Awesome! Who are the actual singers?

Raphael, that would be Santa (lead) and the Reindeer (backup).

I keed, I keed! It's actually Clyde McPhatter (Santa) and The Drifters (reindeer).

Doug

Thanks! I will try to find a CD with this on it! Or maybe a download from iTunes?

Shaboom, shaboom, Doug. Very cute.

BTW Doug, I really like this seasonal masthead on your site. Very nice!

Shuwada wa, shuwada wa... Love the Drifters. A real treat, Doug.

We certainly remember doo wop in the 50's and early 60's. And we remember Clyde McPhatter and The Drifters. Oh, the memories!

Thanks for this nostalgic walk down Memory Lane and for doing so much to keep us in the holiday spirit.

actually, the santa part is sung by bill pinckney

You may be right, ronnie. I recall McPhatter's voice being much higher and I believe Pinckney sang bass. I tried to find some wiki but McPhatter seems to get the credit for the '54 recording everywhere I looked (The Drifters were originally formed to showcase him - that may be why.) Anyway, if you can provide a source, I'd sure appreciate it.

Doug

I think he might be right. If you listen to Clyde McPhatter songs, he sounds much higher. Maybe he's the reindeer soloist?

Well, turns out Ronnie is right. "Santa" was actually the voice of Bill Pinckney. The song was recorded after Clyde McPhatter had left the group in 1954 by the remaining singers who were then known as simply "The Drifters."

http://www.answers.com/topic/bill-pinkney-rhythm-blues-artist?cat=entertainment

The confusion is probably the result of "White Christmas" being included, along with a few lead by McPhatter, on a 1956 album titled "Clyde McPhatter and the Drifters" a couple years after the split. The songs on that album are incorrectly assumed by many to all be fronted by McPhatter.

Thanks Ronnie for pointing out the error.

Doug

Well I sure feel better now that we have resolved this issue.

Rest in peace, Bill Pinckney.

A stroll down memory lane all right. Except for Bing Crosby's version, this is the best!

This was originally sent to me by my oldest and dearest friend (we were Cub Scouts together over 40 years ago). My kids love it. Thanks!