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Bing and Bowie Sing Little Drummer Boy

By Anthony Cerminaro

"Christmas variety shows were an inescapable part of Christmas for about 30 years, hosted by Perry Como (who did no less than 39 Christmas specials), John Denver, Bob Hope, The Carpenters and many others. One of the more serious, without the usual comedy sketches and ?surprise? appearances by Santa, was Johnny Cash?s 1977 Christmas special, including an all-star tribute to Cash?s friend Elvis Presley, who had died a few months earlier. That same year, however, provided an even more unusual, and even more moving, Christmas show.

'For his sixteenth Christmas special in a row, legendary singer Bing Crosby wanted to sing with a young star. As he was on a concert tour of London, someone suggested 30-year-old David Bowie, who was then one of Britain?s more offbeat glam-rock artists. Bowie happened to be a huge Crosby fan, so he jumped at the chance. In a segment filmed on September 11, they sang ?Little Drummer Boy,? which was perfect for Crosby?s crooning, but as Bowie?s voice was higher, he also sang Peace on Earth as part of the same number. Bing was impressed by the ?clean-cut kid? and gave him his phone number. Sadly, the crooner died a month later, giving extra poignancy to the special when it was shown in November."

from mental_floss Blog » 8 Great TV Christmas Specials.

Full post as published by Bizz Bang Buzz Blawg on December 13, 2008 (boomark / email).