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Christmas Crooner Bing Crosby was a Loving and Generous Dad
‘White Christmas.’ ‘Silver Bells.’ ‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town.’ Bing Crosby had so many Christmas hits that his voice became synonymous with the season.
But while most folks enjoyed the crooner’s silky baritone over the airwaves from the 1930s on, his neighbors were often treated to a live Christmas caroling performance from Bing!
“Every year, he would take us out,” his daughter, Mary 55, reveals to ‘Closer,’ in an exclusive interview about her legendary dad who died at 74 in 1977.
“People loved it. It was pretty cool to have Bing Crosby sing outside your window!” she adds.
Bing, who had a staggering 41 No. 1 hits and appeared in countless movies and TV specials, is now the subject of a PBS documentary, airing Dec. 26, which sheds new light on the more personal side of his legacy.
“He was an extraordinary talent,” says Mary. “But there is so much about him that nobody has ever heard.”
Bing with his family in October 1938.
For starters, Bing never kept a dime of the money he made off his classic recording of ‘Silent Night.’ Mary explains, “All of the money from that song, past and future, goes to charity,” noting that her father always supported the U.S. military through charities and through song.
For Mary, December brings a reminder of her father’s enduring love.
“After my dad died, it was painful around Christmas. Now it just makes me so happy that he’s still being played and people still want to hear him,” she says.
To read the full story on Bing pick up the new issue of ‘Closer Weekly,’ on newsstands now!
