I was feeling a little despondent when I started to prepare these notes. No new releases were in sight, media mentions were becoming rarer, Bing was being heard less and less on the radio and a couple of radio presenters who regularly played our man had hung up their boots. Then, quite unexpectedly, I received a galley proof of Gary Giddins’ new book “Swinging on a Star”.

To say I was delighted is a major understatement. I was ecstatic and I devoured the book rapidly. Superbly written, it’s a magnificent tome and in particular the chapter on Bing in France in 1944 is breath-taking! We have more information on a subsequent page but I urge you all to order your copy now. Amazon and also Barnes & Noble have it and no doubt many other booksellers too.

This issue of BING magazine is, as usual, packed with a diverse range of articles. Martin McQuade contributes various chapters including a review of the new King of Jazz Blu-ray issue. David Lobosco leads off the expanded Celluloid Crosby section with a look at Rhythm on the Range, Ken Crossland remembers a very dear friend and Jeremy Rose comes back to our pages with his thoughts on the ‘Return to Paradise Islands’ album. Lorne Harasen begins a series of articles about his interactions with Mr. Crosby, and Bob Phillips reports on an important development with the Crosby Building on Sunset Boulevard. Please spare a thought for Richard Baker as he scours the world for new releases in ‘Keeping Track’. The 1972 Parkinson show receives close scrutiny in this edition, Marcos Callau, of Saragossa, Spain discusses the mutual admiration society of Bing and Frank Sinatra and there’s lots more. Also, a first – no show-business obituaries in the “Once in a While” section.

Copy date for our winter edition is October 25 but earlier submission is always appreciated. All contributions welcomed.

Malcolm Macfarlane - Editor

This 56 page glossy magazine continues to be essential reading for the serious Crosby supporter and order your copy of the magazine now by calling Wig Wiggins on (703) 241-5608 or by e-mailing the Editor.

To see details of earlier issues, click here.

CONTENTS OF THE SUMMER ISSUE
Editorial
Secretary / Treasurer's report
Catherine Anne Ferguson 1934-2018
Ernest Sutkowski
Crosby Building for National Historic Register
Bing Crosby in “The Road to Rock ‘n’ Roll”
Bing ‘grand marshal’ of St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Baseball Is Back!
Going My Way in Warrington
Drifting and Dreaming on Governors’ Island
Swinging on a Star – The War Years 1940-1946
Return to Paradise Islands
Bing and Frank, a Mutual Admiration Society
The Harasen Line
Trading Post
Books ‘N’ Bing
This Road Leads to Carnegie Hall
Bing on Parkinson
Celluloid Crosby
This is the Future
Bing Crosby – Swinging on a Star
Cinerama’s Russian Adventure
Beverly Washburn's favorite co-stars
One Sweet Letter from You
Ken Crossland’s Crosbyana
A Note from Australia
Bing on the Box
The Way We Were
Keeping Track