The Heartwarming Story of Vince Guaraldi’s Music and Its Role in the 60th Anniversary of A Charlie Brown Christmas

Vince Guaraldi (left); A scene from ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ (right).
Credit :

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty; LEE MENDELSON FILM PRODUCTIONS/Album/Alamy

NEED TO KNOW

• Jason Mendelson, son of Peanuts producer Lee Mendelson, discusses the legacy of A Charlie Brown Christmas and its soundtrack
• The special’s timeless music was created by jazz musician Vince Guaraldi
• Mendelson explains why the iconic special and its music continue to resonate today

Vince Guaraldi’s soundtrack for A Charlie Brown Christmas may be one of the most recognized jazz albums in America, celebrating its 60th anniversary since first airing in December 1965.

Jason Mendelson, the son of Lee Mendelson—who produced several Peanuts specials, including A Charlie Brown Christmas—revealed that although the beloved holiday special was the first Peanuts film to be broadcast, it was not the initial animated work featuring Charlie Brown.

“Charles Schulz, Bill Melendez the animator and director, Lee Mendelson, and Vince Guaraldi created a documentary titled A Boy Named Charlie Brown in 1964, which shares a name with the Oscar-nominated feature film, but the two are not the same,” Jason clarified. The documentary, however, was never released.

Charlie Brown and Linus in ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’.

Allstar Picture Library Ltd / Alamy

Lee Mendelson, who passed away on Christmas Day in 2019 at the age of 86, received a call from CBS not to acquire the documentary but to develop a new Christmas special.

“My father’s response to CBS was, ‘Of course,’” Jason noted. He then contacted Schulz, who was affectionately known as Sparky. “Sparky asked Lee if the documentary had been sold. My father replied, ‘No, but I sold Charlie Brown Christmas.’ Sparky inquired, ‘What’s that?’ and my father responded, ‘Something you and Bill and I have to write this weekend.’”

Jason believes that A Charlie Brown Christmas has maintained its relevance over the past 60 years because it perfectly embodies Schulz’s philosophy, Melendez’s straightforward animation style, and his father’s resourcefulness in putting it together quickly. “It was all done on a shoestring in a few months,” he remarked.

‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ collectible vinyls.

Craft Recordings

“And then there’s the music of Vince Guaraldi, which has become synonymous with the holiday,” he added. Craft Recordings has announced a release of collectible vinyl reprints of the A Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack for the season. Additionally, this year marks the 75th anniversary of the first Peanuts comic strip, which debuted in 1950.

Jason attributes part of the enduring appeal of Guaraldi’s music to its distinctiveness. “It was different from everything else at that time and continues to be widely recognized today,” he said. “It’s instrumental jazz that has permeated society and the world.”

The cast of ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’.

Alamy

During the production of A Boy Named Charlie Brown, Lee Mendelson reached out to Guaraldi to compose the film score. “Vince eagerly accepted, as he loved Peanuts and immediately understood the sound that suited those characters and the little vignettes from the documentary,” Jason recalled. “Ironically, the only thing that emerged from that project was his album, which was a massive success.”

When it was time to create the Christmas special, Guaraldi was brought on board once again. “He instinctively knew what worked for all those scenes,” Jason said. He believes the special’s allure lies in the collaborators’ time constraints, which fostered a mutual trust. “They all worked together until the day they died,” he noted, reflecting that Guaraldi passed away in 1976 at the age of 47.

Born in 1978, Jason became part of the family business at a young age. “One of my earliest memories is recording the voices for Peanuts with my dad. I thought, ‘This is really weird, but it’s what my dad wants me to do,’” he recounted. He voiced characters including Rerun Van Pelt and Peppermint Patty, but it wasn’t until his preteens that he recognized the significance of being part of such a beloved American legacy.

Now an adult, Jason has produced numerous Peanuts specials. He and his brother Sean work to honor their father’s legacy. “I feel incredibly fortunate to continue working on and celebrating this art form for now 60 years,” he stated.

Reflecting on the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas, Jason remarked, “It evokes feelings of nostalgia and childhood while remaining completely timeless. It’s intended for children, yet it resonates with everyone.”