter to Woollcott, Jerome Kern offered what one writer said "may be the last word" on the significance of Irving Berlin:
Irving Berlin has no place in American music—he is American music. Emotionally, he honestly absorbs the vibrations emanating from the people, manners and life of his time and, in turn, gives these impressions back to the world—simplified, clarified and glorified.[3]
Composer George Gershwin (1898–1937) also tried to describe the importance of Berlin's compositions:
I want to say at once that I frankly believe that Irving Berlin is the greatest songwriter that has ever lived.... His songs are exquisite cameos of perfection, and each one of them is as beautiful as its neighbor. Irving Berlin remains, I think, America's Schubert. But apart from his genuine talent for song-writing, Irving Berlin has had a greater influence upon American music than any other one man. It was Irving Berlin who was the very first to have created a real, inherent American music.... Irving Berlin was the first to free the American song from the nauseating sentimentality which had previously characterized it, and by introducing and perfecting ragtime he had actually given us the first germ of an American musical idiom; he had sowed the first seeds of an American music.[2]:117
Awards and celebrations[link]
- Received the Army's Medal of Merit on October 2, 1945 from General George C. Marshall, at the direction of President Harry S. Truman, in appreciation for writing the music and lyrics to "This Is the Army."
- Won a Tony Award in 1951 for Best Score for the musical, Call Me Madam.
- Received a special Congressional Gold Medal in 1954 from President Dwight D. Eisenhower for contributing the song, "God Bless America." Berlin had also written three songs for his candidacy, including "I Like Ike."
- Won a Special Tony Award (New York City) in 1963 for his contributions to the American musical.
- Awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1968.
- Was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970.
- Was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977 by President Gerald Ford
- Won a Lawrence Langner Tony Award (New York City) in 1978 for his distinguished life in the American theater.
- Awarded (in absentia,) a Medal of Liberty during centennial celebrations for the Statue of Liberty in 1986.
- His 100th-birthday celebration concert for the benefit of Carnegie Hall and ASCAP on May 11, 1988.
- Awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Musical scores[link]
The following list includes scores mostly produced by Berlin. Although some of the plays using his songs were later adapted to films, the list will not include the film unless he was the primary composer.[4]
Stage[link]
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Film scores[link]
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Song lists[link]
Main article: List of Irving Berlin songs
Further information: List of 850 Irving Berlin songs
Footnotes[link]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q “Irving Berlin, Nation's Songwriter, Dies” New York Times, September 23, 1989
- ^ a b c d e Wyatt, Robert; Johnson, John A. The George Gershwin Reader, Oxford Univ. Press (2004)
- ^ a b c d e f g "Pop View; Irving Berlin's American Landscape" New York Times, May 10, 1987
- ^ a b c d e f g Bergreen, Laurence. As Thousands Cheer, Viking Penguin, 1990
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Whitcomb, Ian. Irving Berlin and Ragtime America, Limelight Editions (1988)
- ^ a b Woollcott, Alexander. The Story of Irving Berlin, Da Capo Press, 1983
- ^ a b c d e f Furia, Philip. The Poets of Tin Pan Alley, Oxford Univ. Press (1992)
- ^ a b c Hamm, Charles. Irving Berlin: Songs from the Melting Pot, Oxford Univ. Press, 1997
- ^ Freedland, Michael. 'Irving Berlin', Stein and Day, 1974
- ^ Transposing Upright Piano. National Museum of American History.
- ^ "Max Winslow Dead", New York Times, June 9, 1942
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Corliss, Richard. "That Old Christmas Feeling: Irving America: Richard Corliss remembers Irving Berlin" TIME Magazine. December 24, 2001
- ^ Leopold, David. Irving Berlin's Show Business, Harry Abrams (2005)
- ^ a b "Swing Music History". Retrieved January 12, 2010.
- ^ a b c "Dreaming of Irving Berlin In the Season That He Owned" New York Times, December 23, 2005
- ^ Leopold, David. Irving Berlin's Show Business: Broadway—Hollywood—America, Harry N. Abrams, 2005
- ^ a b c d Frazier, George. Life Magazine, April 5, 1943, pgs. 79–88
- ^ a b Irving Berlin: An American Song, film, 1999
- ^ "Irving Berlin's 'God Bless America'", UPI, November 2, 2001
- ^ "Hand on heart. (Irving Berlin)." The Economist , September 30, 1989
- ^ Bacon, John U., "Oh, Say Can You See a New Anthem?" Ann Arbor Chronicle, February 20, 2010
- ^ "College kids perform Olympic miracle" ESPN TV network
- ^ Danny Kaye's Musical Tribute to the Income Tax, George Mason's History News Network, November 14, 2008, retrieved April 17, 2012
- ^ a b c d e f g h i McCorkle, Susannah. "Always: A Singer's Journey Through the Life of Irving Berlin", American Heritage, November 1998, pgs 74–84
- ^ a b c "BOOKS OF THE TIMES; Recalling the Somber Man Behind So Many Happy Songs" New York Times (book review), January 20, 1995
- ^ a b c d e Wilder, Alec. American Popular Song: The Great Innovators, 1900–1950, Oxford Univ. Press (1972)
- ^ Ascap magazine article,Tribute to Irving Berlin December 1989
- ^ a b c d "The Story of Irving Berlin" New York Times, January 2, 1916
- ^ a b c Furia, Philip. Irving Berlin: A Life in Song Schirmer Books, (1998)
- ^ Rich, Frank."Conversations With Sondheim" New York Times, March 12, 2000
- ^ "Ellin Mackay Wed to Irving Berlin; Surprises Father", New York Times, page one, January 5, 1926
- ^ IMDB bio
- ^ a b "Jewish-American Hall of Fame - Virtual Tour". Amuseum.org. 2007-01-15. http://www.amuseum.org/jahf/virtour/page21.html. Retrieved 2011-12-10.
- ^ Congressional Record, V. 144, Pt. 1, January 27, 1998 to February 13, 1998, pg. 679
- ^ a b "Berlin's Work Is Recalled With Words and Music" New York Times, September 24, 1989
- ^ a b International Movie Database Irving Berlin
- ^ "SING! SING! SING! Salutes Irving Berlin" Broadwayworld.com, November 3, 2010
- ^ Giddins, Gary. Weather Bird: Jazz at the Dawn of its Second Century, Oxford Univ. Press (2004)
References[link]
- Barrett, Mary Ellin (1994). Irving Berlin: A Daughter's Memoir. ISBN 0-671-72533-5.
- Berry, David Carson (2001). “Gambling with Chromaticism? Extra-Diatonic Melodic Expression in the Songs of Irving Berlin,” Theory and Practice 26, 21–85.
- Berry, David Carson (1999). “Dynamic Introductions: The Affective Role of Melodic Ascent and Other Linear Devices in Selected Song Verses of Irving Berlin,” Intégral 13, 1–62.
- Hischak, Thomas S. (1991). Word Crazy, Broadway Lyricists from Cohan to Sondheim. ISBN 0-275-93849-2.
- Rosen, Jody (2002). White Christmas: The Story of an American Song. ISBN 0-7432-1875-2.
External links[link]
| Find more about Irving Berlin on Wikipedia's sister projects: | |
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Images and media from Commons |
 |
Quotations from Wikiquote |
 |
Source texts from Wikisource |
- Papers of Irving Berlin, Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library
- Irving Berlin at the Internet Broadway Database
- Irving Berlin at the Internet Off-Broadway Database
- Irving Berlin at the Internet Movie Database
- Irving Berlin Music Company
- PBS page on Irving Berlin, part of their Great Performances series
- If Irving Berlin could not read or write music, how did he compose? (from The Straight Dope)
- Liner notes for The Vintage Irving Berlin, New World Records NW 238
- Irving Berlin collection of non-commercial sound recordings, at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
- The Judy Room "Easter Parade" section
- Remarkable Sergeants: Ten Vignettes of Noteworthy NCOs Elder, Daniel K.
