The only one that I thought that was left out that Mr Welk so very proud of was mother Welk as he introduced her on all the Christmas shows Fern Renner she passed away February 13th 2002
I remember the Lawrence Well show. Their music was really good. I also remember seeing the bubbles floating across the background on TV. Thank for the tribute to Lawrence and the musicians who performed with him.
I'm from Birmingham, too.👋 Mother, little brother and I were home most Sat. nights. HeeHaw, Lawrence Welk, Love Boat and Fantasy Island were on then, if I remember correctly. I especially loved the Thanksgiving and Christmas shows. Why didn't I see that it was some of the best times of my life?
@@georgiapines7906 yes I watched all those shows too. As a little girl I always wondered if I would be able to go on cruises like the rich people I saw on the Love Boat. Well I’m not rich but I’ve been on about 15 cruises. I still remember the songs from all the shows especially Hee Haw.
My maternal grandparents and mother and I watched Lawrence Welk during the 1970s. Brings back wonderful memories of my childhood. My father was gone, and that was wonderful in and of itself.
I, with my parents, attended a Welk Concert in Ft. Wayne, Indiana when I was around 12 years old. I'm 73 now. I was able to get Jerry Burke's autograph as he was one of the musicians that inspired me to play the organ. I have played for Silent Films on a Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ. Playing the theatre organ is FUN! May these wonderful people, who brought us great memories, R.I.P.
@@royst.george7328 - Thanks! My 653 is down for maintenance, broken pedal cable assembly. Thinking about converting it into VTPO and adding a few 'toys' 🙂
You took the words right out of my mouth. When it comes to entertainers (or athletes)- I go by the old saying -"Quit comparing and appreciate greatness."
My mother faithfully watched the Lawrence Welk show weekly , amazing talent , music was outstanding . I watch the re- runs today , RIP to all that has passed, wonderful memories .
I was a big fan of Arthur Duncan. Arguably he kept tap dancing alive when he came on every week. He still showed amazing moves in the Challenge scene in the movie "TAP". RIP Arthur.
I hated it when I had to watch it with my grandfather as a kid. Now I wish I could have those days all over again. Reminds me of a time when Life was much less complicated and the entertainment was actually classy.
My grandfather watched it when ì wasn't born yet.My parents did too when I was a kid, I didn't like it. I still don't to this day, but of course they're long gone now.
Living in Santa Monica in 2006, I was fortunate to work as a 'temp' at the Lawrence Welk Music Company. I think I was there for about 4 months. Lawrence's personal secretary, Margaret, was still working there. She told me she was hired to answer fan mail right after high school, then got promoted to assist Mr. Welk. She was gracious to invite me to the Welk employee Christmas Luncheon!
I remember many of these performers from the 1960s (my teenage years). I was taking lessons on a Hammond organ and Jerry Burke was my idol! I watched Lawrence Welk every Saturday evening. I secretly hoped that the cameras would get a closeup of the drawbar settings Jerry used on the Hammond but that never happened. NOBODY else could make a Hammond organ sound so SWEET!
Same here. 70 now and watched this show every Saturday night at 7:30 with my mom. 85% of these faces are so familiar. I think a enjoy Big Band music because of this show. Wunnerful, Wunnerful.
Late mother, grandmother and father love listening the music. Now gone as well wonderful beautiful music but reruns live on. Don't forget what Louis Armstrong sing what wonderful world as l listening still today beautiful music that will not forget. Next Tuesday my mom died February 27 18 years ago on her father birthday image that. I hope there better life other side heaven fill with joy.
It went off the air over 40 years ago after all. But the recordings and video tape still entertains. So many band member got to keep working. And, i understand, Welk performers got paid a pension for life. Wow, even Tom Netherton is gone.
Yes I think one of the stations ABC canceled them. Welk found I believe a sponsor and continued before prime time. But not without a contract for the whole Welk show. He said on the Johnny Carson show, I had to lookout for the whole family.
At the local care center across the street you will hear the Lawrence Welk Show reruns up and down the halls every Saturday night on the Iowa PBS tv network. I also remember the first LW show in 1956. A wonderful tribute to those who passed.Thank you.
I'm 60 and used to watch The Lawrence Welk Show with my paternal Grandparents. I kept on watching it until it went off the air in 1992? Then I started watching it on PBS. I just saw Aladdin on My Three Sons last week. He was a Violinist in an Italian Restaurant Steve and Barbara began visiting. He played the Violin at their wedding.
