"Peace On Earth? Can It Be?"

Of all the holiday musical offerings we have had over the years. This one stands alone.

David Bowie: I even have a go at White Christmas.

Bing Crosby: You do, huh?

#17 of 31 Things I Love About Christmas: Bing Crosby & David Bowie.

In 1977, you couldn’t have paired two better polar opposites than Bing Crosby and David Bowie. Crosby, Frank Sinatra’s boyhood idol and music icon was in the end of his career, and passed away on October 14, just a little more than a month after this special was taped (September 11). Crosby, depending on who is doing the counting, claims the title of the biggest selling single of all time, 1945’s “White Christmas” of the “Merry Christmas” LP. Again, depending on who is doing the counting, the single has sold 50 million copies worldwide and the album has sold 19 million copies. I’m responsible for 2 copies myself.

I was given the “Merry Christmas” album as one of my first Christmas CDs along with my first CD player (Magnavox this isn't the exact model but you get the idea) for Christmas ’97. What possessed my mom to by this album I’m not sure but I guess it just seemed like something I should have. I loved the album, has such a swinging, classic vibe and this was my gateway to discovering Frank Sinatra. I also realized upon hearing certain songs, that this album was used in “A Christmas Story” (for sure “Jingle Bells” was on when they were opening presents). Not a Christmas goes by without this album getting at least one spin.

The album. Decca DL-8128, 1955. This, along with my vinyl copy of Bill Haley & The Comets “Rock Around The Clock (Decca DL-8225,1956) are my most prized vinyl albums by a long shot. Both, I think were purchased at the House Of Guitars in Rochester NY, at most I paid $2, but I think it was far less. I don’t quite remember when I obtained these two treasures but I do remember my shock and joy upon finding them. The HOG is famous for many reasons including their small palace of CDs, tapes and vinyl they have. Unlike “collectible shops” where those records might go for $50 or more, I have picked up records for as little as 50 cents each. The cover has some wear on it, but the record has nearly no scratches at all. At some point I would love to do a framing of some kind, featuring the album cover, record album, CD cover, CD and a picture of Bowie and Crosby in the middle.

As for David Bowie, they didn’t come any more nuts than him. Though by ’77 he had toned down his career a bit, having gone through the Aladdin Sane/Ziggy Stardust period of eccentric but masterpiece material (Lady Gaga, a true rock star, owes a great deal to Bowie)

The song aired on Bing Crosby’s Merrie Olde Christmas on 11/30/77 on CBS. Bowie, didn’t want to sing “The Little Drummer Boy” so the now classic “Peace On Earth” segment was added. In the banter before the song, you can see the natural tension between the old guard and the new generation. Crosby appears to be the sweet grandfather, making an attempt to understand what the new sound and look is, and Bowie appears to be uneasy before this legend, trying to make a good impression on one who came along long before he did. They found their mutual common ground was a love for Christmas and start in on the song. This was history before your very eyes.

The CD was one of my first. The album was the find of a lifetime. The pairing of Bowie and Crosby while one of many in the history pop music, is now a permanent slice of Americana that can never be duplicated.