Back in 1987, a charity album was released titled A Very Special Christmas. The album featured renditions of Christmas classics by some of the biggest names in music at that time and the proceeds went to Special Olympics. The album was the brainchild of music producer Jimmy Iovine, who wanted to produce a Christmas album as a memorial to his father. The idea of the record benefiting Special Olympics was suggested by Iovine's wife Vicki, as she was a volunteer for the organization. Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss, the founders of A&M Records, along with Bobby Shriver, helped the Iovines make the project a reality. Since the release of the first album in 1987, the series has raised over $100 million for Special Olympics, more than any other benefit series.

Selling over a million copies in its first year, that 1987 premiere album, A Very Special Christmas set a precedent for the following albums (the seventh in the series was just released this year 2009). According to the Special Olympics website, "the album series has become the largest financial source in Special Olympics' history, enabling the organization to respond with hope in areas around the world where people with intellectual disabilities are still perceived as less than worthy, less than capable, even less than human. These Christmas albums/CDs have given Special Olympics the power to forever change lives. They make possible another kind of music: the rousing cheers of proud parents and friends, where once there was only the stifling silence of ignorance and fear."

That first A Very Special Christmas album contained several outstanding performances. Many of the songs never had actual music videos made for them. A couple of my favorites include "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by the Pretenders, "Winter Wonderland" by the Eurythmics and "Do You Hear What I Hear?" by Whitney Houston. There are a couple other favorites which do happen to have music videos, so I am going to share those with you now. This week's first Flashback Video is "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" by U2...

I included another song from this album as an honorable mention on my Top Run-DMC Songs of the 80s list which was part of my special Run-DMC issue after they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame earlier this year. Who would have thought that a Christmas rap song would have caught on like it did? This week's second Flashback Video is "Christmas in Hollis" by Run-DMC...

The cover art for this album and the subsequent albums in the series were all done by artist Keith Haring. Here is a complete list of all the tracks on A Very Special Christmas:
1. "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" - The Pointer Sisters
2. "Winter Wonderland" - Eurythmics
3. "Do You Hear What I Hear?" - Whitney Houston
4. "Merry Christmas Baby" - Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band
5. "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" - The Pretenders
6. "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" - John Cougar Mellencamp
7. "Gabriel's Message" - Sting
8. "Christmas in Hollis" - Run-D.M.C.
9. "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" - U2
10. "Santa Baby" - Madonna
11. "The Little Drummer Boy" - Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
12. "Run Rudolph Run" - Bryan Adams
13. "Back Door Santa" - Bon Jovi (was replaced on later pressings with "I Wish Every Day Could Be Like Christmas" also by Bon Jovi)
14. "The Coventry Carol" - Alison Moyet
15. "Silent Night" - Stevie Nicks

This album not only created some outstanding versions of some great Christmas classics, but it raised lots of much-needed support for a charitable organization. It exemplifies the spirit of the season, creating joy through music and helping those less fortunate. And to think, it all started back in the great decade of the 80s!

I want to take a moment to wish you and yours the happiest of Christmases. May we have peace on earth and true goodwill to all.

That's all for this final holiday issue of Kickin' it Old School. Thanks as always for reading. If you are interested in reading any of my other 80s related issues, please click there for a summary of those. If you want to see the past issues of Flashback Videos, just type that into the Google Search Box at the top of the right hand column and it should give you a list of all of them. You can also always click on the Archives in the upper left hand column or use the Google Search Box at the top of the right hand column to find any other issues you may have missed. If you are a fan of Kickin' it, PLEASE CLICK ON THE FACEBOOK LOGO in the upper right hand column. This will take you to the Fan Page where I ask you to then click on "Become a Fan". Even if you are not a Facebook member yet, please consider joining and registering as a fan at that page. You can also follow Old School on Twitter by clicking on the FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER LOGO also in the upper right hand column. This will take you the page and you can just click on the box that says "Follow". I am sending daily 80s tweets, so sign up to get those. Let other 80s fans know about it as well! Peace and much love.

Check this out: If you are a regular reader, you know my fascination with humorous or ironic signs. I came across this street sign which was slightly altered and it seemed fitting to share it at this time of year. Watch out for Rudolph crossing...

I also wanted to share a holiday light display which I'm sure meant well, but just missed the mark. Let there be PEASE on earth. Tip for all of you out there, before you put any words in lights up on your house just double check to make sure you spell them correctly...

Quote of the day: "Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas... perhaps... means a little bit more." -Dr. Seuss from How The Grinch Stole Christmas

Bonus quote of the day: "What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace." -Agnes M. Pahro