Information/Write-up
Canada’s smooth baritone and musical ambassador to television, stage, and record.
Doug Crosley was born in 1936 in Toronto and raised in Oshawa, Ontario, where his lifelong love of singing began in Sunday school and the St. Andrews church choir. While working at General Motors in the engineering department, he entered a local talent show and won over the crowd with “A White Sport Coat (And a Pink Carnation).” That performance launched a professional career that would span more than four decades across Canada and the United States.
In the late 1950s, Crosley began appearing on national television, guesting on CBC programs such as Country Club, Holiday Ranch, Swing Easy, and The Canadian Hit Parade. By the early 1960s, he moved to Winnipeg to host Swing Along, a CBC television variety series. It was there he met his future wife, Jean (Gray), and began raising a family.
Crosley’s breakthrough in the U.S. came when he performed on The Bell Telephone Hour at the Brooklyn Theatre in New York City. This exposure led to a recording contract with RCA Victor, and in 1965 he released his debut LP New Star in Town, arranged by Jack Pleis, Charles Fox, and Marty Manning. The album showcased his romantic balladeer style and featured a blend of contemporary pop and American standards. His follow-up album, Let the Heartaches Begin (Arc AS 266), was released as part of the Arc Centennial Series and featured renditions of contemporary hits and originals.
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Crosley remained a familiar face on both Canadian and American television. He made appearances on Juliette and Friends, The Merv Griffin Show, The Mike Douglas Show, and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. In the 1970s, he hosted his own nationally broadcast CBC series, The Doug Crosley Show, produced out of Winnipeg. He also emceed numerous industrial shows for General Motors and Chrysler across North America, further blending corporate performance with entertainment.
Crosley was also an accomplished stage actor, starring in lead roles in musical theatre productions including Oklahoma!, Bye Bye Birdie, Guys and Dolls, and Brigadoon. His charisma and warmth made him a natural frontman, whether in the studio, on screen, or under the stage lights.
In addition to his commercial releases, Crosley contributed to several broadcast-only LPs produced by CBC Radio Canada. These include From CBC Toronto (LM 30), arranged by Doug Randle, and From CBC Toronto (LM 09) with the Pat Riccio Orchestra — both part of the rare LM series issued for internal broadcast use across the CBC network.
Later in life, Crosley continued to perform with big bands throughout the United States, particularly in Palm Springs and south Florida. He spent his summers in Lakefield, Ontario, overlooking Chemong Lake, with his longtime partner Mary Elliott. Even in his later years, friends recalled his voice as strong and emotive as ever, offering private concerts and musical storytelling to visitors.
Doug Crosley passed away on March 22, 2019, in Oshawa, Ontario, at the age of 83. He is remembered not only for his voice and poise, but for his generosity, humour, and enduring love of performance. His legacy lives on through his recordings, televised appearances, and the countless lives he touched on and off stage.
THE COLOURFUL MUSIC OF HELEN LAIRD
Especially dedicated to that wonderful group of people who have so much spirit, so much heart and so much to sing about… the Hogtowners.
Artist Profiles:
DOUG CROSLEY
Doug was born in Toronto, reared in Oshawa and sprang into fame in Winnipeg.
He has a voice as big and as great as the golden west from which he sprung. For this album, we wanted not only a big voice, but one with a real melodic quality combined with warmth and tenderness.
Doug was able to meet these requirements and we were very pleased when he accepted the offer to do this album.
No words of ours can add to his tremendous rendition of the beautiful love song, Ever Haunted. Sincerity and song speak for themselves.
If perchance you get the urge to stomp your feet or clap your hands when he sings Hogtown, please do so — everyone else does.
BABS BABINEAU
Babs is a Hogtowner from a long way back. She has a family history in Toronto show-business. Her father and uncles played a prominent part with George Wade and his Cornhuskers, when he performed weekly over the radio during the 1930’s and 1940’s.
Babs was recognized at the early age of 15 years, to be a singing winner by Eddie House. She sang professionally with his band for several years.
Then Tommy Dorsey heard her sing and engaged her to travel and sing with his band.
Upon returning to Toronto, she has been very active in television. She was the haunting voice on the Jack Kane show and also performed with Denny Vaughan and numerous others.
Babs was selected to do this album because of her wide singing range and artistic versatility.
We feel sure you will enjoy listening to her sing as much as we do. Especially when she sings — Why Does He Stay In My Mind and Sing A Happy Song.
PAT RICCIO
Pat has always lived in Toronto. Although he has travelled extensively throughout the world, he still prefers to live here and loudly praises his home town.
An accomplished saxophonist player, with a number of exact musical credits to his record, Pat would rather sing for you than let his saxophone do it.
He has much in common with the talented musicians of Toronto’s great orchestras.
When the final note has been sounded, everyone who has heard his renditions will agree:
Pat Riccio has that rare quality of combining the knowledge of the music, arranging and conducting; also for uncovering new voices; but also for writing it for the people of Toronto and giving it to the world.
Doug Crosley: vocals
Babs Babineau: vocals
Arne Chycoski: lead trumpet, flugelhorn
Julius Piekarz: trumpet, flugelhorn
Bob Livingston: trombone
Ray Sikora: trombone
Mo Koffman: saxophone, clarinet, flute
Eugene Amaro: saxophone, clarinet, flute
Mo Weinzweig: saxophone, clarinet, flute
Peter Appleyard: percussion
Hagood Hardy: percussion
Jim Pirie: guitar
Norman Amadio: piano, organ
Bob Price: bass
Bruce Philp: drums
Patti Van Evra: harmony vocals
Bill Richards: 1st violin
Sam Hersenghoren: 2nd violin
Jack Neilson: 3rd violin
Case Ysseltyn: cello
Written by Helen Laird
Engineered by Garry Starr
Album design by Ilona Riskahe
Sound files and scans courtesy of Canadian Cult Classics (https://youtube.com/@Canadian_Cult_Classics)
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