- U.S. Army Soldier Show
- Irving Berlin | 5th Avenue Theatre
- Tony Awards
- Songwriters Hall of Fame—Irving Berlin
Audios[link]
- "Irving Berlin In Hollywood (Film Score Anthology)" Song clips
- "Irving Berlin Always" Song clips
- "Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Irving Berlin Songbook" Song clips
- "Irving Berlin: A Hundred Years" Song clips
- "The Melody Lingers On: 25 Songs Of Irving Berlin" Song clips
- "Annie Get Your Gun" (film) score samples
- "Annie Get Your Gun (Broadway play) song samples
- "How Deep is the Ocean"—Frank Sinatra
- "What'll I Do?"—Harry Nilsson
- The International Rag at the Library of Congress Jukebox
Videos[link]
- "Ordway Center Spotlight on Irving Berlin" Presentation by James Rocco, V.P. Performing Arts, 8 min.
- Kaye Ballard Tribute 8 min.
- 1982 Oscars Tribute part 2 videos 7 min.
- "God Bless America"—sung by Kate Smith; sung by Celine Dion; with Irving Berlin
- "Always" Frank Sinatra at Irving Berlin's 100th birthday celebration
- "Easter Parade" movie trailer
- "Annie Get Your Gun" "Anything You Can Do"; "Col. Buffalo Bill"
- "Alexander's Ragtime Band" movie trailer
- "Follow the Fleet", Fred Astaire on piano
- "A Cheer for the Navy"; Finale scene from "This is the Army"
- "Let's Face The Music And Dance" with Nat King Cole; version by Diana Krall
- "Blue Skies" Willie Nelson; Al Jolson in "The Jazz Singer" 1927
- "Top Hat" movie trailer
- "Cheek to Cheek" with Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers
- "There's No Business Like Show Business" movie trailer (1954); Song clip
- "Shakin' the Blues Away" with—Doris Day
- "White Christmas" movie trailer—"White Christmas" Broadway promo
- "Play a Simple Melody" by Greater Boston Intergenerational Chorus
- "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm" with Dick Powell & Alice Faye; version with Frank Sinatra
- "A Couple of Swells" with Judy Garland & Fred Astaire
- "Always" with Frank Sinatra slide show
- "Russian Lullaby" (written 1927) with Jacques Gauthe & jazz group
- "Puttin' on the Ritz" with Fred Astaire; played by Cory Hall; piano solo with Jim Hession
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| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| Name | Berlin, Irving |
| Alternative names | |
| Short description | |
| Date of birth | May 11, 1888 |
| Place of birth | Tyumen, Russian Empire |
| Date of death | September 22, 1989 |
| Place of death | New York City, New York, United States |
http://wn.com/Irving_Berlin
Related pages:
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This article is about American actress. For the song by Mika, see Grace Kelly (song). For the jazz musician, see Grace Kelly (musician).
| Grace Kelly | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Grace Kelly in High Society (1956). | |
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| Tenure | April 19, 1956 – September 14, 1982 |
| Spouse | Rainier III, Prince of Monaco |
| Issue | |
| Caroline, Princess of Hanover Albert II, Prince of Monaco Princess Stéphanie of Monaco |
|
| Full name | |
| Grace Patricia Kelly | |
| House | House of Grimaldi |
| Father | John B. Kelly, Sr. |
| Mother | Margaret Katherine Majer |
| Born | (1929-11-12)November 12, 1929 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Died | September 14, 1982(1982-09-14) (aged 52) Monaco |
| Burial | Monaco Cathedral |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Signature |  |
| Religion | Roman Catholicism |
Grace Patricia Kelly (November 12, 1929 – September 14, 1982) was an American actress who, in April 1956, married Rainier III, Prince of Monaco, to become Princess consort of Monaco, styled as Her Serene Highness The Princess of Monaco, and commonly referred to as Princess Grace.
After embarking on an acting career in 1950, at the age of 20, Grace Kelly appeared in New York City theatrical productions as well as in more than forty episodes of live drama productions broadcast during the early 1950s Golden Age of Television. In October 1953, with the release of Mogambo, she became a movie star, a status confirmed in 1954 with a Golden Globe Award and Academy Award nomination as well as leading roles in five films, including The Country Girl, in which she gave a deglamorized, Academy Award-winning performance. She retired from acting at 26 to enter upon her duties in Monaco. She and Prince Rainier had three children: Caroline, Albert, and Stéphanie. She also retained her American roots, maintaining dual US and Monégasque citizenships.
She died after suffering a stroke on September 14, 1982, when she lost control of her automobile and crashed. Her daughter, Princess Stéphanie, was in the car with her, and survived the accident.
In June 1999, the American Film Institute ranked her No.13 in their list of top female stars of American cinema.
Contents |
Family[link]
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This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (April 2010) |
Grace Kelly was born in Philadelphia to John Brendan "Jack" Kelly, and his wife, Margaret Katherine Majer. The newborn was named after her father's sister, who had died at a young age. She was raised Catholic,[1][2] and was of Irish and German descent.[3] Before her marriage, Majer studied physical education at Temple University and later became the first woman to head the Physical Education Department at the University of Pennsylvania. Jack Kelly was a local hero as a triple Olympic-gold-medal-winning sculler, and became wealthy as his construction company became the largest such enterprise on the East Coast.[2] Registering as a Democrat, he obtained the party's nomination for mayor in the 1935 election and lost by the closest margin for any Democrat in the city's history. In later years, he served on the Fairmount Park Commission and, during World War II, was appointed by President Roosevelt as National Director of Physical Fitness.
When Grace was born, the Kellys already had two children, Margaret Katherine, known as Peggy (June 13, 1925 – November 23, 1991) and John Brendan, Jr., known as Kell (May 24, 1927 – May 2, 1985). Another daughter, Elizabeth Anne, known as Lizanne (June 25, 1933 – November 24, 2009), was born three and a half years after Grace.
At Margaret's baptism in 1925, Jack Kelly's mother, Mary Costello Kelly, expressed her disappointment that the baby was not named Grace in memory of her last daughter, who had died young. Upon his mother's death the following year, Jack Kelly resolved that his next daughter would bear the name and, three years later, with the arrival of Grace Patricia in November 1929, his late mother's wish was honored.
Following in his father's athletic footsteps, John Jr. won in 1947 the James E. Sullivan Award as the country's top amateur athlete. Also, similar to his father's gold medals in rowing at the 1920 and 1924 Summer Olympics, he competed in the sport at the 1948, 1952 and the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne where, on November 27, seven months after his sister's Monaco wedding, he won a bronze medal, which he gave to her as a gift of the occasion. He also served as a city councilman, and Philadelphia's Kelly Drive is named for him.
Two of Grace Kelly's uncles were prominent in the arts; her father's eldest brother, Walter C. Kelly (1873–1939), was a vaudeville star whose nationally known act The Virginia Judge was filmed as a 1930 MGM short and a 1935 Paramount feature, and another older brother, George Kelly (1887–1974), estranged from the family due to his homosexuality, became renowned in the 1920s as a dramatist, screenwriter and director with a hit comedy-drama, The Show Off in 1924–25, and was awarded the 1926 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his next play, Craig's Wife.[4]
Acting career[link]
| Grace Kelly | |
|---|---|
 from the film To Catch a Thief |
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| Born | Grace Patricia Kelly |
| Years active | 1950–1956 |
While attending Ravenhill Academy, a prestigious Catholic girls' school, Kelly modeled fashions at local social events with her mother and sisters. In 1942, at the age of twelve, she played a lead in Don't Feed the Animals, a play produced by the East Falls Old Academy Players.[4] During high school, she acted and danced, graduating in May 1947 from Stevens School, a small private institution in a mansion on Walnut Lane in the Northwest Philadelphia neighborhood of Germantown. Her graduation yearbook listed her favorite actress as Ingrid Bergman and her favorite actor as Joseph Cotten.[5] Written in the "Stevens' Prophecy" section was, “Miss Grace P. Kelly – a famous star of stage and screen.”
Theater and television[link]
Because of low mathematics scores, Kelly was rejected by Bennington College in July 1947.[6] To the dismay of her parents—despite his brothers' occupations, her father viewed acting as "a slim cut above streetwalker"[2]—Kelly decided to pursue her dreams of a career in the theater. For an audition into the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York she used a scene from her uncle's 1923 play The Torch-Bearers. Although the school had already selected its semester quota, Kelly obtained an interview with the school's admission officer, Emile Diestel, and was admitted due to her uncle George.[2] Living in Manhattan's Barbizon Hotel for Women, a prestigious establishment which barred men from entering after 10 pm, and working as a model to support her studies, Kelly began her first term the following October. A diligent student, she would use a tape recorder to practice and perfect her speech. Her early acting pursuits led her to the stage, most notably a Broadway debut in Strindberg's The Father alongside Raymond Massey. At 19, her graduation performance was as Tracy Lord in The Philadelphia Story.[2]
Television producer Delbert Mann cast Kelly as Bethel Merriday, an adaptation of the Sinclair Lewis novel of the same name, in her first of nearly sixty live television programs.[2] Success on television eventually brought her a role in a major motion picture. Kelly made her film debut in a small role in the 1951 film Fourteen Hours. She was noticed during a visit to the set by Gary Cooper, who subsequently starred with her in High Noon. Cooper was charmed by Kelly and said that she was "different from all these actresses we've been seeing so much of."
