"A VERY SPECIAL CHRISTMAS"

THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS

CHRISTMAS ALBUM

1987 12" VINYL LP

A&M RECORDS #SP-3911

ORIGINAL FIRST PRESSING

PRODUCED TO BENEFIT THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS

FABULOUS EMBOSSED KEITH HARING ORIGINAL GOLD-ON-RED COVER ART

PLUS INNER SLEEVES & RECORD LABELS HE DID EXCLUSIVELY FOR THIS RECORD ALBUM!

FEATURES THE ORIGINAL LIVE VERSION OF BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN &

 THE E STREET BAND'S "MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY."

Keith Haring's untitled image of a mother and child was chosen by Eunice Kennedy Shriver

 in 1987 to appear on this - the first A Very Special Christmas album. 

The iconic Keith Haring image has become synonymous with 

the albums and the mission of Special Olympics.

Various Artists – A Very Special Christmas

(Released October 12, 1987)

Various Artist compilations are always a mixed bag – especially when talking about cover songs. 

A Very Special Christmas is a very special exception. Released in 1987 on A&M Records, 

it is the first in a series of Christmas compilation albums produced to benefit the Special Olympics.

Having raised millions of dollars, and certified Quadruple Platinum, this original vinyl lp

features songs performed by artists from a variety of genres such as 

The Pointer Sisters, Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Run D.M.C., Madonna and Stevie Nicks.

This, the first A Very Special Christmas (AVSC) album, with superstars such as 

Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, and U2, was lauded by The New York Times as 

featuring “the heaviest lineup of big-name rock talent to appear on any record 

since We Are the World.” Co-producers Bobby Sergeant Shriver, Vicki Iovine, 

and Paul Marshall (with Jimmy Iovine’s behind-the-scenes support) put out an

 album that everyone wanted to be on and everyone wanted to buy. 

Artists donated their time and talent, and producers and labels waived their fees. 

The result is that 100% of the proceeds of sales of AVSC albums comes

 directly back to Special Olympics, and is disbursed to programs in need,

 through the Christmas Record Trust Grant Program.

Bruce Springsteen released his recording of the song "Merry Christmas Baby"

 expressly for this album, A Very Special Christmas.

SONGS

SIDE ONE

THE POINTER SISTERS: "SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN"

EURYTHMICS: "WINTER WONDERLAND"

WHITNEY HOUSTON: "DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR"

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN AND THE E STREET BAND: "MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY"

THE PRETENDERS: "HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS"

JOHN COUGAR MELLENCAMP: "I SAW MOMMY KISSING SANTA CLAUS"

STING: "GABRIEL'S MESSAGE"

SIDE TWO

RUN-D.M.C.: "CHRISTMAS IN HOLLIS"

U2: "CHRISTMAS (BABY PLEASE COME HOME)"

MADONNA: "SANTA BABY"

BOB SEGER AND THE SILVER BULLET BAND: "THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY"

BRYAN ADAMS: "RUN RUDOLPH RUN"

BON JOVI: "BACK DOOR SANTA"

ALISON MOYET: "THE COVENTRY CAROL"

STEVIE NICKS: "SILENT NIGHT"

With cover art designed by Keith Haring, and featuring 

some of the top-selling artists of the ‘80s, 

this record is a Christmas must-have.

Album will be shipped in a protective record album mylar.