The show would often open by showing bubbles floating around and was accompanied by a sound effect of a bottle of champagne opening, including the opening theme (originally "Bubbles in the Wine", composed by Welk and Frank Loesser, later replaced with a derivative theme, "Champagne Time", and fanfare composed by George Cates). Each week, Welk would introduce the theme of the show, which usually inspired joyous singing and/or patriotic fervor.
What happened to the original the Lawrence Welk show?
Classic shows — largely, from 1967 to 1982 — were repackaged with new footage (either Welk or the show's cast introducing segments) for syndication during the 1982–1983 season as Memories with Lawrence Welk, after which they were withdrawn from distribution for a short time.
What kind of music did Lawrence Welk play?
Lawrence Welk. Lawrence Welk (March 11, 1903 – May 17, 1992) was an American musician, accordionist, bandleader, and television impresario, who hosted the television program The Lawrence Welk Show from 1951 to 1982. His style came to be known to his large audience of radio, television, and live-performance fans (and critics) as "champagne music".
When did the Lawrence Welk show change to monophonic?
Starting with the 1959–60 season the two shows were merged into The Lawrence Welk Show, reverting to monophonic broadcasts. During this early period, Chrysler also provided the show's announcers: Lou Crosby represented the Dodge shows, while James Narz represented Plymouth.
Who invented the first bubble machine?
In 1986 inventor Kalvin Klundt designed the first giant bubble maker with two long handles, named Dip Stix™. He was later granted two US patents on his design. It used two long rods to support and control the flexible bubble loop and a unique round cord with a double coil.
How much were Lawrence Welk performers paid?
Still others left the show over money disputes with Welk, who paid the minimum union scale to his cast. “We worked at group scale, which was $110 a week, for 10 years,” Kathy Lennon recalled. “After that he agreed to pay us solo scale, $210 a week. That's what we finished out at.
Were there any scandals on The Lawrence Welk Show?
The show's titular bandleader and accordionist oversaw the weekly musical offerings with a big smile — but behind the scenes, his show's cast endured scandals ranging from a crazed celebrity stalker to secret gay celebrity sex lives, and even cases of child molestation…
What was Lawrence Welk's catchphrase?
There was a catchphrase that Welk was famous for: “Wonderful, wunnerful!”. A wide range of music was played on the show, from polkas ah two, and ah…” The music on the show ranged from polka tunes to novelty songs to big band standards.
Why was Cissy fired?
Owing to her loyal fan base, King also generated a fan rebellion when she was fired by Lawrence Welk for what he claimed was her perpetual "tardiness." An avalanche of angry fan mail greeted Welk in the weeks following her dismissal and forced Bobby to dance with himself on the Show until he could find a new partner.
Was The Lawrence Welk Show lip synced?
For the entire run, musical numbers were divided fairly evenly between prerecorded lip- and finger-sync performances and those recorded live on film or tape.
Is the champagne lady still alive?
Norma Zimmer (July 13, 1923 – May 10, 2011) was an American vocalist, best remembered for her 22-year tenure as Lawrence Welk's "Champagne Lady" on The Lawrence Welk Show....Norma ZimmerDiedMay 10, 2011 (aged 87) Brea, California, U.S.Occupation(s)Vocalist4 more rows
Is Jo Ann Castle still married?
Castle married again in 1968 and had a son and a daughter. Castle left the Welk Show in 1969 and divorced in 1971. Her third marriage, in 1978, ended in 1986....Jo Ann CastleOccupation(s)PianistInstrumentsPiano, Accordion5 more rows
How many Champagne Ladies were on the Lawrence Welk?
She recently recalled the many stories she accumulated during the two years she was on the road with Welk, from 1947-49. Lawson was Champagne Lady No. 4, the fourth in a line of seven Champagne Ladies (featured vocalists who for decades served as the orchestra's signature piece).
Who said turn on the bubble machine?
Anyway, Lawrence Welk used to say…”Turn ON the bubble machine” and it would blow out tons of soap bubbles.
Was Lawrence Welk in black and white?
The Lawrence Welk Show is an American televised musical variety show hosted by big band leader Lawrence Welk....The Lawrence Welk ShowCountry of originUnited StatesNo. of episodes1,065 (black-and-white, 1951 to September 1965; in color from September 1965 onwards to 1982)12 more rows
Who were the female singers on The Lawrence Welk Show?
