Every year, a sleigh-full of Christmas music gets released. Cher and the Cowsills came to prominence in the '60s, but they still possess the distinctive sounds that brought them their initial success.

Bill Cowsill suffered from emphysema, Cushing syndrome and osteoporosis but continued to write and play music. He lived in Calgary, Alberta, and died Feb. 18, 2006, at his home. His family members ...