However, her performance in Fourteen Hours was not noticed by critics, and did not lead to her receiving other film acting roles. She continued her work in the theater and on television,[4] although she lacked "vocal horsepower" and would likely not have had a lengthy stage career.[2] Kelly was performing in Colorado’s Elitch Gardens when she received a telegram from Hollywood producer Stanley Kramer, offering her a co-starring role opposite Gary Cooper in High Noon.
Actress for MGM[link]
Kelly's role as Linda Nordley in MGM's production of Mogambo garnered her a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress and her first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Although High Noon increased Kelly's prominence in Hollywood, director John Ford noticed her by seeing a 1950 screen test which showed, he said, that Kelly had "breeding, quality and class".[2] Gene Tierney was initially cast in the role, but due to emotional problems dropped out at the last minute,[7][8] and the studio flew Kelly to Los Angeles to audition in September 1952. She won the role, along with a 7-year contract at the relatively low salary of $850 a week. Kelly signed the deal under two conditions: First that, one out of every two years, she have time off to work in the theater and second, that she be able to live in New York City, at the now-landmarked Manhattan House, at 200 E. 66th Street.[9][2] Just two months later, in November, the cast arrived in Nairobi to begin production. She later told Hollywood columnist Hedda Hopper, "Mogambo had three things that interested me. John Ford, Clark Gable, and a trip to Africa with expenses paid. If Mogambo had been made in Arizona, I wouldn't have done it."[10] The filming timetable afforded her opportunity to indulge in types of activities that undoubtedly would not have been broadcast to the likes of Hedda Hopper or her reading public. Kelly and Mogambo co-star Ava Gardner enjoyed a break in the production schedule to journey to Rome and supposedly spent time there "brothel-hopping."[11]
After the success of Mogambo, Kelly starred in a TV play The Way of an Eagle, with Jean-Pierre Aumont before being cast in the film adaptation of Frederick Knott's Broadway hit Dial M for Murder. Director Alfred Hitchcock also saw the 1950 screen test[2] and would become one of Kelly's last mentors. He took full advantage of Kelly's virginal beauty on-camera. In a scene in which her character Margot Wendice is nearly murdered, a struggle breaks out between her and her would-be-killer Tony Dawson as she kicks her legs and flails her arms attempting to fight off her killer. Dial M for Murder opened in theaters in May 1954 to both positive reviews and box-office triumph.
Kelly began filming scenes for her next film, The Bridges at Toko-Ri, in January 1954 with William Holden. The role of Nancy, the wife of naval officer Harry (Holden), proved to be a minor but pivotal part of the story. Released in January 1955, The New Yorker wrote of Kelly and Holden's unbridled on-screen chemistry, taking note of Kelly's performance of the part "with quiet confidence."
In committing to the role of Lisa Fremont in Rear Window, Kelly unhesitatingly turned down the opportunity to star alongside Marlon Brando in On the Waterfront, which won her replacement, Eva Marie Saint, an Academy Award. "All through the making of Dial M for Murder, he [Hitchcock] sat and talked to me about Rear Window all the time, even before we had discussed my being in it."[12] Much like the shooting of Dial M for Murder, Kelly and Hitchcock shared a close bond of humor and admiration. Sometimes, however, minor strife would emerge on set concerning the wardrobe:
At the rehearsal for the scene in Rear Window when I wore a sheer nightgown, Hitchcock called for Edith Head. He came over here and said, 'Look, the bosom is not right, we're going to have to put something in there.' He was very sweet about it; he didn't want to upset me, so he spoke quietly to Edith. When we went into my dressing room and Edith said, 'Mr. Hitchcock is worried because there's a false pleat here. He wants me to put in falsies.' Well, I said, 'You can't put falsies in this, it's going to show and I'm not going to wear them.' And she said, 'What are we going to do?' So we quickly took it up here, made some adjustments there, and I just did what I could and stood as straight as possible – without falsies. When I walked out onto the set Hitchcock looked at me and at Edith and said, 'See what a difference they make?'
Kelly's new co-star, James Stewart, was highly enthusiastic about working with her.[13] The role of Lisa Fremont, a wealthy Manhattan socialite and model, was unlike any of the previous women which she had played. For the very first time, she was an independent career woman. Stewart played a speculative photographer with a broken leg, bound to a wheelchair and so reduced to curiously observing the happenings outside his window. Just as he had done earlier, Hitchcock provided the camera with a slow-sequenced silhouette of Kelly, along with a close-up of the two stars kissing and finally lingering closely on her profile. With the film's opening in October 1954, Kelly was again praised. Variety's film critic remarked on the casting, commenting about the "earthy quality to the relationship between Stewart and Miss Kelly. Both do a fine job of the picture's acting demands."[14]
Kelly won the role of Bing Crosby's long-suffering wife, Georgie Elgin, in The Country Girl, after a pregnant Jennifer Jones bowed out. Already familiar with the play, Kelly was desperate for the part. This meant that, to MGM's dismay, she would have to be loaned out to Paramount. Kelly threatened the studio that she would pack her bags and leave for New York for good. The vanquished studio caved in, and the part was hers.
The film also paired Kelly again with William Holden. The wife of a washed-up alcoholic singer, played by Crosby, Kelly's character is emotionally torn between two lovers. Holden willfully begs Kelly to leave her husband and be with him. A piece of frail tenderness manages to cloak itself inside of her, even after having been demonized by Crosby, describing "a pathetic hint of frailty in a wonderful glowing man. That appeals a lot to us. It did to me. I was so young. His weaknesses seemed touching and sweet, they made me love him more."
As a result of her performance in The Country Girl, Kelly was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress. Her main competitor for the prize was Judy Garland's much heralded comeback performance in A Star Is Born; playing not only the part of an up and coming actress-singer, but also ironically, the wife of an alcoholic movie star. Although Kelly won the New York Film Critics Circle Award for best actress for her performances in her three big movie roles of 1954 (Rear Window, Dial M For Murder, and The Country Girl), she and Garland both received Golden Globe Awards for their respective performances.
By the following March, the race between Kelly and Garland for the Oscar was very close. On the night of the Academy Awards telecast, March 30, 1955, Garland was unable to attend because she was in the hospital having just given birth to her son, Joseph Luft. However, she was rumored to be the odds-on favorite, and NBC Television cameras were set up in her hospital room so that if she was announced as the winner, Garland could make her acceptance speech live from her hospital bed. However, when William Holden announced Kelly as the winner, the technicians immediately dismantled the cameras without saying one word to Garland. Garland was reported not to have been very gracious about Kelly's win, saying in later years, "I didn't appreciate Grace Kelly taking off her makeup and walking away with my Oscar."
In April 1954, Kelly flew to Colombia for a 10-day shoot on her next project, Green Fire, with Stewart Granger. Kelly played Catherine Knowland, a coffee plantation owner. In Granger's autobiography he writes of his distaste for the film's script, while Kelly later confided to Hedda Hopper, "It wasn't pleasant. We worked at a pathetic village – miserable huts and dirty. Part of the crew got shipwrecked ... It was awful."[10] Green Fire was a critical and box-office failure.
After the back-to-back filming of Rear Window, Toko-Ri, Country Girl and Green Fire, Kelly flew to France, along with department store heir Bernard "Barney" Strauss, to begin work on her third and last film for Alfred Hitchcock, To Catch a Thief. Kelly and her co-star, Cary Grant, developed a mutual admiration. The two cherished their time together for the rest of their lives. Years later, when asked to name his all-time favorite actress, Grant replied without hesitation: "Well, with all due respect to dear Ingrid Bergman, I much preferred Grace. She had serenity."[15] The fireworks scene has been the subject of much commentary, as Hitchcock peppers an undertone of sexual innuendo during the sequence.
