Those putting together Bing Crosby's 1977 Christmas special felt he had to have someone to appeal to young people. David Bowie, who was hot at the time, was chosen, though it's unclear how familiar Crosby was with Bowie. Ian Fraser, who worked on the special, told the Washington Post, "I'm pretty sure he did [know]. Bing was no idiot. If he didn't, his kids sure did."
It was an odd pairing. Even odder was what they sang together: "Little Drummer Boy" coupled with a new song, "Peace on Earth." Fraser, who co-wrote the arrangement, told the Post Bowie was originally against doing "Drummer Boy." "David came in and said: 'I hate this song. Is there something else I could sing?' We didn't know quite what to do."
Fraser, Buzz Cohan and Larry Grossman quickly turned out "Peace on Earth." The new song was paired with "Little Drummer Boy" as a medley, rehearsed in less than an hour and then taped. It worked beyond their wildest dreams.
Crosby died a month later from a heart attack. But the song lives on as one of the most popular Christmas songs of the season and a great moment in television, as well as a historic moment for two music legends.
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