Sold Date: December 15, 2021
Start Date: December 14, 2021
Final Price: $54.99 (USD)
Seller Feedback: 196
Buyer Feedback: 40

David Bowie & Bing Crosby ‎– Peace On Earth / Little Drummer Boy

Label: RCA ‎– BOWT 12

Format: Vinyl, 12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Mono

Country: UK

Released:1982

Genre: Rock, Pop

Style: Pop Rock, Ballad

Sealed And Housed In Heavy Gauge Plastic Sleeve

====================================

The track was recorded on September 11, 1977, for Bing Crosby's TV special, Bing Crosby's Merrie Olde Christmas, which was to be his last. It was filmed at Elstree Studios in London.

 The sketch followed a plot whereby David Bowie's friend Hudson lets him use his piano, and that Crosby is the 'poor American cousin'.

 They then have scripted dialogue about what they each do with their respective families at Christmas, as well as parenthood, and current music trends (Bowie joking that he likes "old-timers" like John Lennon and Harry Nilsson).

 David Bowie's appearance was described as a "surreal" event, at a time when he was "actively trying to normalize his career".

 He later said he only appeared because "I just knew my mother liked him".

 Co-writer Buz Kohan wasn't sure that Bing knew who Bowie was, but fellow writer Ian Fraser said: "I'm pretty sure he did. Bing was no idiot. If he didn't, his kids sure did."

Fraser also claimed that Bowie wasn't a fan of the song, saying: "I hate this song. Is there something else I could sing?".

 Bing Crosby died soon after it was recorded

Five weeks after the special was recorded, Bing Crosby passed away on October 14, 1977 at the age of 74. Arguably the first multimedia star of the 20th century, he was the most popular entertainer from the 1930s to the 1950s. Kohan, Fraser and songwriter Larry Grossman then wrote 'Peace on Earth' as a counterpoint to 'Little Drummer Boy'. Crosby performed 'Little Drummer Boy', while Bowie sang the new tune, which apparently only had less than an hour of rehearsals.

 Bing later said of Bowie: "A clean-cut kid and a real fine asset to the show. He sings well, has a great voice and reads lines well."