Humbug Hitmakers: Recording Stars (1950-2000) who never made a Christmas Record
(taken from my blog at: https://www.afiendishthingy.com/blog/Entries/2020/12/hitmaking-humbugs-recording-stars-1950-2000-who-never-made-a-christmas-record.html )
I collect Christmas records. I have in my collection, hundereds of discs, containing Christmas recordings by probably over a thousand artists. In my years of collecting, it struck me that, despite the ubiquity of pop star Christmas recordings, there were a few stars who never succumbed to the commercial pull to put out a holiday song. Below is my list of hitmakers who never released a Christmas/Holiday song.
Criteria for inclusion:
To make this list, an artist/band had to have had multiple Top 20 hits, singles or LP (US pop/C&W/R&B charts) between 1950-2000, and have never issued a Christmas/Holiday record (generic winter-themed songs that have become holiday standards, such as “Winter Wonderland” count). The Christmas recording could be released any year (hence, Dylan is not on this list). I included that criteria because many artists release Christmas recordings in the waning years of their careers. Limited edition/fan club releases OK (hence, the Beatles are not on the list).
The Humbug Hitmakers List:
Patsy Cline- Patsy did do a couple of duets of “Winter Wonderland” and “Let It Snow” for a TV show in 1959-60
Hank Williams- no, the depressing “First Fall of Snow” doesn’t count.
The Dave Clark Five
The Hollies- they did sing “Winter Wonderland” on the Ready Steady Go TV program in 1966
Led Zeppelin
The Yardbirds- although original member Eric Clapton has released a Christmas LP
The GO-GO’s- although Belinda Carlisle did make a Christmas record
Muddy Waters
The Byrds
Buffalo Springfield
Sam & Dave
Carl Perkins
Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young- although Neil Young has guested on some Christmas recordings by friends.
Pink Floyd- they did do an original Christmas song as a one off for a BBC radio show.
Buddy Holly- had his career not been tragically cut short, I’m sure he would have recorded a Christmas song, probably an original composition.
I'm sure I have missed a few Humbugs; feel free to add your own Humbugs below.
= new reply since forum marked as read
