Video: 'Story Behind The Song: Silent Night'
(Thursday, December 24, 1818, Christmas Eve) — The Christmas carol “Silent Night” (Stille Nacht), with words by the priest Josef Mohr, set to music by organist Franz Xaver Gruber, was publicly performed for the first time tonight during the Christmas Midnight Mass at the Church of St. Nikolaus in Oberndorf, Austria. Continue reading Christmas carol ‘Silent Night’ first performed in Salzburg, Austria 200 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 24 1818)
(Monday, December 22, 1958) — “The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late)” by The Chipmunks and David Seville peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two consecutive weeks (Dec. 22/29, 1958). Continue reading ‘The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late)’ by The Chipmunks and David Seville peaks at #1 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 22 1958)
Video: 'Beatles Christmas 1968 - Happy Christmas'
(Saturday, November 30, 1968) — George Harrison taped his contribution today (with the help of Tiny Tim) to The Beatles’ 1968 Christmas Record, an annual holiday musical/spoken performance by The Beatles for members of their fan club, at the New York apartment of Nat Weiss, the former business partner of the group’s late manager, Brian Epstein. Continue reading Harrison records contribution to ‘The Beatles’ 1968 Christmas Record’ 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 30 1968)
Video: 'Beatles Christmas 1968 - Happy Christmas'
(Thursday, November 28, 1968) — John Lennon taped his contribution today in London to The Beatles’ 1968 Christmas Record, an annual holiday musical/spoken performance by The Beatles for members of their fan club. Continue reading Lennon records contribution to ‘The Beatles’ 1968 Christmas Record’ 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 28 1968)
(Monday, January 13, 1958) — “Jingle Bell Rock” by Bobby Helms peaked at #6 on today’s Billboard Top 100 Sides chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Jingle Bell Rock’ by Bobby Helms peaks at #6 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 13 1958)
(Saturday, December 27, 1997) — “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” by Elmo & Patsy peaked at #87 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer’ by Elmo & Patsy peaks at #87 in USA 20 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 27 1997)
Video: 'Frankie Lymon - Goody Goody HD (The Ed Sullivan Show (December 22, 1957)'
(Sunday, December 22, 1957, 8:00-9:00 p.m. EDT) — Frankie Lymon performed “Goody Goody” and “It’s Christmas Time Once Again” on tonight’s edition of the CBS-TV variety show The Ed Sullivan Show live from CBS Studio No. 50 in New York City. Continue reading Frankie Lymon performs on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 22 1957)
Video: 'The Beatles - Christmas Time Is Here Again (1967)'
(Friday, December 15, 1967) — “Christmas Time Is Here Again!,” a holiday musical/spoken flexi-disc by The Beatles, was sent to members of rock band’s UK fan club today. Continue reading The Beatles release ‘Christmas Time Is Here Again!’ 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 15 1967)
Video: 'The Gathering 1977'
(Sunday, December 4, 1977, 9 p.m. EST) — The Gathering, an American made-for-television drama film about a crusty businessman who, facing his last Christmas, makes an eleventh hour attempt to pull together the family which he shattered, premiered tonight on ABC. Continue reading ‘The Gathering’ film premieres on ABC-TV 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 4 1977)
Video: 'Bing Crosby's Merrie Olde Christmas (Full)'
(Wednesday, November 30, 1977, 9 p.m. EST) — Bing Crosby’s Merrie Olde Christmas, Bing Crosby’s final Christmas special, recorded just five weeks before his death on Oct. 14, 1977, aired tonight on CBS, featuring the unusual pairing of Crosby and David Bowie on “Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy” (taped Sept. 11, 1977). Continue reading Crosby, Bowie Christmas duet airs on CBS 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 30 1977)