Marriage[link]
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Kelly headed the US delegation at the Cannes Film Festival in April 1955. While there, she was invited to participate in a photo session at the Palace of Monaco with Prince Rainier III, the sovereign of the principality. After a series of delays and complications, Kelly met the prince in Monaco.
Upon returning to America, Kelly began work on The Swan, in which she coincidentally portrayed a princess. Meanwhile, she was privately beginning a correspondence with Rainier. In December, Rainier came to America on a trip officially designated as a tour, although it was speculated that Rainier was actively seeking a wife. A 1918 treaty with France stated that if Rainier did not produce an heir, Monaco would revert to France as a result of the Monaco Succession Crisis of 1918. At a press conference in the United States, Rainier was asked if he was pursuing a wife, to which he answered, "No." A second question was posed, asking, "If you were pursuing a wife, what kind would you like?" Rainier smiled and answered, "I don't know – the best." Rainier met Kelly and her family, and after three days, the prince proposed. Kelly accepted and the families began preparing for what the press called "The Wedding of the Century." Kelly and her family had to provide Prince Rainier with a dowry of 2 million USD in order for the marriage to go ahead. The religious wedding was set for April 19, 1956. News of the engagement was a sensation even though it meant the possible end to Kelly's film career. Alfred Hitchcock had quipped that he was "very happy that Grace has found herself such a good part."
Preparations for the wedding were elaborate. The Palace of Monaco was painted and redecorated throughout. On April 4, 1956, leaving from Pier 84 in New York Harbor, Kelly, with her family, bridesmaids, poodle, and over eighty pieces of luggage boarded the ocean liner SS Constitution for the French Riviera. Some 400 reporters applied to sail, though most were turned away. Thousands of fans sent the party off for the eight-day voyage. In Monaco, more than 20,000 people lined the streets to greet the future princess consort.
That same year, MGM released Kelly's last film, the musical comedy High Society (based on the studio's 1940 comedy Philadelphia Story). One highlight of the film was Kelly's duet with Bing Crosby, singing "True Love," with words and music by Cole Porter.
Princess of Monaco[link]
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This unreferenced section requires citations to ensure verifiability. |
File:Grace kelly wedding dress.jpg
Grace Kelly in her wedding dress
Kelly and Rainier had both civil and religious weddings. The 40-minute civil ceremony took place in the Palace Throne Room of Monaco on April 18, 1956, and was broadcast across Europe. To cap the ceremony, the 142 official titles (counterparts of Rainier's) that Kelly acquired in the union were formally recited. The following day the church ceremony took place at Monaco's Saint Nicholas Cathedral. Kelly's wedding dress, designed by MGM's Academy Award–winning Helen Rose, was worked on for six weeks by three dozen seamstresses. The bridesmaid's gowns were designed by Joe Allen Hong at Neiman Marcus after Lawrence Marcus visited Monaco. The 600 guests included Hollywood stars David Niven and his wife Hjördis, Gloria Swanson, Ava Gardner, the crowned head Aga Khan, Gloria Guinness, Aimée de Heeren[citation needed], Daisy Fellowes, Etti Plesch, Lady Diana Cooper, and Conrad Hilton. Frank Sinatra initially accepted an invitation but at the last minute decided otherwise, afraid of upstaging the bride on her wedding day. The ceremony was watched by an estimated 30 million people on television. The prince and princess left that night for their seven-week Mediterranean honeymoon cruise on Rainier's yacht, Deo Juvante II.
As Princess of Monaco, she founded AMADE Mondiale, a Monaco-based non-profit organization eventually recognized by the UN as a Non-Governmental Organization. According to UNESCO's website, AMADE promotes and protects the "moral and physical integrity" and "spiritual well-being of children throughout the world, without distinction of race, nationality or religion and in a spirit of complete political independence." Her daughter Princess Caroline carries the torch for AMADE today in her role as President.
Children and family[link]
Princess Grace gave birth to the couple's first child, Princess Caroline, nine months and four days after the wedding. Twenty-one guns announced the event, a national holiday was called, gambling ceased, and free champagne flowed throughout the principality. A little over a year later, 101 guns announced the birth of their second child, Prince Albert. Prince Rainier and Princess Grace had three children:
- Caroline Louise Marguerite, Princess of Hanover, born January 23, 1957, and now heiress presumptive to the throne of Monaco
- Albert II, Prince of Monaco, born March 14, 1958, current ruler of the Principality of Monaco
- Princess Stéphanie Marie Elisabeth, born February 1, 1965.
Later years[link]
After the wedding, Prince Rainier banned the screening of Kelly's films.[16] Hitchcock offered Kelly the lead in his film Marnie in 1962. She was eager, but public outcry in Monaco against her involvement in a film that portrayed her as a kleptomaniac made her reconsider and ultimately reject the project. Director Herbert Ross attempted to lure Princess Grace for his 1977 film The Turning Point, but Prince Rainier quashed the idea. Later that year, Kelly returned to the arts in a series of poetry readings on stage and the narration of the documentary The Children of Theater Street. She also narrated ABC's made-for-television film The Poppy Is Also a Flower (1966).
As princess, Kelly was active in improving the arts institutions of Monaco, and eventually the Princess Grace Foundation was formed to support local artisans. She was one of the first celebrities to support and speak on behalf of La Leche League, an organization that advocates breastfeeding; she planned a yearly Christmas party for local orphans, and dedicated a Garden Club that reflected her love of flowers.
Kelly was also a member of the International Best Dressed List since 1960.[17]
In 1981, the Prince and Princess celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary.
Personal life[link]
Kelly was the object of the tabloids and gossip throughout her life. Her love life was a particular focus of speculation. Stories of affairs circulated from her first major role in motion pictures and eventually included the names of almost every major actor at the time. It is likely that many of the stories are exaggerated.[18]
During the making of Dial M for Murder, it is rumored that her co-star, Ray Milland, probably seduced her.[2] Milland was 22 years older than she. Milland assured Kelly that he had left his wife, which she would later find out to have been a lie.[19] Muriel Milland was one of the most popular wives in Hollywood and had the support of many friends, including gossip columnist Hedda Hopper. After Muriel Milland found out about the alleged affair, Kelly was branded a homewrecker. After Kelly gave a press interview explaining her side of the story the town seemed to lose interest in the scandal. It was never proven that Kelly actually succumbed to Milland's advances; in fact, her friends at the time, such as Rita Gam, believed she had little interest in him.
Russian fashion designer, Oleg Cassini, having just seen Mogambo earlier that evening, encountered Grace Kelly having dinner at Le Veau d'Or. Formerly married to actress Gene Tierney, the original choice to play Mogambo's Linda Nordley, Cassini was raised in Florence and had a cultured air with an abundance of charm and courtliness. He became just as captivated by Kelly in person as he had been while watching her in the film and soon piqued her curiosity by sending her a daily bouquet of red roses. His persistence paid off when she accepted his invitation to lunch, with the provision that her eldest sister, Peggy, join them. Although Kelly and Cassini almost married,[2] their relationship ended with her parents' refusal to accept a divorced non-Catholic as a future son-in-law.
Prince Rainier laid down a list of strict rules when it came to the encounters with the Princess at the palace, which included no autographs, no photographs, no audio recording devices. And no one was allowed to leave the room for anything, unless, and until, the Princess left the room first, so that she would avoid being trapped by a mob of fans. This observation was reported in 1963.[citation needed] Whether either the Prince or Princess had extramarital affairs is unclear, but the couple had become closer just before Kelly's death.[2]
In a 1960s interview Kelly explained how she had grown to accept the scrutiny as a part of being in the public eye, but expressed concern for her children’s exposure to such relentless "scandal-mongering". After her death celebrity biographers chronicled the rumors with renewed enthusiasm.
