The Unlikely Duet: David Bowie and Bing Crosby's Christmas Collaboration

The iconic duet between David Bowie and Bing Crosby, featured in the 1977 holiday special *Merrie Olde Christmas*, almost did not come to fruition. Bowie, despite his mother's admiration for Crosby, initially refused to participate due to his strong dislike for the original song proposed for the duet, "Little Drummer Boy." According to Larry Grossman, a writer for the special, Bowie stated, "I won’t sing that song," and insisted that if he had to perform it, he could not be part of the show.

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To salvage the collaboration, the writers, including Grossman and co-writer Buz Kohan, devised a new arrangement that combined "Little Drummer Boy" with a counter melody titled "Peace on Earth." Kohan recounted that within an hour, they had crafted a new bridge that would appeal to Bowie. This creative compromise allowed the duet to maintain the essence of both artists, with Crosby's relaxed demeanor complementing Bowie's unique style.

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The performance was filmed in September 1977, shortly before Crosby's death from a heart attack just five weeks later at the age of 74. The special aired posthumously in the United States at the end of November and on Christmas Eve in England. The duet, "Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy," was later released as a single by RCA Records in November 1982, achieving significant commercial success. It peaked at No. 3 on the United Kingdom Singles chart, marking Crosby's final popular hit and selling over 400,000 copies in the UK alone.

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In addition to the duet, *Merrie Olde Christmas* featured performances from Twiggy, Ron Moody, Stanley Baxter, the Trinity Boys Choir, and members of the Crosby family, contributing to its festive atmosphere. The collaboration between Bowie and Crosby has since become a staple of holiday music, celebrated for its unexpected pairing of two distinct musical legends.

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While the duet is widely cherished, some critics have noted the stark contrast between Bowie's avant-garde style and Crosby's traditional crooning, suggesting that the collaboration may not resonate with all audiences. However, the successful blending of their musical styles has ultimately been viewed as a pioneering moment in holiday entertainment.

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• “We had decided that we wanted them to do a duet of a ‘Little Drummer Boy,’ and when we told Bowie about the number, he said, ‘I won’t sing that song.' We said, ‘Why?’ and he said, ‘I hate that song,'” — David Bowie

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• “We had decided that we wanted them to do a duet of a ‘Little Drummer Boy,’ and when we told Bowie about the number, he said, ‘I won’t sing that song.' We said, ‘Why?’ and he said, ‘I hate that song,'” — Larry Grossman, Writer for *Merrie Olde Christmas*

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• “Bing loved the challenge, and he was able to transform himself without losing any of the ‘Crosby-isms’ — that relaxed feeling and the atmosphere that he would always create whenever he was on camera.” — Buz Kohan, Co-writer of *Merrie Olde Christmas*

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