As we put away our Christmas decorations -- and memories of 2021 -- lets listen one more time to a handful of Holiday Hits from the stars who died this past year.
[13 Dec 2021] Joe Simon (85), a Grammy-winning R&B singer whose hits included “The Chokin’ Kind” and “Power of Love” died in his longtime hometown near Chicago. The news of his death right before Christmas is "The Chokin' Kind." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJX_MHeMm5g
[12 Dec 2021] Mexican singer Vicente Fernández Gómez (81) died in December after having been hospitalized for several months. Listen as he sings "Mi Noche Buena." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prXfTFT0raQ
[10 Dec 2021] Michael Nesmith (78) was a singer for The Monkees and songwriter for countless other bands. He passed away in November shortly after The Monkees’ final tour. Here are the Monkees with "The Christmas Song." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05rUSARpr4g
[4 Dec 2021] Country music legend Stonewall Jackson (89) died of vascular dementia. He leaves behind hits like "Waterloo," "Life to Go," and "B.J. the D.J." Join Jackson for one more round of "Blue Christmas." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AB4hPRQdllI
[26 Nov 2021] Stephen Sondheim (91), American composer and lyricist for West Side Story, died at his home in Roxbury, CT. He was one of the giants of Broadway songwriting. Here is the Barrington Stage Company singing "A Very Sondheim Christmas." https://www.facebook.com/BarringtonStageCompany/videos/a-very-sondheim-christmas/1082695132155148/
[24 Aug 2021] Drummer Charlie Watts (80) helped the Rolling Stones become one of the greatest bands in rock 'n' roll. Here's the Stones with "Winter." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Z0FqSqmRac
[21 Aug 2021] Don Everly (84), American Hall of Fame singer for The Everly Brothers, died in August in Nashville. Here is Don & Phil Everly's version of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7vbKmsjmqo
[20 Aug 2021] Tom T. Hall (85), was a Hall of Fame singer/songwriter, famous for “Harper Valley PTA” and “The Year That Clayton Delaney Died.” "Christmas Is" Tom T. Hall. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTO7TqUih-8
[13 Aug 2021] Singer-songwriter Nanci Griffith (68) has passed away. Her biggest hits remain “Love at the Five and Dime” and “Lone Star State of Mind.” Check out the Chieftains and Nanci with "The Wexford Carol." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64qdYLzqIY4
[28 Jul 2021] Dusty Hill (72), bassist for ZZ Top, that little old band from Texas, passed away last summer at his home in Houston. Tuck yourself into your "Sleeping Bag" for this Christmas light show. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4t6FeKZED4
[29 May 2021] B.J. Thomas (78) was the curly-haired crooner who climbed the music charts in the 60s and ’70s. He recorded richly orchestrated, irresistibly catchy pop songs such as “Hooked on a Feeling” and “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head.” Listen one more time to "Tennessee Christmas." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPBQ0AVkqhc
[6 May 2021] Pervis Staples (85) was a co-founding member of the legendary gospel group the Staple Singers. Here is Pervis and his family wondering "Who Took the Merry Out of Christmas." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4rB5SdX0-o
[2 May 2021] Lloyd Price (88) soared to the top of the R&B charts with “Lawdy Miss Clawdy,” “Personality,” and “Stagger Lee.” He died of diabetes in New Orleans. Listen to his Liberty Recording of "Merry Christmas Momma." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzooOIskFuM
[2 Mar 2021] Bunny Wailer (73) was the Jamaican reggae singer for Bob Marley and the Wailers. "Christmas is Here" in this song from the early Wailers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bE-OwTwmu1Y
[8 Feb 2021] Mary Wilson (76) brought the Motown Sound from Detroit to America with The Supremes. Give a listen to "My Christmas Tree." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZNnKNGvPVs
[18 Jan 2021] Jimmie Rodgers (87) scored a #1 pop hit with “Honeycomb” and went on to earn another four Top 10 pop singles. Here is a lush arrangement of "It's Christmas Once Again." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK_DCVkSdJI
[16 Jan 2021] Phil Spector (81) gained fame as one of the most influential and successful record producers in rock ’n’ roll. His "Wall of Sound" generated a string of hits in the early 60s with a lavish instrumental treatment. He gained fame again after he was sentenced to prison for the murder of a woman at his home. You may remember Phil Spector and The Ronettes' version of "Sleigh Ride." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXlsWB1UMcE
[3 Jan 2021] Gerry Marsden (78), singer of the Liverpool band Gerry And The Pacemakers, died from an infection in his heart -- a fitting end for the man famous for "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying" and "Ferry Cross the Mersey." Let's close out this Christmas record with Gerry & the Pacemakers' "Mary's Boy Child." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNrr_T0zx1c