Imagine being fired for simply playing a song. Sounds crazy, right? But that's precisely what happened on December 2nd, 1957! A radio DJ lost his job for daring to spin Elvis Presley's rendition of the Christmas classic, "White Christmas."
The DJ in question was Al Priddy, working at KEX radio in Portland, Oregon. The song? Elvis Presley's version of Irving Berlin's timeless "White Christmas." But here's where it gets controversial...
"White Christmas" was already a massively popular song. Bing Crosby first performed it on Christmas Day in 1941 on his NBC radio show, The Kraft Music Hall. It became an instant hit, arguably the first truly successful secular Christmas song. Crosby's version remains one of the best-selling singles of all time, a testament to its enduring appeal. Countless artists have since covered the song, each adding their own unique flavor to this nostalgic holiday favorite.
Then came Elvis. In October 1957, he released "Elvis' Christmas Album," featuring his take on several holiday staples, including, you guessed it, "White Christmas." While many fans loved Elvis's rock-and-roll energy injected into the classic tune, it didn't sit well with everyone. Elvis was already a divisive figure. Some believed he, and rock and roll in general, were corrupting the values of Western society. And this is the part most people miss...
According to The Notorious Meddler, Elvis didn't necessarily draw inspiration from Bing Crosby's smooth crooning. Instead, he was more influenced by The Drifters, who transformed "White Christmas" into an R&B hit back in 1954 and 1955. However, because of the racial segregation prevalent in the music industry at the time, The Drifters' version didn't spark the same level of controversy because it primarily aired on stations catering to Black audiences, known then as stations that played "race records."
But the biggest detractor of Elvis's version? None other than Irving Berlin himself, the songwriter! He reportedly called Elvis's rendition a "profane parody" and instructed his staff to contact radio stations, demanding they ban the song from the airwaves. Talk about strong feelings!
So, when Al Priddy played Elvis's "White Christmas" on KEX, station management was not pleased. They claimed the song was "not in the spirit we associate with Christmas" and that Presley's cover "desecrates the spirit of Christmas and transgresses the composer's intent." Ouch!
The firing made national news, sparking a wave of public outrage. Letters flooded the station, overwhelmingly criticizing the management's decision. The result? Two weeks later, Al Priddy was back on the air. A victory for Elvis fans, perhaps, or a sign of changing times?
This incident raises some interesting questions. Was the firing justified, or was it an overreaction fueled by prejudice against rock and roll? Was Irving Berlin right to defend his song so fiercely, or should he have embraced Elvis's interpretation? And what does this all say about the evolving definition of tradition and the power of music to ignite controversy? What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
