“Just for one day”
On this day in 1977, Bing Crosby’s Merrie Olde Christmas TV Special was broadcast in the US.
The show was recorded in Elstree just outside London in the UK on September 11th, 1977.
Notable for the wonderfully bizarre, but nevertheless beautiful David Bowie and Bing Crosby duet of Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy, the broadcast also contained an oft overlooked performance of “Heroes”.
In the promo film, Bowie sings an emotional live vocal over a backing track, with some not so subtle phasing and echo effects on his voice that may well have been added after the event.
Looking amazing, he sings close up straight to camera while several set mime pieces performed by Bowie are superimposed. On paper, it shouldn’t work as well as it does.
The UK had to wait another month to see exactly what the fuss was being reported in the music weeklies, when the show was finally aired there on Christmas Eve 1977.
If you’ve not seen “Heroes” on Bing Crosby’s Merrie Olde Christmas TV special, you’re in for a treat.
FOOTNOTE: The shot of a shirtless Bowie was one of several stills taken during the “Heroes” filming session.
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