Christmas

Emerging in 1969 from Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, the progressive and hard rock ensemble Christmas assembled from the remnants of the dissolved band Reign Ghost. Guitarist-vocalist Bob Bryden, singer Lynda Squire, and drummer Helge "Rich" Richter had each participated in the earlier group. Lineup flux soon followed when Squire exited to pursue alternate professional paths, leading to the recruitment of vocalist-guitarist Robert Bulger and bassist Tyler Reizanne. The collective completed two albums in 1970, Christmas and Heritage, and also put out several singles such as "Don't Give It Away," "I'm a Song," "Farewell Sweet Love," and "Point Blank."

Persistent lack of momentum into 1971 prompted Bulger's departure, after which vocalist Preston Wynn joined the roster. A year-long break preceded the band's return under the expanded name the Spirit of Christmas, yet none of these developments produced widespread recognition and the group disbanded in 1975. Individual members subsequently joined other acts including Benzene, Age of Mirrors, Buzzsaw, the Forgotten Rebels, and Threshold. During the 1990s three previously recorded albums—Heritage, Lies to Live By, and Live at Massey Hall—were re-released.