Bing Crosby celebrates half a century as a performer bringing a special show to Dublin.
Bing Crosby is in Dublin with a show that celebrates his 50 years working in entertainment. In the green room at the Gaiety Theatre, the American singer, dancer and actor chats to Áine O'Connor about his upbringing and career in showbusiness.
Now aged 72, Bing Crosby attributes his distinctive style to the music he heard growing up. His father was a musician and singer who performed in numerous Gilbert and Sullivan operas, while his mother was also a singer, so there was always music at home. So influences came from John McCormack, Al Jolson and traditional ballad singers. He learned rhythm and blues while performing in a college band and later developed his comedic style on the vaudeville stage.
It’s a style that’s been acquired just by imitating a lot of other people.
Bing Crosby also pays tribute to his uncle, George Harrigan, an Irishman, whom he idolised, describing him as a gifted singer and storyteller, capable of performing in any accent. His theme song was 'Harrigan’. Both his grandmother and grandfather came from Irish stock, Aherne and Harrigan. He has yet to trace specific family connections. The name Crosby, he adds, comes from his father’s English lineage.
Reflecting on his voice, Bing Crosby believes that while he has lost some of the higher notes over time, he has gained depth in the lower register. His focus, both in singing and songwriting, remains firmly on lyrics and storytelling, which he sees as key to connecting with an audience.
Performance has been central to his life from an early age. Educated by the Jesuits, he took part in elocution classes, debates and stage productions, developing his skills in projection and delivery. After early performances in the local parish hall, he progressed to singing in restaurants and roadhouses. His breakthrough came in Los Angeles in 1926.
Bing Crosby was in Dublin with his wife Kathryn, three of their children, and Rosemary Clooney for two gala performances at the Gaiety Theatre. The shows also featured British comedian Ted Rogers, the Joe Bushkin Quartet, and the Pete Moore Orchestra. The show is marking Bing Crosby’s 50 years in show business, with proceeds supporting a range of British and Irish charities, including the Artane Boys’ Band.
This episode of 'Last House' was broadcast on 13 July 1976. The presenter is Áine O'Connor.
'Last House' was launched as a summer magazine programme featuring all the latest arts news in 1975. It was produced by John McColgan and presented by Tom McGurk and Áine O'Connor. It was so popular that it was converted into 'First House' for the autumn season, reverting to 'Last House' the following summer, when it was produced by Agnes Cogan.