Pick a Day

Music History Events: Christmas

December 8, 1998 Yoko Ono spreads some Christmas cheer via a billboard in New York's Times Square, reprising her 1969 campaign with the message "War is Over! If you want it. Happy Christmas from John & Yoko."

October 29, 1993 Tim Burton's animated musical The Nightmare Before Christmas hits US theaters. The film features music composed by Danny Elfman of Oingo Boingo; Elfman also sings the vocal parts of protagonist Jack Skellington.

December 1, 1989 Christmas Vacation, starring Chevy Chase, hits theaters in the US, with a theme song written by the powerhouse songwriting duo Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, and sung by Mavis Staples.

November 29, 1987 Burl Ives and Mac Davis join Dolly Parton for a "Down Home Country Christmas" on her TV series, Dolly, singing numerous holiday favorites with children and puppets.

December 23, 1966 Eighteen-year-old Olivia Newton-John makes her film debut in the Australian musical comedy Funny Things Happen Down Under, about a group of kids who stumble upon a formula to make rainbow-colored sheep's wool. Olivia has a minor role but sings "Christmas Time Down Under."

December 9, 1963 The Beach Boys release "Little Saint Nick," which envisions Santa in a hot-rod sleigh.

July 15, 1959 Perry Como re-records his hit Christmas song "(There's No Place Like) Home For The Holidays" for his album Season's Greetings from Perry Como. This version features the Mitchell Ayres Orchestra and the Ray Charles Singers.

October 6, 1958 Johnny Mathis releases his first of many holiday albums, Merry Christmas. The balladeer's smooth renderings of traditional Christmas tunes become a staple of the season for years to come.

November 28, 1957 Harry Belafonte becomes the first black man to hit #1 in the UK when "Mary's Boy Child" tops the chart. The single stays at #1 for seven weeks and becomes a Christmas favorite.

October 15, 1957 Elvis Presley's first Christmas album, titled Elvis' Christmas Album, is released. It goes on to become the best-selling holiday album of all time by a wide margin.

September 5, 1957 Elvis Presley records "Treat Me Nice" and "Blue Christmas."

November 16, 1954 Perry Como records "(There's No Place Like) Home For The Holidays."

July 15, 1952 13-year-old Jimmy Boyd records "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus."

November 13, 1935 Bing Crosby records "Silent Night."