Friendship with Josephine Baker[link]
In 1951, the newly famous Kelly took a bold stand against a racist incident involving Black American expatriate singer/dancer Josephine Baker, when Sherman Billingsley's Stork Club in New York refused Baker as a customer. Kelly, who was dining at the club when this happened, was so disgusted that she rushed over to Baker (whom she had never met), took her by the arm, and stormed out with her entire party, vowing never to return (and she never did).[20] The two women became close friends after that night. A significant testament to their close friendship was made evident when Baker was near bankruptcy, and was offered a villa and financial assistance by Kelly (who by that time had become The Princess of Monaco) and her husband Rainier III of Monaco. The princess also encouraged Baker to return to performing and financed Baker's triumphant comeback in 1975, attending the opening night's performance. When Baker died, the Princess secured her burial in Monaco.[citation needed]
Death[link]
On September 13, 1982, while driving with her daughter, Stéphanie, to Monaco from their country home, Roc Agel, on the French side of the border, Princess Grace suffered a stroke, which caused her to drive her Rover P6[21][22] off the serpentine road down a mountainside. The accident site is located at 43°43′35″N 7°24′10″E / 43.72639°N 7.40278°E / 43.72639; 7.40278.[23] Grace was pulled alive from the wreckage, but had suffered serious injuries and was unconscious. She died the following day at the Monaco Hospital (renamed Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace – "The Princess Grace Hospital Centre" in English—in 1985), having never regained consciousness; she was 52 years old. It was initially reported that Princess Stéphanie suffered only minor bruising, although it later emerged that she had suffered a serious cervical fracture.[24]
Grace was buried in the Grimaldi family vault on September 18, 1982, after a requiem mass in Saint Nicholas Cathedral, Monaco.[25] The 400 guests at the service included representatives of foreign governments and of present and past European royal houses. Diana, Princess of Wales represented the British royal family. Cary Grant was among the members of the film community in attendance. Prince Rainier, who did not remarry, was buried alongside her following his death in 2005.[26]
In his eulogy, James Stewart said:
| “ | You know, I just love Grace Kelly. Not because she was a princess, not because she was an actress, not because she was my friend, but because she was just about the nicest lady I ever met. Grace brought into my life as she brought into yours, a soft, warm light every time I saw her, and every time I saw her was a holiday of its own. No question, I'll miss her, we'll all miss her, God bless you, Princess Grace. | ” |
Legacy[link]
File:Grace Kelly at Expo67 - LAC e000996509.jpg
Grace Kelly in 1967
During her pregnancy in 1956 Princess Grace was frequently photographed clutching a distinctive leather hand-bag manufactured by Hermes. The purse, or Sac à dépêches, was likely a shield to prevent Kelly's baby bump from being exposed to the prying eyes of the Paparazzi. The photographs, however, popularized the purse and became so closely associated with the fashion icon that the purse would thereafter be known as the Kelly Bag.[27]
The Princess Grace Foundation, Monaco was founded in 1964 with the aim of helping those with special needs for whom no provision was made within the ordinary social services. In 1983 following Princess Grace's death, Caroline, Princess of Hanover assumed the duties of President of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation. Albert II, Prince of Monaco is Vice-President.[28]
The Princess Grace Foundation-USA (PGF-USA) was established following the death of Princess Grace of Monaco to continue the work that she had done, anonymously, during her lifetime, assisting emerging theater, dance and film artists in America. Incorporated in 1982, PGF-USA is headquartered in New York and is a tax-exempt, not-for-profit, publicly supported organization. The Princess Grace Awards, a program of the Princess Grace Foundation-USA, has awarded nearly 500 artists at more than 100 institutions in the U.S. with more than $7 million to date. The Princess Grace Foundation-USA also holds the exclusive rights to, and facilitates the licensing of, Princess Grace of Monaco's name and likeness throughout the world. Princess Grace Foundation-USA
In 1983, an American television film which focused on the early life of the princess was presented featuring Cheryl Ladd and Ian McShane as Grace and Prince Rainier.[29]
On June 18, 1984, Prince Rainier inaugurated a public rose garden in Monaco in Princess Grace's memory because of her passion for the flower.[30]
In 1993, Princess Grace became the first U.S. actress to appear on a U.S. postage stamp.[16][31]
In 2003, 83 years after Olympic Gold Medalist John Kelly, Sr. was refused entry to the most prestigious rowing event in the world, the Henley Royal Regatta renamed the Women's Quadruple Sculls after his daughter, "Princess Grace Challenge Cup". Princess Grace was invited to present the prizes at the Henley Royal Regatta in 1981 as a peace offering by the Henley Stewards to put a long conflict (61 years) between the Kelly family and Stewards to rest. (NOTE: her brother, John Kelly, Jr., won the Diamond Sculls at Henley in 1947 and 1949 as well as a Bronze Medal in the single sculls at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne.) In 2004 her son, Prince Albert, presented the prizes at the Henley Royal Regatta.
On April 1, 2006, The Philadelphia Museum of Art presented an exhibition entitled, Fit for a Princess: Grace Kelly's Wedding Dress, that ran through May 21, 2006. The exhibition was in honor of the 50th anniversary of Princess Grace and Prince Rainier's wedding.[32]
To commemorate the 25th anniversary of her death, €2 commemorative coins were issued on July 1, 2007 with the "national" side bearing the image of Princess Grace. In Monaco (at the Grimaldi Forum) and the United States (at Sotheby's) a large Princess Grace exhibition, coordinated by the Princely Family, called "Grace, Princess of Monaco: A Tribute to the Life and Legacy of Grace Kelly", celebrated her life and her contribution to the arts through her Foundation.
In 2008, Princess Stephanie opened the "Epoch of Grace Kelly, Princess of Monaco" at the Ekaterina Cultural Foundation in Moscow.
In October 2009, a plaque was placed on the "Rodeo Drive Walk of Style" in recognition of Princess Grace's contributions to style and fashion.[33]
In November 2009, to commemorate what would have been her 80th birthday, TCM named her as star of the month which saw Prince Albert II pay a special tribute to his mother.[34]
In 2010, an exhibition of Grace Kelly's clothes was held at the Victoria and Albert Museum.[35] The exhibition was opened by Prince Albert and Charlene Wittstock in April 2010. This exhibition will continue in Australia at the Bendigo Art Gallery between March 11 and July 17, 2012.[36]
In November 2011, the exhibition "Grace Kelly: from movie star to princess" at the Toronto International Film Festival was opened by Prince Albert and Princess Charlene.
