First of all, I don't really like The Little Drummer Boy. And I thought the David Bowie of this era was a wee bit creepy.
Yet, I think this is a charming video, the blending of the androgynous Ziggy Stardust and Mr. Christmas himself, two hugely different eras coming together in what has become a classic. A month after this was filmed, Bing Crosby would be dead of a heart attack.
The show's creators blended Little Drummer Boy and an original song, Peace on Earth, in a last minute attempt to make Bowie, who hated Drummer Boy, willing to go ahead with filming this segment for Bing's 1977 Christmas special.
This very nice song was the result.
And a short clip of a video from a group I just found online, L'Angélus, a beautiful version of another of my very favorite Christmas song...
What a great post! Thanks for both of those Caite. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas girl!
ReplyDeleteI wonder how I missed this one! I was in college in 1977 - I guess I was too busy for Christmas specials. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSandy, I hope you and your family has a grand Christmas too!
ReplyDeleteKathy, I was in college too and I remember it..but I am glad I could point it out. You must have been busy... ;-)
I always did think that the Bing Crosby/David Bowie pairing was so odd ... but it does work! And Bowie looks so angular and sharp during this time ... like a vampire. I guess that is why he got cast in "The Hunger." I was a huge Bowie fan in high school -- much to my parent's dismay!
ReplyDeleteAlthough I'm a bit late, Merry Merry Christmas!
it was odd, which is maybe part of why it is memorable.
ReplyDeleteand it is not too late to wish someone a merry Christmas. it is only the fourth of the twelve days of Christmas!