ROLLING STONE: When David Bowie appeared on Bing Crosby’s 42nd and final Christmas special, it was his attempt to make his arty career more mainstream, more normal. Instead, the glam-rocker’s duet with the legendary crooner Crosby resulted in one of the strangest moments of both of their careers. In September of 1977, Bowie taped his only appearance on Crosby’s family-friendly Christmas variety show; the pair sang two songs, “Little Drummer Boy” and “Peace on Earth.” They reportedly spent less than an hour rehearsing both songs – during which Bowie reportedly begged in vain to sing anything besides “Little Drummer Boy” – and on camera, Bowie followed up the duet with a largely impromptu take on his own “Heroes.” Bowie and Crosby’s “Little Drummer Boy” has become an enduring cult classic due to the pair’s bizarre on-screen chemistry: saccharine and straight-laced, replete with banter about John Lennon and fleeting expressions of consternation crossing the Thin White Duke’s face. Sadly, Crosby died one month after filming, but the single has been a staple of British holiday radio ever since. MORE]
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