The “Golden Hits Of The 50s”
Main MenuConcept Refinement The Author..Wayne JancikGolden Age Of The 50sGolden Age Of The 60s1970s and There After
BARRY GORDON
“NUTTIN’ FOR CHRISTMAS”
(Sid Tepper, Roy C. Bennett)
MGM 12092
No. 6 December 31, 1955
,,..
Barry Gordon was born in Brookline, Massachusetts, on December 21, 1948. At the age of three, he
made his TV debut on Ted Mack’s “Original Amateur Hour.” In the ’50s, he appeared on “The Jackie
Gleason Show” and on Benny Goodman and Francis Langford’s musical variety program, “Star
Time.” When the need arose at MGM Records to find a kid to sing the new Tepper & Bennett
Christmas tune, seven-year-old Barry was chosen. “Nuttin’ for Christmas” was rapidly covered by
JOE WARD, RICKY ZAHND, Stan Freberg, Homer & Jethro, and the Fontane Sisters, to name a few.
Barry’s platter would out chart them all, eventually selling more than two million copies.
.
Barry’s follow-up–“Rock Around Mother Goose” (#52, 1956)–would be his swan song from the music
listings. Gordon continued recording throughout his adolescence and young adult years. In 1968,
Barry even donned a Bob Dylan look and sang folk-rock songs for the Dunhill label.
.
Nuttin’ for Christmas” opened a lot of doors for Barry. During the ’50s and ’60s, he appeared on “The
Jack Benny Show,” “The Danny Thomas Show,” and “Alfred Hitchcock Presents.” He appeared as the
“newspaper brat” in the famed Jayne Mansfield ‘n’ JULIE LONDON rock’n’roll flick The Girl Can’t
Help It (1956), won a Tony nomination for his role in the show A Thousand Clowns (1963) with Sandy
Dennis and Jason Robards, also appearing in the movie. Gordon played an ad agency salesman on
“The Don Rickles Show” (1972), a soap opera writer on “The New Dick Van Dyke Show” (1973-74),
and a social worker on “Fish” (1977-78). When last spotted, Gordon was Archie’s accountant on
“Archie Bunker’s Place” (1981-83).