Titles and styles[link]
Titles held by the Princess of Monaco, in chronological order:
- Miss Grace Patricia Kelly (November 12, 1929 – April 18, 1956)
- Her Serene Highness The Princess of Monaco (April 18, 1956 – September 14, 1982)
Princess Grace's official style and title was: Her Serene Highness The Princess of Monaco, Duchess of Valentinois, Marchioness of Baux, Countess of Carlades, Baroness of Saint-Lô, 101 times Dame.[citation needed] Upon her marriage to Prince Rainier III, she received 138 titles in all.[37][38]
Screen credits[link]
Filmography[link]
| Year | Title | Role | Director | Co-stars |
| 1951 | Fourteen Hours | Louise Ann Fuller | Henry Hathaway | Paul Douglas, Richard Basehart, Barbara Bel Geddes |
| 1952 | High Noon | Amy Fowler Kane | Fred Zinnemann | Gary Cooper, Katy Jurado, Lloyd Bridges, Thomas Mitchell |
| 1953 | Mogambo | Linda Nordley | John Ford | Clark Gable, Ava Gardner |
| 1954 | Dial M for Murder | Margot Mary Wendice | Alfred Hitchcock | Ray Milland, Robert Cummings, John Williams |
| Rear Window | Lisa Carol Fremont | Alfred Hitchcock | James Stewart, Wendell Corey, Thelma Ritter, Raymond Burr | |
| The Country Girl | Georgie Elgin | George Seaton | Bing Crosby, William Holden | |
| Green Fire | Catherine Knowland | Andrew Marton | Stewart Granger | |
| The Bridges at Toko-Ri | Nancy Brubaker | Mark Robson | William Holden, Fredric March, Mickey Rooney, Earl Holliman | |
| 1955 | To Catch a Thief | Frances Stevens | Alfred Hitchcock | Cary Grant |
| 1956 | The Swan | Princess Alexandra | Charles Vidor | Alec Guinness, Louis Jourdan |
| High Society | Tracy Samantha Lord | Charles Walters | Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Celeste Holm |
Television appearances and filmography[link]
| Year | TV series and network | Date of broadcast and episode title | Episode sequence | Cast, writer, director and explanatory notes |
| 1948 | Kraft Television Theatre (NBC) |
November 3, 1948: "Old Lady Robbins" |
season 2 episode 7 | Ethel Owen, Grace Kelly |
| 1950 | The Philco Television Playhouse (NBC) |
January 8, 1950: "Bethel Merriday" |
season 2 episode 19 | Grace Kelly as Bethel Merriday, Oliver Thorndike, Warren Stevens, Katherine Meskill, Mary Patton, Frank Stephens, Mary K. Wells —————adapted from novel by Sinclair Lewis directed by Delbert Mann |
| Ripley's Believe It or Not (NBC) |
January 11, 1950: "The Voice of Obsession" |
season 2 episode 2 | John Hudson, Hildy Parks, Grace Kelly | |
| Westinghouse Studio One (CBS) |
January 23, 1950: "The Rockingham Tea Set" |
season 2 episode 20 | Starring Louise Allbritton as Celia Arden; Featuring Catherine Willard as Mrs. Arden, Judson Laire as Dr. Waller, Katherine Emmet as Mrs. Gregory; Introducing Grace Kelly as Sara Mappin, Richard McMurray as David Barr; Other players Cecil Scott and Nell Harrison —————by Virginia Douglas Dawson adapted by Worthington Miner and Matthew E. Harlib directed by Franklin Schaffner |
|
| The Philco Television Playhouse (NBC) |
February 12, 1950: "Ann Rutledge" |
season 2 episode 24 | Grace Kelly as Ann Rutledge, Stephen Courtleigh as Abraham Lincoln | |
| Actors Studio (CBS) |
March 3, 1950: "The Apple Tree" |
season 2 episode 22 | John Merivale, Patricia Kirkland, Grace Kelly host: Marc Connelly |
|
| Cads, Scoundrels and Ladies (NBC) |
April 25, 1950: "The Lovesick Robber" |
drama special | one-time hour-long live presentation replacing The Original Amateur Hour Grace Kelly appears in "The Lovesick Robber", one of the comedy-drama one-act plays |
|
| The Play's the Thing (CBS) |
May 26, 1950: "The Token" |
season 1 episode 7 | Mark Roberts, Grace Kelly host: Marc Connelly |
|
| The Play's the Thing (CBS) |
June 9, 1950: "The Swan" |
season 1 episode 8 | Grace Kelly as Princess Alexandra [the role she will play again in the 1956 film], George Keane as Nicholas Agi, Alfred Ryder as Prince Albert, Jane Hoffman as Princess Beatrix, Leopoldine Konstantin as Queen Maria Dominika, Dennis Hoey as Father Hyacinth —————adapted from play by Ferenc Molnár host: Marc Connelly; directed by David Pressman |
|
| Comedy Theater (CBS) |
July 9, 1950: "Summer Had Better Be Good" |
season 1 episode 1 | Grace Kelly —————by Ruth McKenney |
|
| Lights Out (NBC) |
July 17, 1950: "The Devil to Pay" | season 2 episode 45 | Jonathan Harris, Grace Kelly, Theodore Marcuse directed by William Corrigan |
|
| Big Town (CBS) |
October 5, 1950: "The Pay-Off" | season 1 episode 1 | Patrick McVey, Mary K. Wells, Grace Kelly directed by David Lowell Rich |
|
| The Clock (NBC) |
October 20, 1950: "Vengeance" |
season 2 episode 4 | Torin Thatcher, Grace Kelly —————adapted from novella by Balzac directed by Grey Lockwood |
|
| The Web (CBS) |
November 1, 1950: "Mirror of Delusion" | season 1 episode 18 | Hugh Franklin, Anna Lee, Grace Kelly, Mary Stuart host: Jonathan Blake |
|
| Somerset Maugham TV Theatre (CBS) |
November 15, 1950 | season 1 episode 5 | Leo Penn, Grace Kelly —————adapted from story by W. Somerset Maugham host: W. Somerset Maugham |
|
| Danger (CBS) |
December 19, 1950: "The Sergeant and the Doll" |
season 1 episode 13 | Laura Weber, Grace Kelly, James Westerfield host: Richard Stark |
|
| The Philco Television Playhouse (NBC) |
December 31, 1950: "Leaf Out of a Book" |
season 3 episode 17 | Vicki Cummings, Lauren Gilbert, Grace Kelly, Claudia Morgan [restaged, again on NBC, with most of the same cast, on Goodyear Television Playhouse, broadcast July 6, 1952] | |
| 1951 | The Prudential Family Playhouse (CBS) |
February 13, 1951: "Berkeley Square" |
season 1 episode 10 | Richard Greene as Peter Standish, Grace Kelly as Helen Pettigrew, Rosalind Ivan as Lady Ann Pettigrew, Mary Scott as Kate Pettigrew —————adapted from play by John L. Balderston |
| Nash Airflyte Theater (CBS) |
February 22, 1951: "A Kiss for Mr. Lincoln" |
season 1 episode 23 | Richard Greene, Grace Kelly, Bruce Gordon, Sarah Cunningham, Sarah Floyd host: William Gaxton directed by David Pressman |
|
| Fourteen Hours (TCF) |
first screening: March 6, 1951 |
first feature film | Paul Douglas, Richard Basehart, Barbara Bel Geddes, Debra Paget, Agnes Moorehead, Robert Keith, Howard Da Silva, Jeffrey Hunter, Martin Gabel, Grace Kelly directed by Henry Hathaway |
|
| Armstrong Circle Theatre (NBC) |
June 5, 1951: "Lover's Leap" |
season 1 episode 53 | Leslie Nielsen, Grace Kelly, Don Murphy, Alan Abel, Larry Buchanan, Michael Keith, Charles Mendick | |
| Armstrong Circle Theatre (NBC) |
November 27, 1951: "Brand from the Burning" | season 2 episode 11 | Thomas Coley, Grace Kelly host: Nelson Case |
|
| The Philco Television Playhouse (NBC) |
December 30, 1951: "The Sisters" | season 4 episode 6 | Leslie Nielsen, Grace Kelly, Dorothy Peterson, Natalie Schafer —————by Robert Alan Aurthur directed by Gordon Duff |
|
| 1952 | CBS Television Workshop (CBS) |
January 13, 1952: "Don Quixote" |
season 1 episode 4 | Boris Karloff as Don Quixote, Jimmy Savo as Sancho Panza, Grace Kelly as Dulcinea —————adapted from the Cervantes classic directed by Sidney Lumet |
| Hallmark Television Playhouse (NBC) |
January 20, 1952: "The Big Build Up" |
season 1 episode 4 | Grace Kelly as Claire, Richard Derr, Vinton Hayworth, Parker McCormick, Harry Mehaffey, Elinor Randel —————adapted from novel by Michael Foster host: Sarah Churchill; directed by William Corrigan |
|
| Danger (CBS) |
February 5, 1952: "Prelude to Death" |
season 2 episode 21 | Grace Kelly, Carmen Mathews host: Richard Stark |
|
| The Philco Television Playhouse (NBC) |
February 10, 1952: "Rich Boy" |
season 4 episode 9 | Gene Lyons as Anson Hunter, Grace Kelly as Paula Legendre, Phyllis Kirk as Dolly Karger, Kathleen Comegys as Aunt Edna, Mary Jackson, Henry Hart, Robert McQueeney, Tom Pedi, Geoffrey Lumb, David White, Eric Sinclair —————adapted by Walter Bernstein from short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald; directed by Delbert Mann |
|
| Lux Video Theatre (CBS) |
February 18, 1952: "Life, Liberty and Orrin Dudley" |
season 2 episode 26 | Jackie Cooper as Orrin Dudley, Grace Kelly as Beth —————teleplay by John Whedon directed by Richard Goode |
|
| Lights Out (NBC) |
March 17, 1952: "The Borgia Lamp" |
season 4 episode 30 | Robert Sterling, Grace Kelly, Hugh Griffith | |
| Robert Montgomery Presents (NBC) |
June 2, 1952: "Candles for Theresa" |
