Archive for Bing Crosby

30 Days Out (from Christmas): Meeting Perry Como

Posted in Christmas with tags , , , , , , , , on December 13, 2010 by 30daysout

Perry Como is one of those singers like, Nat King Cole and Bing Crosby, who will live forever. We hear them every Christmas whether we like it or not.  Crosby’s “White Christmas,” Cole’s “The Christmas Song,” and Como’s “There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays” still rank among the most played and best Christmas offerings. I never got the chance to meet Crosby or Cole, but was lucky enough to meet the great Mr. Como on three separate occasions.

For too many years to count, my great-grandmother, Kate Spensieri, made bread and cookies for Como every other Friday. I have no idea how this started, but I do know that she loved it and he loved her. You could see it on his face when we were lucky enough to deliver a couple of loaves to his house on Jupiter Island, FL one warm day in the spring of 1988. He was extremely kind to me and took a genuine interest when I told him I was a singer in a rock and roll band. He even told me to send him a demo, which, of course, I never did.

My second run-in occurred at a Publix grocery store in Jupiter. I was pushing my then 14-month old daughter, Julianne, around the store looking for something when this older gentleman came up to our cart and started making her laugh by making funny faces. He looked at me and told me she was beautiful and then I did what I always do when I see someone famous…I pointed and said “hey, are you Perry Como?” He put his finger over his mouth, nodded and walked away down the chip aisle.

The third run-in was at St. Jude Catholic Church in Tequesta, FL. During the middle of a hymn, I heard a guy singing behind me and I turned to my grandfather and said..”that sounds like Perry Como.” I’m sure you can guess the rest.

“There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays” by Perry Como

“It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas” by Perry Como

“White Christmas” by Perry Como

Christmas Song of the Day: “Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth” by Bing Crosby and David Bowie

Posted in Christmas with tags , on December 7, 2009 by 30daysout

This may be one of the oddest pairings in music history, but it works. The track was originally recorded on Sept. 11, 1977 for Crosby’s television special, Bing Crosby’s Merrie Olde Christmas. Crosby died a month later and the show aired in November.

Bowie apparently “hated” “Little Drummer Boy” and that’s why “Peace On Earth” was written and added to the tune. He agreed to be on the special because he was trying to “normalize” his career and because his mother was a Crosby fan.

David Bowie Official Website

Bing Crosby Official Website

30 Days Out (from Christmas): Crooners

Posted in 30 Days Out (From Christmas) with tags , , , , , , , , , on December 8, 2008 by 30daysout

 bingleac4                      

Day 11 – Let’s face it, the best Christmas songs were written and recorded in the 1930s, 40s, 50s and 60s, with a few exceptions. Versions of holiday classics like “White Christmas,” “The Christmas Song,” andywilliams“The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” and “Winter Wonderland” by Nat ‘King” Cole, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, Bing Crosby, Andy Williams and Dean Martin are still most popular all these years later.  Why?  Most likely because these guys could really sing.  

MP3: “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” by Andy Williams

MP3: “Christmas Is A-Comin'” by Bing Crosby

MP3: “It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas” by Johnny Mathis

MP3: “The Christmas Waltz” by Frank Sinatra   sinatra3

MP3: “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” by Tom Jones & Cery Matthews

MP3: “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” by Lou Rawls

MP3: “Silver Bells” by Al Martino 

MP3: “Christmas Time All Over The World” by Sammy Davis Jr.

MP3: “Jingle Bell Hustle” by Wayne Newton

MP3: “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” by Dean Martin

YouTube: “The Christmas Song” by Nat “King” Cole

YouTube:”Happy Holidays/It Came Upon A Midnight Clear” by Perry Como

YouTube: “My Favorite Things” by Tony Bennett