THE BING CROSBY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

This year marks a surprising 20 years since The Bing Crosby Historical Society officially closed up shop in Washington. Its founder and heart of the cause was Ken Twiss. I had the honor of knowing him for a couple of years, so I thought it would be fun to relive some memories of the organization:

"Living just north across the Washington State border on Vancouver Island in Canada gave me the opportunity to attend the Bing Crosby Historical Society banquets that were held occasionally in Tacoma. Usually a guest connected to Bing was invited to attend and give a short talk on his/her experiences in working with or knowing Bing. I remember Al Rinker attended in the early 80's. I met Carolyn Schneider who attended the banquet along with her daughter Mollie in 1989. Bill Osborne, who early in life was a radio programme director and DJ in Victoria B.C., was usually the MC. He was very knowledgeable of things Bing and was a very personable MC. Cathie and Hobie Wilson [Bing's Friends & Collectors Society] would drive up from Sonoma, California. Bob & Joyce Lundberg [Bingtalks Fan Club] were regular attendees. I made many new friends from my association with the Society. Unfortunately it folded with the serious illness and passing of founder Ken Twiss." (BEN)

"Ken Twiss enthusiastic Crosby fan and supporter opened his collection and museum to any all who were interested in Bing. Many Crosby enthusiasts also shared some of their treasures with the BCHS museum. Among those who so actively supported Bing's talent and now gone on to a better reward was Bill Osborn, VernTaylor, Russ Rullman, Pat Sullivan, Bob Lundberg, Herb Edleman, come immediately to mind. - The party would go on even after the banquet. Laughter would be heard and felt when the fellas got together and it was usually in an 24 hour restaurant. Happily some of the old timers are still with us and  I wish I could get these fans together in a room once againwith a nice bottle of spirits and let you have a listen. The  conversation would have done Bing and Phil proud, I would even venture to say they would have included themselves in the conversation and would come up with as many corny one liners. Not a cross word or envious remark would have been said and the sharing of information and collections was something to behold. " Hey Hobe, do you have Brunswick label #..... ?" Sure I have several copies, I will send it to you. Guys were always willing to share and be happy to do so.- No greed, no snarky remarks, just comradeship and long standing friendships. Hopefully that spirit will return once again ." (CATHIE WILSON)

More on the society...Established as a non-profit organization in 1977, the Bing Crosby Historical Society (BCHS) in Tacoma, WA achieved widespread recognition as the focus of attention regarding the history, life, and career of Bing Crosby. BCHS was founded by Kenneth Twiss, a longtime fan of Bing Crosby. Twiss dedicated himself and the society to preserving Crosby's memory and his place in history as a leading international radio and film personality. The society sponsored many events and activities, including an annual Tribute to Bing Crosby in Tacoma; the designation of Bing's birthplace as a historic landmark; and the pursuit of the issuance of a commemorative Bing Crosby postage stamp. One of the primary aims of the BCHS was to acquire Bing's birthplace in Tacoma and create a permanent museum of Crosbyana to replace the existing traveling exhibits that had been displayed at functions like the 1989 Washington State Centennial celebration. Unfortunately, this goal was not met. In 1993 with only 216 active members, the BCHS board decided to give its collection to Gonzaga in June 1993.

Those were the days! If anyone else has memories of Ken Twiss or The Bing Crosby Historical Society, please contact me...

REMEMBERING HOBIE WILSON

The late Hobie Wilson was one of the truly great Bing Crosby fans out there, and he will be missed...

Hobie Wilson passed away at his Petaluma residence on January 15, 2013 at the age of 80 years. Loving husband for over 56 years to Cathie Wilson. Devoted father of Elizabeth (Steve) Hanak of Petaluma, Eileen (Gary) Bowers of Sonoma, and Loretta (Tom) Devito of Santa Rosa. Cherished grandfather of Catherine Mary Ackerly, Megan Ackerly, Natalie Hanak, Camille (Nick) Williams, and Jordan Devito and great-grandfather of Sabine Ackerly-Albright and Hobart Ackerly-Esquivias. Dear brother of Edith Stanley of WA and uncle of Joan Stanley.

“Hobie” was president and founding member of the “Bing’s Friends and Collector Society”. For over 30 years he enjoyed publishing the quarterly newsletter. On Sunday evenings he could be heard on our local radio station KTOB playing big band music and of course, Bing Crosby. He worked for the Post Office in San Francisco for over 36 years and previously lived in Sonoma.

As per his request there will not be a service. Memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warriors Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675...

THE BIGGEST BING CROSBY FAN

Bing and Leslie Gaylor

I was an active member of the various Bing Crosby fan clubs from 1991-2011. I miss the old days of involvment in the clubs, when each fan member became a close friend. Fans would share music via cassettes and later CDs, and it was so much fun finding people that had a common interest. I remember the first cassette I got included Bing's last American made recording "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" from April of 1977. I don't have the cassette anymore, I can remember my first involvement in the Crosby club like it was yesterday. I made a lot of lasting friendships from the association in those clubs, and I cherish each and every one of the friends. It got me thinking to those golden years of club members - who was/is the biggest Bing Crosby fan?

I would nominate the late Leslie Gaylor as the biggest fan myself. He not only collected Bing, but he got to meet the legendary crooner during his lifetime. I have a few letters from Leslie, and I treasure them to this day. He was a humble man, and he never acted like he had a complete collection or boasted that he got to know Bing. Sadly, Gaylor would not live long enough to see the Bing Crosby centennial celebrations in 2003. He died in 2000 at the age of 78.

Here are some other choices:

(From Richard "Jarbie" Baker):
How does one measure greatness, (apart from girth)?

There are those who had notable collections of Bing related material, there are the long term, there are those who for other some reasons become prominent - the editors and compilers of magazines, the initiators and members of the various groups. All deserve a mention. Then there are those who badger radio DJs, record producers, radio and TV programmers and the like. Amongst other things, Leslie Gaylor was indeed active in that area.

But surely the Gold Medal should go to the likes of Lionel Pairpoint, Colin Pugh and Fred Reynolds for the extraordinary pure original research which they undertook in comparing and identifying origins and differences between takes, the origins of individual tracks in radio shows and the like. Ralph Harding, Bob Roberts and Derek Parkes are worthy companions in this list which must also include Malcolm MacFarlane, who not only edits "Bing" but also undertook the massive original research contained in "Bing Crosby - Day By Day".


(From Cathie Wilson):
I would have to submit Hobie Wilson's name in notable collectors of Bing Crosby music starting with his first78 rpm at age 15, His folks bought him a "wire" recorder (yes a wire recorder) where he recorded many of Bing's early radio show. He progressed to better equiptment as time went on using magnetic tape and God knows what else. - He had a local radio show here in Petaluma (KTOB) where he played Crosby and alternated with other elements of his collection such as big band, dixieland etc. - The Bing's Friends and Collectors Newsletter was made up of elements from his scrap books that he has kept over the years. Elements of that collection kept the publication up and running for 28 years.


(From Steve Fay):
Steven Lewis does have to be right up there near the top, considering how many other fans he helped!

STEVE LEWIS with Bing fan JANE FITZGERALD

There are so many dedicated Bing Crosby fans out there - ones of the past and ones just discovering the magic that was and is Bing Crosby - long may it continue...

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