season 3 episode 31 | Robert Sterling, Grace Kelly host: Robert Montgomery |
|
| Kraft Television Theatre (NBC) |
June 11, 1952: "The Cricket on the Hearth" | season 5 episode 40 | Russell Hardie as Edward Plummer, Grace Kelly as May Fielding —————adaptation of the Dickens classic |
|
| Suspense (CBS) |
Tuesday, July 1, 1952, 9:30–10pm: "Fifty Beautiful Girls" |
season 4 episode 41 | Joseph Anthony, Grace Kelly, Rusty Lane, Robert Keith, Jr.; host: Rex Marshall [since this episode and the one below were both broadcast live, research has not yet determined how Grace Kelly could have simultaneously performed in both productions] |
|
| Armstrong Circle Theatre (NBC) |
Tuesday, July 1, 1952, 9:30–10pm: "City Editor" |
season 2 episode 41 | Louise Allbritton, Shepperd Strudwick, Grace Kelly host: Joe Ripley [since this episode was apparently broadcast simultaneously with the one above, it is inexplicable how Grace Kelly could have appeared on both] |
|
| Goodyear Television Playhouse (NBC) |
July 6, 1952: "Leaf Out of a Book" |
season 1 episode 20 | Lauren Gilbert, Grace Kelly, Claudia Morgan [restaged production, again on NBC, with most of the same cast, of December 31, 1950 episode of Philco Television Playhouse] |
|
| High Noon (Stanley Kramer Productions) |
first screening: July 7, 1952 |
second feature film | Gary Cooper, Thomas Mitchell, Lloyd Bridges, Katy Jurado, Grace Kelly directed by Fred Zinnemann |
|
| Kraft Television Theatre (NBC) |
August 29, 1952: "The Small Hours" |
season 5 episode 49 | Lauren Gilbert as Henry Mitchell, Katherine Meskill as Laura Mitchell, Grace Kelly as Dorothy Mitchell —————adapted from play by George S. Kaufman and Leueen MacGrath |
|
| Armstrong Circle Theatre (NBC) |
September 2, 1952: "Recapture" |
season 2 episode 48 | Darren McGavin, Grace Kelly, Barbara Baxley host: Joe Ripley directed by Garry Simpson |
|
| Westinghouse Studio One (CBS) |
September 22, 1952: "The Kill" |
season 5 episode 1 | Starring Dick Foran as Jeff, Nina Foch as Carrie, Grace Kelly as Freda, Paul Langton as Marsh, Harry Townes as Dave, Don Hanmer as Al, Carl Frank as Link, George Mitchell as Abner, Joe Maross as Nebro, Alan Devitt as Cap Manny, Frank Marth as Bub, James Coots as Sheriff, Arthur Junaleska as Billy, Lynn Loring as Carol —————based on The Mountains Have No Shadow by Owen Cameron; written for television by Reginald Rose; directed by Franklin Schaffner |
|
| Lux Video Theatre (CBS) |
September 29, 1952: "A Message for Janice" | season 3 episode 6 | Jackie Cooper, Grace Kelly as Janice, George Hall —————by S. H. Barnett from story by Walter C. Brown directed by Richard Goode |
|
| 1953 | Lux Video Theatre (CBS) |
May 14, 1953: "The Betrayer" | season 3 episode 37 | Robert Preston, Grace Kelly as Meg —————written by Charles L. Emmons directed by Fielder Cook |
| The Philco Television Playhouse (NBC) |
June 7, 1953: "The Way of the Eagle" |
season 5 episode 24 | Jean-Pierre Aumont, Grace Kelly | |
| Kraft Television Theatre (NBC) |
June 17, 1953: "Boy of Mine" |
season 6 episode 37 | Henry Jones, Grace Kelly, Martin Newman | |
| Mogambo (MGM) |
first screening: October 9, 1953 |
third feature film | Clark Gable, Ava Gardner, Grace Kelly directed by John Ford |
|
| Toast of the Town (CBS) |
October 18, 1953 | season 7 episode 6 | nine days after release of Mogambo, Grace Kelly performed on America's top-rated star-driven variety program; in other segments: David Wayne, Ralph Meeker, John Forsythe; host: Ed Sullivan | |
| 1954 | Kraft Television Theatre (NBC) |
January 6, 1954: "The Thankful Heart" |
season 7 episode 19 | Florenz Ames, John Stephen [nearly seven months after appearing in her previous live TV drama (on the same anthology series) and, on the brink of movie stardom, with full schedule of film starring roles, Grace Kelly here gives her final performance for the Golden Age of Television] |
| 26th Academy Awards (NBC) |
March 25, 1954 | second televised Academy Awards | host in Hollywood: Donald O'Connor host in New York: Fredric March Grace Kelly as presenter and also nominee for Best Supporting Actress in Mogambo |
|
| The Country Girl (Paramount) |
first screening: May 17, 1954 |
fourth feature film | Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly, William Holden directed by George Seaton |
|
| Dial M for Murder (Warner) |
first screening: May 29, 1954 |
fifth feature film | Ray Milland, Grace Kelly, Robert Cummings directed by Alfred Hitchcock |
|
| Rear Window (Paramount) |
first screening: August 1, 1954 |
sixth feature film | James Stewart, Grace Kelly, Wendell Corey directed by Alfred Hitchcock |
|
| Miss America Pageant (ABC) |
September 11, 1954 | first Miss America Pageant televised | host for the pageant: Bob Russell commentator for ABC network: John Daly co-host for ABC network: Bess Myerson Grace Kelly as one of the judges |
|
| The Bridges at Toko-Ri (Paramount) |
Los Angeles preview: September 25, 1954 |
seventh feature film | William Holden, Grace Kelly, Fredric March directed by Mark Robson |
|
| Green Fire (MGM) |
first screening: December 24, 1954 |
eighth feature film | Stewart Granger, Grace Kelly, Paul Douglas directed by Andrew Marton |
|
| 1955 | Toast of the Town (CBS) |
January 9, 1955: | season 8 episode 18 | Grace Kelly's second performance on the top-rated variety program; in other segments: José Greco, Forrest Tucker, Guy Mitchell, James Michener, The Shipstad & Johnson Ice Follies with Werner Groebli, The U.S.O. Hollywood Troupe, The Kermond Brothers, Richard Dwyer, Marie Crimmins; host: Ed Sullivan |
| 27th Academy Awards (NBC) |
March 30, 1955 | third televised Academy Awards | host in Hollywood: Bob Hope host in New York: Thelma Ritter Grace Kelly as presenter and also nominee (and eventual winner) for Best Actress in The Country Girl |
|
| To Catch a Thief (Paramount) |
first screening: August 3, 1955 |
ninth feature film | Cary Grant, Grace Kelly, Jessie Royce Landis directed by Alfred Hitchcock |
|
| 1956 | 28th Academy Awards (NBC) |
March 21, 1956 | fourth televised Academy Awards | host in Hollywood: Jerry Lewis co-hosts in Hollywood: Claudette Colbert and Joseph L. Mankiewicz Grace Kelly as presenter |
| The Swan (MGM) |
first screening: April 26, 1956 |
tenth feature film | Grace Kelly, Alec Guinness, Louis Jourdan directed by Charles Vidor |
|
| The Wedding in Monaco (MGM) |
first screening: May 17, 1956 |
short film | 31-minute widescreen filmed record of the wedding of Grace Kelly to Prince Rainier directed by Jean Masson |
|
| High Society (MGM) |
first screening: July 17, 1956 |
eleventh feature film | Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra directed by Charles Walters |
|
| The Perry Como Show (NBC) |
September 15, 1956 | season 7 episode 6 | live musical variety program features a segment filmed in the Monaco Royal Palace with Princess Grace and Prince Rainier; in other segments: Irene Dunne, Sal Mineo; host: Perry Como | |
| 1958 | The Ed Sullivan Show (CBS) |
July 6, 1958 | season 11 episode 41 | third appearance of Grace Kelly, now Princess Grace, on the top-rated variety program, which was officially titled Toast of the Town until September 11, 1955; the live show presents a segment filmed in Monaco in which Princess Grace and Prince Rainier describe the two years of their marriage, mention 4-month-old Prince Albert and introduce 18-month-old Princess Caroline; in other segments: William Bendix, Carol Burnett, Esther Williams, Harold Lloyd and Duke Lloyd, Sally Blair, Professor Backwards, The Kirby Stone Four, Robert Q. Lewis, The Moridor Trio, Jumpin Joe Monahan, Wilbert Clark, Joe Cook, Jr., Jacqueline Dubeiffe, Elaine Herndon; host: Ed Sullivan |
Discography[link]
- "True Love" (from High Society, duet with Bing Crosby, 1956)
- L'Oiseau du Nord et L'Oiseau du Soleil, in French and in English (1978)
- Birds, Beasts & Flowers: A Programme of Poetry, Prose and Music (1980)
References[link]
- ^ Forshaw, Barry (May 28, 2009). "Grace Kelly and Hollywood by Donald Spoto". The Times (UK). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/bookreviews/5514352/High-Society-Grace-Kelly-and-Hollywood-by-Donald-Spoto-review.html. Retrieved May 20, 2010. "Born in 1929 and raised by stiff-necked Catholic parents in Philadelphia... Philadelphia convent girl (always remaining Roman Catholic..."
