December 1st, 1977, Bing Crosby’s last Christmas special airs and is remembered for his unusual duet with David Bowie, where they sing a new version of “Little Drummer Boy,” with Bowie singing the new “Peace On Earth” lyrics composed by the show’s writers.
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The special aired in the U. S. about seven weeks after Bing died.
Pa ra pum pum pum
This song is absolutely amazing. But Bing Crosby was a fucking horror show child abuser and deserves no praise.
One of my favorite Christmas songs. Cool info on how it was put together. Thanks!
I remember watching this
Bowie agreed to do that because his mother loved Bing Crosby. When he showed up and they told him he was supposed to sing Little Drummer Boy, he said he hated that song, and asked to sing anything else. So the musical director of the show went off and wrote that “Peace On Earth” harmony part for him to sing, and let Bing do the Little Drummer Boy part. And somehow made the song 10 times better in the process.
It should not have worked but it did. A moment of rare pathos.
I think Bing died within weeks (days?) of shooting this
Fu**ing awful. My respect for Bowie fell after that.
Also my favorite Christmas song, it speaks to a deeper part of my spirit. I always pause when it’s playing to appreciate its beauty.