Mary Crosby speaks admirably of her father Bing Crosby – perhaps you’ve heard of him? – who frequented Ireland in the ‘60s out of an intrigue for his heritage, and also horses.

“Dad was very Irish and grew up in a very Irish household,” she reflects. “That was part of our world. We grew up feeling strongly Irish, with the Irish lullabies and all that good stuff.”

The last time Mary herself was in Ireland was to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Irish Sweepstakes, in which her father had a horse that won.

“I think most people are aware of who he is and what he stands for,” she explains. However, there’s an aspect to his reputation that she worries people still haven’t shaken. Her half-brother Gary Crosby published a memoir in 1983 that alleged rampant abuse and alcoholism in the household.

“After Dad died, I had lunch with Gary,” recalls Mary. “He said, ‘You know, they told me that the worse it was, the more books would sell.’ And then he apologised profusely. At that point the damage was done. So there was a period of time where people read this awful book and thought that it was the truth. And it didn’t matter that Gary kind of recanted afterwards.

“But I think now, decades later, people know better. And so I’m hoping there aren’t misconceptions anymore.”

For Mary, her childhood was happy and simple.

“People assume that we grew up in a very Hollywood environment, but we didn’t at all,” she reveals. “We grew up outside San Francisco and went to public schools. It was very important to my Dad that we grew up in a really stable environment, that didn’t have the grandiosity and excess of Hollywood, and that was achieved.”

Once a year, however, the family would venture down to Hollywood to record the annual Bing Crosby Christmas special.
“It was never work,” insists Mary. “That was just flat-out fun. We got to be together as a family and sing songs. And every year, there was always somebody who was interesting or cool or who I had a crush on.”

She names Glen Campbell, Mikhail Baryshnikov, and Michael Landon as a few noteworthy names – and of course, she was on set for the iconic episode with David Bowie. However, there was one guest star in particular she found particularly incredible.

“Fred Astaire came out of retirement to do a show with Dad,” she recalls, starry eyed. “I was so starstruck by Fred Astaire, I couldn’t talk. He was such a gentleman. And I got to dance with him, so that was a really huge deal.”

Of course, today, the release of Bing At Christmas with the London Symphony Orchestra is the biggest deal in her life. The album, which just reached No. 5 on the Irish charts, features remastered recordings of Bing Crosby’s Christmas, paired with newly-recorded orchestral arrangements.

“We were unbelievably happy with the result,” beams Mary. “Kudos to the London Symphony Orchestra and the producers, arrangers and artists involved. They support Dad’s voice beautifully, so we’re thrilled.”

At the end of the day, Mary reveres her father and his spirit, and hopes that these songs will continue his legacy.

“My Christmas wish is that the spirit of Dad continues throughout the year,” she concludes. “Dad didn’t simply sing Christmas songs; he sang songs about kindness and giving back. And they cross religions and cultures. I think these are difficult times and we need comfort and hope and joy. And so, I would wish for the spirit of kindness to continue through the year across the world.”

Bing At Christmas with the London Symphony Orchestra is available now.