Jimmy Boyd, 70, a singer best known for recording the Christmas novelty hit “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” in 1952 when he was 13, died Saturday of cancer in Santa Monica, Calif.
Three weeks after it was released, the song was No. 1 on the Billboard charts, selling 2 million records in fewer than 10 weeks.
The Catholic Church condemned the song for implying even a tenuous link between sex and the religious holiday, and record stations in several markets banned it. The ban was lifted only after the 13-year-old Boyd appeared before church leaders to talk about the lyrics.
Boyd was born to a poor family in McComb, Miss., on Jan. 9, 1939. At 4, he started playing the guitar. While at a country-western dance in a barn, the 7-year-old was called on stage to sing with Texas Jim Lewis’ troupe. Boyd soon was appearing regularly with the band in shows that were broadcast on the radio.
After winning a local TV talent contest, Boyd appeared on “The Frank Sinatra Show” and was signed to a recording contract with Columbia. His recording career would last until 1967.
Hank Locklin, 91, a country singer whose smooth tenor voice on hits like “Send Me the Pillow You Dream On” and “Please Help Me I’m Falling” marked a career that spanned half a century, died Sunday at his home in Brewton, Ala., Grand Ole Opry publicist Jessie Schmidt said.
Locklin helped usher in “the Nashville Sound” that gave country music a more lush feel. He performed on the Grand Ole Opry for 47 years.
He recently released his 65th album, “By The Grace Of God.”
His “Send Me the Pillow You Dream On” was a hit in 1958 and “Please Help Me I’m Falling” in 1960.