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Jacobs, Laura (May, 2010). "Grace Kelly’s Forever Look". Vanity Fair. http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/features/2010/05/grace-kelly-201005. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
- ^ [1]
- ^ a b c Leigh, Wendy (March 20, 2007). True Grace: The Life and Times of an American Princess. Thomas Dunne Books. ISBN 0-312-34236-5.
- ^ Spoto, Donald (2009). High Society: The Life of Grace Kelly. Harmony. p. 22. ISBN 0-307-39561-8.
- ^ Leigh, Wendy (2007). True Grace: The Life and Times of an American Princess. New York: St. Martins Press. p. 26. ISBN 0-312-38194-8. http://books.google.com/books?id=kyEjXMrvBJ4C&pg=PA26&dq=grace+kelly+bennington+college&hl=en&sa=X&ei=LVE7T72zG6by0gGN-qG5Cw&ved=0CDYQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=grace%20kelly%20bennington%20college&f=false. Retrieved 02–14–12.
- ^ "The Private Life and Times of Gene Tierney". Glamourgirlsofthesilverscreen.com. http://www.glamourgirlsofthesilverscreen.com/show/267/Gene+Tierney/index.html. Retrieved March 13, 2010.
- ^ Tierney and Herskowitz (1978) Wyden Books, Self- Portrait p.150-151
- ^ Barbanel, Josh (October 28, 2007). "New York Times article on Manhattan House". The New York Times (Upper East Side (NYC)). http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/28/realestate/28deal1.html?fta=y. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
- ^ a b Hedda Hopper Collection. Maraget Herrick Library, Los Angeles.
- ^ Kaplan, James (2010). Frank: The Voice. Doubleday. p. 586. ISBN 0-385-51804-8.
- ^ Spoto, Donald (1983). The Dark Side of Genius: The Life of Alfred Hitchcock. Boston: Little, Brown. ISBN 0-306-80932-X.
- ^ Eyles, Allen (September 1987). James Stewart. Stein & Day. ISBN 0-8128-8298-9.
- ^ William Brogdon (July 14, 1954). "Rear Window". Variety. http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117794347.html?categoryid=31&cs=1. Retrieved June 17, 2009.
- ^ Nelson, Nancy (December 2002). Evenings With Cary Grant. Citadel. ISBN 0-8065-2412-X.
- ^ a b Grace Kelly (I) – Biography
- ^ "''Vanity Fair''". Vanity Fair. October 20, 2009. http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/bestdressed/bestdressed_women?currentPage=3. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
- ^ Halliwell's Who's Who in the Movies (2006)
- ^ Robyns, Gwen (1976). Princess Grace. New York: David McKay. ISBN 0-440-20107-1.
- ^ "Larry King Live". CNN. September 3, 2003. http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0309/03/lkl.00.html. Retrieved August 7, 2008.
- ^ "1982: Hollywood princess dead". BBC News. September 14, 1982. http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/september/14/newsid_2516000/2516601.stm.
- ^ Rover P6 Club (September 13, 1982). "Princess Grace of Monaco, P6 fan | Rover P6 Club". Newsite.p6club.com. http://newsite.p6club.com/node/9. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
- ^ "BBC On This Day September 14th 1982". BBC News. September 14, 1985. http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/september/14/newsid_2516000/2516601.stm. Retrieved March 13, 2010.
- ^ "Death of Princess Grace – history – central – British Council – LearnEnglish". British Council. http://www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish-central-history-princess-grace.htm. Retrieved March 13, 2010.
- ^ "Monaco Cathedral". Service Informatique du Ministère d'Etat (Monaco Minister of State Information Service. July 28, 2008. http://www.gouv.mc/devwww/wwwnew.nsf/1909$/b1c5425907fc1876c125706d0042ab74gb?OpenDocument&2Gb. Retrieved October 16, 2010.
- ^ "History of the Hermes Kelly Bag". pursuitist.com. August 13, 2011. http://pursuitist.com/style/hermes-kelly-bag/. Retrieved August 13, 2011.
- ^ Princess Grace Foundation[dead link]
- ^ "Grace Kelly". IMDb. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085616/. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
- ^ "Monaco Official Site". Visitmonaco.com. June 14, 2011. http://www.visitmonaco.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageID=173. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
- ^ Healey, Barth (March 21, 1993). "U.S. and Monaco Honor Grace Kelly". New York Times. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE4DA173DF932A15750C0A965958260.
- ^ "Philadelphia Museum of Art – Information : Press Room : Press Releases : 2006". Philamuseum.org. http://www.philamuseum.org/press/releases/2006/492.html. Retrieved March 13, 2010.
- ^ "Princess Grace, Cartier to get the royal treatment on Rodeo's Walk of Style | All The Rage | Los Angeles Times". Latimesblogs.latimes.com. August 5, 2009. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/alltherage/2009/08/princess-grace-cartier-rodeo-drive-walk-of-style-beverly-hills-grace-kelly-honored-with-star.html. Retrieved March 13, 2010.
- ^ "Now Playing: Grace Kelly: Star of the Month – (TCM Original) Prince Albert II of Monaco". tcm.com. http://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/index/?o_cid=mediaroomlink&cid=274872. Retrieved June 4, 2010.
- ^ Nikkhah, Roya (November 22, 2009). "Grace Kelly's wardrobe to go on display at V&A museum in London". The Daily Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturenews/6622755/Grace-Kellys-wardrobe-to-go-on-display-at-VandA-museum-in-London.html.
- ^ http://www.bendigoartgallery.com.au/Page/Page.asp?Page_Id=278&h=0
- ^ "Grace Kelly Now Has 138 Titles". Star-News. Apr 19, 1956. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=pmdgAAAAIBAJ&sjid=CnINAAAAIBAJ&pg=554,3930075&dq=princess+grace+marchioness+of+baux&hl=en. Retrieved Jul 8, 2011.
- ^ "Grace Gets Titles, All 138 Of Them, In Today's Rites". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Apr 19, 1956. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=EPtXAAAAIBAJ&sjid=xfYDAAAAIBAJ&pg=1574,2479290&dq=princess+grace+marchioness+of+baux&hl=en. Retrieved Jul 8, 2011.
External links[link]
|
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Grace Kelly |
- Grace Kelly at the Internet Movie Database
- Grace Kelly at the TCM Movie Database
- Grace Kelly at the Internet Broadway Database
- Ancestry Chart of Prince Albert
- A list of ancestors of Grace Kelly
- Princess Grace Foundation – USA
- Princely House of Monaco
- Grace Kelly Footage
- Footage of Grace Kelly's Royal Wedding
- Short film about Grace Kelly
| Monegasque royalty | ||
|---|---|---|
| Vacant
Title last held by
Ghislaine Dommanget |
Princess consort of Monaco 1956–1982 |
Vacant
Title next held by
Charlene Wittstock |
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| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| Name | Kelly, Grace |
| Alternative names | Grace, Princess of Monaco |
| Short description | American actor, Monegasque princess |
| Date of birth | November 12, 1929 |
| Place of birth | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US |
| Date of death | September 14, 1982 |
| Place of death | Monte Carlo, Monaco |
http://wn.com/Grace_Kelly
Related pages:
http://ru.wn.com/Келли, Грейс
http://es.wn.com/Grace Kelly
This page contains text from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grace_Kelly
This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, which means that you can copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license.
1:54
Bing Crosby "TOO-RA-LOO-RA-LOO-RA" Going My Way (1944) BARRY FITZGERALD James Royce Shannon
BingandNelsonFan
Bing Crosby "TOO-RA-LOO-RA-LOO-RA" Going My Way (1944) BARRY FITZGERALD James Royce Shannon
Bing Crosby sings "Too Ra Loo Ra Loo Ral" to Barry Fitzgerald. From the 1944 Oscar-winning film "Going My Way".
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