A HOLIDAY RECORDS COUNTDOWN: 03 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS!

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“The Christmas Song” (commonly subtitled “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire” or, as it was originally subtitled, “Merry Christmas to You“) is a classic Christmas song written in 1945 by Robert Wells and Mel Tormé.

The contemporary Holiday classic was included as a late-1968 album entry covered by Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass’ for their ‘Christmas Album’, as it was titled. It was the group’s eleventh release. The LP edition of the album was issued twice. The song was listed as track four on the A-Side of the LP. It was also the B-side to their released Christmas single, “My Favorite Things“.

The single was released on December 7, 1968, according to Billboard. The Christmas Song peaked at #1 and stayed on top of the Christmas charts for 3 weeks.

Collaborating with Alpert in the production was his usual cadre of musicians: Nick Ceroli (drums/percussion), Bob Edmondson (trombone), Tonni Kalash (trumpet), Lou Pagani (keyboards), John Pisano (guitars/mandolin) and Pat Senatore (bass). Perennial sideman, Julius Wechter, appears on marimba and percussion. Alpert provides lead vocals on “The Christmas Song” and “The Bell That Couldn’t Jingle,” and there are also appearances by a studio choir and string instruments, arranged by Shorty Rogers.

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Sources: Wikipedia; Billboard’s Christmas in the Charts 1920-2004

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For previous Holiday Yule Tides Countdown record #04 GO HERE

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CHRISTMAS, 1966: THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!

Televised the night of December 18, 1966 on Detroit NBC WWJ-TV (Channel 4), 10:00 p.m., 55 years ago. Guests: Dom DeLouise, Bob Newhart and Dennis Weaver.

Guests: Andy and his brothers (The Williams Brothers), Bob, Dick and Don. His wife, Claudine Longet, and The Osmond Brothers.

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Source: The Detroit Free Press; Sunday; December 19, 1968

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THIS WEEK! WJBK RADIO 15 RECORD REVIEW: DECEMBER 20, 1963

WJBK RADIO 15 RECORD REVIEW December 20, 1963

WJBK RADIO 15 RECORD REVIEW December 20, 1963

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This official Record Review survey was tabulated overall by each record’s popularity and its appeal, sales, listener requests and record airplays based on the judgement of WJBK Radio 1500 (1963).

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The above WJBK chart was digitally restored by Motor City Radio Flashbacks

* A MCRFB VIEWING TIP *

ON YOUR PC? To fully appreciate this WJBK Radio Record Review chart for the week of December 20, 1963 click on image 2x and open to second window. Click image anytime to return to NORMAL image size.

Click your server’s back button to return to MCRFB home page.

ON YOUR MOBILE DEVICE? Tap on image. Open to second window. “Stretch” chart image across your device screen to magnify for larger print view.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU

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A sincere, thank you, Mrs. Patti Griggs. This featured presentation would have not been possible without your generosity, dedication, and your continuous support.

Above WJBK music chart courtesy of Mrs. Patti Griggs and the George L. Griggs estate.

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A HOLIDAY RECORDS COUNTDOWN: 04 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS!

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“We Need A Little Christmas” is a contemporary Christmas song recorded by the American large-ensemble folk-pop group, The New Christy Minstrels, founded by Randy Sparks in 1961. The group has recorded more than 20 albums and scored several hits, including “Green, Green”, “Saturday Night”, “Today”, “Denver”, and “This Land Is Your Land”. The group’s 1962 debut album, Presenting The New Christy Minstrels, won a Grammy Award and was on the Billboard charts for two years.

The group sold millions of records, was in demand at concerts and on television shows, and helped launch the musical careers of several musicians in the group, including, Kenny Rogers, Gene Clark, Kim Carnes, Larry Ramos, and Barry McGuire.

The single, as titled, was also a musical adaptation from the Broadway play “Mame”. “We Need A Little Christmas” was recorded and released for the holiday season on the Columbia label, November 1966.

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Source: Wikipedia

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For previous Holiday Yule Tides Countdown record #05 GO HERE

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CHRISTMAS, 1968: THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!

Televised the night of December 19, 1968 on Detroit NBC WWJ-TV (Channel 4), 10:00 p.m., 53 years ago. Guests: Dom DeLouise, Bob Newhart and Dennis Weaver.

PLUS: Cameos by dozens of celebrities, including Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra Jr. William Holden, Johnny Carson, announcing the sending of gifts of toys to children in hospitals and through various charities at end of show.

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Source: The Detroit Free Press; Thursday; December 19, 1968

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A HOLIDAY RECORDS COUNTDOWN: 05 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS!

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“Merry, Merry Christmas Baby” is a Christmas song recorded by Dodie Stevens (born Geraldine Ann Pasquale on February 17, 1946), an American rock and pop singer, notably in late-50s and early 1960s. She is best known for her 1959 song “Pink Shoe Laces.” It debuted at number 96 on the Billboard Hot 100 when Stevens was one day short of 13 years old, and eventually peaked at number 3.

Stevens’ only Holiday single, “Merry Christmas Baby” was released on Dot Records (16166) in November 1960.  Studio orchestration for the recording was conducted by Milt Rogers. The selection continues to enjoy popular airplay during the Christmas season.

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Source: Wikipedia

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For previous Holiday Yule Tides Countdown record #06 GO HERE

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WKNR TOP 30 ROCK ‘N’ ROLL HITS: DECEMBER 20, 1971

WKNR ROCK ‘N’ ROLL SURVEY GUIDE December 20, 1971

WKNR ROCK ‘N’ ROLL SURVEY GUIDE December 20, 1971

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The above WKNR chart was digitally restored by Motor City Radio Flashbacks

NOTE: During the course of WKNR’s nearly nine year charts run, there had been four appearance modifications in the chart’s designs. Last week, we featured the third (and final week) of that chart’s design run (December 13; see it here). The above December 20, 1971 chart debut’s the new look for the week’s survey. The “new look” ultimately would be the final template altogether for WKNR’s chart playlists. The Keener story bears noting the station would cease publication of their music charts by the end of March, 1972.

— A MCRFB VIEWING TIP —

ON YOUR MOBILE DEVICE? Tap over the WKNR chart image. Open to second window. “Stretch” image across your device screen to magnify for largest print view.

ON YOUR PC? Click on chart images 2x for largest print view.

— In Memory of George Griggs —

A SPECIAL THANK YOU

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A sincere, thank you, Mrs. Patti Griggs. This featured presentation would have not been possible without your generosity, dedication, and your continuous support.

Above WKNR music chart courtesy of Mrs. Patti Griggs and the George L. Griggs estate.

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