Classic Rockers' Favorite Christmas Songs

One of the most popular songs of the season is one of the favorites of classic rockers.

• Jimi Hendrix and the Band of Gypsies - from the 1969 EP Merry Christmas And Happy New Year
• Steve Lukather - from Santamental
• The Ventures - from Christmas Joy
• Joe Satriani - from Merry Axemas
• Elvin Bishop - from A Rock 'N' Roll Christmas
• Keith Emerson - from A Classic Rock Christmas
• Jorma Kaukonen - from Christmas
• Chicago - from Chicago Christmas: What's It Gonna Be Santa

It just wouldn't be Christmas, classic rock or otherwise, without a laugh-filled dash through the snow.

• Brian Setzer Orchestra - from Christmas Rocks: The Best-Of Collection
• Canned Heat - from Christmas Album
• Booker T. & The MGs - from In The Christmas Spirit
• Steve Lukather - from Santamental
• The Ventures - from Christmas Joy

This traditional song is a particular favorite of artists from various genres.

• Jethro Tull - from The Jethro Tull Christmas Album
• Blackmore's Night - from Winter Carols
• The Ventures - from Christmas Joy
• Beach Boys - from Christmas With The Beach Boys
• Booker T. And The MGs - from In The Christmas Spirit

Chestnuts roasting, Jack Frost nipping ... yeah, that one. ASCAP says it's the most performed holiday song.

• Chicago - from Chicago Christmas: What's It Gonna Be Santa
• Steve Lukather - from Merry Axemas, Vol. 2 - More Guitars For Christmas
• Booker T. & The MGs - from In The Christmas Spirit
• The Ventures - from Christmas Joy

This upbeat holiday tune lends itself well to a variety of classic rock sub-genres.

• Steve Morse - from Southern Rock Christmas
• The Ventures - from Christmas Joy
• Steve Lukather - from Santamental

It's one of the most often heard traditional carols, and it gets some interesting treatment from these artists.

•  
• Richie Sambora - from Merry Axemas - A Guitar Christmas
• Blackmore's Night - from Winter Carols
• Brian Setzer Orchestra - from Boogie Woogie Christmas
• .38 Special - from A Wild-Eyed Christmas Night

You're not likely to hear arrangements like these in stores or on the radio.

• Jimi Hendrix - from Merry Christmas And Happy New Year
• Alex Lifeson - from Merry Axemas - A Guitar Christmas
• .38 Special - from A Wild-Eyed Christmas Night
• Chicago - from Chicago Christmas: What's It Gonna Be Santa
• Elvin Bishop - from The Alligator Records Christmas Collection

Something about the sentiment makes this a popular pick for rockers.

• Edgar Winter - from Harlem Nocturne
• Pat Benatar - from Synchronistic Wanderings
• Eagles - from Selected Works 1972-1999

Good King Wenceslas would probably approve of these arrangements.

• Blackmore's Night - from Winter Carols
• Chicago - from Chicago Christmas: What's It Going To Be Santa
• Jethro Tull - from The Jethro Tull Christmas Album
• .38 Special - from A Wild-Eyed Christmas Night

This classical-based favorite has captured the fancy of a diverse mix of classic rock artists.

• Lynyrd Skynyrd - from Christmas Time Again
• Jethro Tull - from The Jethro Tull Christmas Album
• Steve Lukather - from Santamental

In its own way, this John Lennon song has become something of a modern day traditional holiday tune.

• John & Yoko And The Plastic Ono Band - from Lennon Legend
• Moody Blues - from December
• Tommy Shaw, Steve Lukather, Marco Mendoza, Kenny Aronoff - from We Wish You A Metal Xmas...And A Headbanging New Year
• Jimmy Buffett - from Christmas Island
• Carly Simon - from Christmas Is Almost Here