Santa Claus Is Coming Into Town (BBC1/2 1976-1998)

Before 1976, it was normal practice for the BBC to play all their normal trade test tapes throughout the year. Well, the policy had changed by Christmas 1976 and so it was decided that if both channels could adopt having special festive identification symbols for transmission over teh festive period, then why not go the whole hog and accompany the test card with festive music as well? Well, for the next 20 years or so, the very first tape actually served us well on both channels with Santa Claus Is Coming Into Town by The Falconaires, and including tracks by The Young things, Rosemary Clooney, Troy Cory and the Norad Commanders amongst other wekk-known artists who had contributed to this and the consecutive tapes. Enjoy listening here to the first six tracks!!!!

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• BBC
• testcard
• music

[JFredUK]

I liked the electornic instrumentals from this tape the best. There the ones I remember taping during the Christmas period of 1982.

[MikeTeaveeJr]

Can you imagine Manheim Steamroller, the TSo and/or Mariah Carey in the background today? I certainly can.

[MrBrownberry]

the first track is available on a US Air force radio station LP, played by the Airforce Academy Falconaires, the other big band tracks are played by the Norad Commanders Orchestra published in....1964!!! Very 70s sounding I always thought, I have the LP

[peticsek28]

This did very well, it is hard to imagine for it to have lasted us for over 20 years! I loved many of the instrumental tracks on this one, very festive indeed, but could not take to some of the over-the-top vocal offerings, especially the one which begins at 10:38!