I became an organist because of watching and listening to Jerry Burke and Bob Ralston. I miss Charlotte (AnderCello) Harris, and Arthur Duncan. They were truly talented, and paved the way for others. WUNNERFUL, WUNNERFUL update!
Yes indeed, brought back memories. You did a very nice job. We need more programs like this back on commercial tv instead of the crap the networks are passing off as entertainment.
This show was the best show on Saturday night and I loved to watch it with my grandparents. My grandpa loved to dance with me sister & I when they played the Polka music, such good memories. 😮
When I was taking care of my mom during her last years I read books aloud to her and we read as many autobiographies of Lawrence Welk cast members that we could find. Jack Imel, Tom Netherton, Myron Floren, Bobby Burgess, and of course all the Lawrence Welks books. Wonderful memories!
Some of the greatest musicians of their time! I know that many of them were quite capable of playing in more swinging bands but having a steady job and paycheck is very appealing in the music business. Take it from one who knows, i was in the business for over 40 yrs and believe me it's not easy. One day you eat steak and the next day you eat beans, you get the idea. The beautiful part here is that all these great talented people have been immortalized on these old TV shows forever! I'm sure at the time they never would believe people would be watching re runs decades later! It's great music and it stood the test of time because it's quality and it makes sense musically.
The LW show was a great way to learn all the music in the Great American Songbook. LW was so smart to present music from all genres and eras- really enhanced my musical knowledge base and I’m an old hippie! I was able to attend the taping of the NYE show for 1977- had to wait a year to get the tickets but it was so much fun to see the show and performers up close. Thank You for this memoriam and to all the artists.
The first time I watched it was with an elderly woman that I did private duty care for, when I was 18 years old. Her name was Mrs Barry and I would bring her her favorite cookies,Lorna Doone. Her family decided, instead of private care, she would go into a home. I remember her crying. I also watched it with my Gram (grandma) and (her brother) my Great Uncle Joe until she passed away at 92 in 2015. Now I watch it with my Great Uncle Joe, who will be 90 in July. I actually enjoy a lot of the music, like Henry Cuesta. I miss my Gram and Mrs Barry. I hope they know. ❤
@KerryCrouch . Thank you . Glad you enjoyed it. Love the Lawrence Welk show. I started watching it in the 1970s . Being a big country music fan . I've always enjoyed the country singers featured on the show . The late great Larry Hooper from Missouri, The late Lynn Anderson, The Otwell Twins and Aldrich Sisters from Texas and Tennessee. Ava Barber from Tennessee, The late Clay Hart from Tennessee, Guy and Ralna from Mississippi and Texas . And Jim Turner from Tennessee. Yes I'm from Northern Alabama as well " Huntsville " .
I did get to see Guy and Ralna in concert back in 2005 . They put on a great show . I'm not sure if they are still performing both are pushing 80 years old now.
Oh wow! I'm in Athens, just the next county over! I haven't had the chance to meet the musical family. I do keep up to date with news on Facebook and I do enjoy meeting more fans. I always get comments on how young I am for being a fan. I mostly credit my mom for that.
My father knew many of these folks. He was in the music business. Yes of course we watched the show when we got a TV. I can recall not having a TV. Seeing these folks gone just reminds me that we are mortal. Make good use of the time.
😢 sympathy greetings from coastal Mississippi. I watched Lawrence Welk from 1970 to series finale. Ever Saturday with my granny and papa. I even got to met a variety of cast members over the years. My all time favourite episode is 1972 season premiere Hawaii on location. Thank you for your excellent research. And as Lawrence Welk always said "Champagne wishes" ❤😂🎉
@@madelinehayes-jk9xl update on Sally Flynn. She has been married to Clay Hart for 50 years. Both are living in Florida. They are a wonderful couple. Met them years ago
@@madelinehayes-jk9xl yes they were my favourite....at least we have past episodes of them. Have a blessed Lawrence Welk day. You are welcome to come to Mississippi at anytime 🐻🤠
Greetings from Atlanta: I was born in '49. I still remember the first episode in '56. During the first couple of years the orch. sounded a lot like it did during the big band era. But it slowly changed as Welk wanted to get younger viewers to watch. The Lennon Sisters and other vocalists and acts became more and more important while the band instrumentals were becomming rare. Even the "Champagne Lady" became much less important. Commercially he was very successful but musically, after say 1960, not so much.
