| NAME | MESSAGE |
| John J. Murphy, Jr. |
posted 01/17/05 09:09 PM Central Time (US)  contact the author directly
I have been a fan of the music of Bing Crosby for about forty years or so since I watched the road pictures in the 1960's. I've researched his recordings, particularly the formative recordings with the Rhythm Boys and the Paul Whiteman Orchestra (which stands on its own merits) and then the pivotal transition period in 1930-31 wherein Bing's career takes off like a sky rocket. The eleven recordings with Gus Arnheim between November 1930 and May 1931 represent that catalytic stage, especially in January 1931 with "I Surrender, Dear." In March 1931 there is emergence of the first Bing Crosby recordings independent of any band affiliation (barring the 1929 sides with Columbia, wherein Bing's paycheck was still coming from Whiteman) on Brunswick. Based on my reading material and other related articles (I still have to read Mr. Giddon's biography) Roger Marchetti seems to be a background operator in Bing's career at this point. Then Bing goes off on his own, the Rhythm Boys trio breaks up, and the rest is history. The N.Y. Times archives from 1932 indicate that Bing was sued by Marchetti for breach of contract. There was a lot of turmoil during that time, and of course, the book BC-the hollow man (self righteous tabloid junk) expands on Marchetti's role dismissing the talents of the Crosby Brothers in getting Bing off to his giant start. What was going on, then, between March 1931, wherein Marchetti was probably directing a lot of Bing's career moves, and June 1931 wherein the Rhythm Boys left the Cocoanut Grove and Arnheim for a break up? Did Marchetti orchestrate this so he could direct Bing exclusively, knowing the sheer talent this new singer had? Then there was the union black-listing that Marchetti is said to have unraveled so Bill Paley could have Bing sing on the CBS radio network. I am not quite sure what is true here, because there are many renditions by the various authors of this story. I think Bing purposely kept quiet over the years (this appears to be a consistent thread in the Crosby persona that a lot of people tend to misunderstand)in appreciation for the start Marchetti gave him, but found out that his career would have become stifled by whatever designs this benefactor may have had for him. Consequently I believe Bing left him as well, probably for the better, since Bing had a good idea where his career should be going. I enjoy an extensive collection of recordings from this era (1920-1935) and Bing is no doubt the premier vocalist during this time. I still reach for his recordings regularly. I ask these questions as a student of history, not as someone interested in scandal like Shepherd et al in the hollow man book. This was the pivital moment for Bing, and I consider myself lucky to have the recordings to document his career taking off. |