SEPTEMBER 11, 1977 – At Elstree Studios near London, David Bowie recorded a guest appearance on “Bing Crosby’s Merrie Olde Christmas” TV special, duetting with Crosby on “Peace On Earth – Little Drummer Boy.” The pair exchanged scripted dialogue about what they each do for their family Christmases, before singing “Little Drummer Boy” with a new counterpoint with original lyrics written for the special, “Peace on Earth.”
According to co-writer Ian Fraser, Bowie balked at singing “Little Drummer Boy”:
“I hate this song. Is there something else I could sing?” Fraser recalled Bowie telling him. Fraser, along with songwriter Larry Grossman and the special’s scriptwriter Buz Kohan, then wrote “Peace on Earth” as a counterpoint to “Little Drummer Boy.” Crosby performed “Little Drummer Boy,” while Bowie sang the new tune “Peace on Earth,” which they reportedly performed after less than an hour of rehearsal.
A few days after the taping, Crosby said of Bowie, “clean-cut kid and a real fine asset to the show. He sings well, has a great voice and reads lines well.”
