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This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

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The Kinks "Father Christmas"

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

The other day on VH-1 Classic they played this whole 1977 Kinks concert and we wondered "do children really know how good they have it?"

When LAist were little kids we heard this song and thought it was the greatest thing ever. So Anti-Christmas while having the spirit of the season at its heart. But back then we had to wait for it to get played on Dr. Demento or somewhere random and only if we were lucky would we be able to record it properly on on boom boxes. But when we got it, we played it all Christmas.

It was a real rock Christmas song.

Later more Christmas songs by rock stars came out, but few were as snipey and original and as ballsy as "Father Christmas", which is why we share it with you this morning.

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

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Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

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