Agreed. Watching the kinescopes from the 50s are a revelation. In addition to the higher level of musical talent that then existed in the Welk orchestra (Pete Fountain, Big Tiny Little, Rocky Rockwell, etc.), the shows seemed to have more energy and humor. Much of the pizzazz was lost when Alice Lon (a much underappreciated singer) left around 1960 and soon thereafter many of the numbers were no longer performed live but were prerecorded.
AH, what Saturday Night Memories. You HAD to Watch Lawrence Welk in MY Household growing up in the Early Sixties! Also helped that We had an Uncle with a Color Television. Sorry that they are NO longer on PBS. Glad to see them on You tube. Personal Story. As a Disney Fan, I learned about 2010 that Norma Zimmer had Disney Connections. After Her Demise found out that to be true. Watching the Classic "Alice in Wonderland" Film I noticed that in the "Garden of Live Flowers" Sequence there is a White Rose with a Spider Web over Her. Found out in Norma's Obituary that it WAS Norma that did the Rose's Voice!!!!! AH-HA, makes since now.
I use to watch the LW show with my grandmother through the 70’s up to 81. I still enjoy his big band sound today. This was and still is a classic and great TV show of a bygone era. Today, we have pretty much garbage. I miss those days. I still believe (as I type this) Bob Ralston is still living and several of the female singers.
My parents used to watch this every week until the final episode. it was never my cup of tea, and as a kid the show seemed to go on forever, but in retrospect it was a wholesome show that parents could watch in front of their kids and it was 100 times better than a lot of the garbage on tv these days.It was also good to give a music education to young children as they learned some of the classic songs from the great american songbook and they learned about a band, its instruments, how it works and what it was that Mr Welk did every time we saw him waving his baton. To this day i still remember the closing song for every episode "good night, good night until we meet again...."as they danced while closing credits scrolled on the screen.
Great show, great memories. I'm 75 years old and remember the show well. He always had the best musicians and had great variety in musical styles. There was something for everyone. My favorite was Larry Hooper. I was amazed how low his voice was when he sang. I'm glad the shows are preserved and played often for other generations to enjoy.
I sure really truly honestly am curious about how many people have passed away, I sure really truly honestly don't mean it in an offensive way towards anyone. I sure really truly honestly did watch with my aunt before she passed away from diabetes. I sure really truly honestly did love the program.
Thank you for the research you have done to provide all of this information. I was sad to realize more have passed away than I realized. The cast was one of the best with memories to cherish forever.
I had to watch this growing up. We had only one tv, and it was always on. My parents watched LW. I thought it was the most boring show in the world; why did we have to watch it? Fast forward several decades. We were watching PBS and LW was on. What the heck, I'll watch it. I found it to be refreshing. Made me think life can be good.
@@RETROTV1394Add Richard Maloof 1940-2024 to the list as well. Beloved husband of Mary Lou Metzger, bass and tuba player. May he Rest In Peace for all eternity.
I don’t know if this is still the case, but for a long time, reruns of “The Lawrence Welk Show” was the number one show on the PBS channel in Fort Wayne, Indiana!
I remember watching Lawrence Welk with my Mom in the mid 70s, loved the Semonski Sisters. Other favorites were Anacani, Sandy, Gail & Mary Lou, and Guy and Ralna. Anyone know why Valerie Semonski passed? I realize she was in her 60s, but didn't find any details on how she passed.
TO ALL VIEWERS .. ATTENTION....Ron Anderson of the Larwence Welk show has also passed I am told . According to Wikipedia he is still living. But According to Ralna English Facebook/ Twitter .His wife and former Welk star Gail Farrell has informed her that he passed away recently. So R.I.P Ron Anderson ( 1945- 2024 )
I think there is 1 omission that just passed recently, Gail Farrell's husband Ron Anderson. Gail mentioned to Ralna that her husband passed away just this year
Great video. When I was a kid in the 60's, my mom was a regular Lawrence Welk watcher. I liked rock & rock , R&B, some country and jazz, but as I got older I gained a lot of respect for Lawrence Welk and his guests. Thanks for sharing this. What part of the great state of Alabama are you from ?
It just boggles my mind how great Lawrence Welk was, he employed and found all of these talented people along with everything else he built and the great organization he left for his family. What a musical and business genius, RIP Lawrence we miss you.
ATTENTION ATTENTION! There is another update to this list. Richard Maloof 1940-2024. Bass and Tuba player, and husband of Mary Lou Metzger. He passed on May 1, 2024. May he Rest In Peace for all eternity.
Lawrence Welk was the very first reality TV show. My grandparents knew everyone on the show, who was married, who had kids and who was divorced. I thought we were somehow related and the Lawrence Welk people were extended family.