America first fell in love with The Lennon Sisters as the "girls next door." For 13 years on The Lawrence Welk Show, the Sisters (Dianne, Peggy, Kathy and Janet), charmed the nation with their sweet-voiced harmonies.
Why is Lawrence Welk so famous?
Welk had become famous for his "champ agne music," so-called because fans likened it to drinking champagne – light and bubbly. The Lawrence Welk Show Somebody Loves Me by Tina Greeley-Deichl on YouTube. Those bubbles were almost burst when Welk and his show were swept up in a series of mass cancellations that included series like "The Beverly ...
What was Lawrence Welk's band called?
CBS News. He would make a name for himself across the Upper Midwest leading a ten-piece band called the Hotsy-Totsy Boys, and in 1951 "The Lawrence Welk Show" began as a local program on KTLA in Los Angeles.
Who is the actor who parodied Welk?
On this week's episode of "Mobituaries," "Sunday Morning" correspondent Mo Rocca sits down with former "Saturday Night Live" cast member and star of HBO's "Los Espookys" Fred Armisen (who famously parodied Welk on "SNL") to memorialize the accordionist, band leader and television host.
Where did Welk live?
Welk was raised on a farm in Strasburg, North Dakota, the child of German immigrants who made their way to the United States by way of the Ukraine. His father sold a cow to pay for Welk's first accordion. In exchange, Welk worked on the farm until he was 21, turning over any monies earned from gigs. Fred Armisen and Mo Rocca.
Where was Lawrence Welk's show broadcast?
The same year, he began producing The Lawrence Welk Show on KTLA in Los Angeles, where it was broadcast from the Aragon Ballroom in Venice Beach. The show became a local hit and was picked up by ABC in June 1955. During its first year on the air, the Welk hour instituted several regular features.
What type of music did Lawrence Welk play?
Befitting the target audience, the type of music on The Lawrence Welk Show was conservative, concentrating on popular music standards, show tunes, polkas, and novelty songs, delivered in a smooth, calm, good-humored easy-listening style and "family-oriented" manner.
What award did Welk receive?
In 1961, Welk was inducted as a charter member of the Rough Rider Award from his native North Dakota. In 1967, he received the Horatio Alger Award from the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans. He later served as the Grand Marshal for the Rose Bowl 's Tournament of Roses parade in 1972. Welk received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement in 1980.
What song did Welk cover?
He was noted for spotlighting individual members of his band. Welk had a number of instrumental hits, including a cover of the song " Yellow Bird ". His highest charting record was " Calcutta ", written by Heino Gaze, which achieved hit status in 1961.
What grade did Welk go to school?
Welk left school during fourth grade to work full-time on the family farm. Welk decided on a career in music and persuaded his father to buy a mail-order accordion for $400 (equivalent to $5,167 in 2020) He promised his father that he would work on the farm until he was 21, in repayment for the accordion.
Where was Welk born?
Early life. Welk was born in the German-speaking community of Strasburg, North Dakota. He was sixth of the eight children of Ludwig and Christiana (née Schwahn) Welk, Roman Catholic ethnic Germans who emigrated in 1892 from Odessa, Russian Empire (now Ukraine). Welk was a first cousin, once removed, of former Montana governor Brian Schweitzer ...
Where was the song Spiked Beer recorded?
Although many associate Welk's music with a style quite-separate from jazz, he recorded one notable song in a ragtime style in November 1928 for Gennett Records, based in Richmond, Indiana: "Spiked Beer", featuring Welk and his Novelty Orchestra.
Overview
Format
The show would often open by showing bubbles floating around and was accompanied by a sound effect of a bottle of champagne opening, including the opening theme (originally "Bubbles in the Wine", composed by Welk and Frank Loesser, later replaced with a derivative theme, "Champagne Time", and fanfare composed by George Cates). Each week, Welk would introduce the theme of th…
Broadcast history
On May 11, 1951, The Lawrence Welk Show began as a local program on KTLA in Los Angeles, the flagship station of the Paramount Television Network and the first commercial television station in California and west of the Mississippi River. The original show was broadcast from the since-demolished Aragon Ballroom at Venice Beach. In 1954, Paramount announced plans to distribute the show nationwide, plans that never materialized due to Paramount's feuds with DuMont Televi…
Producers and directors
James Hobson (also known as Jim Hobson) served longest as producer (1962–1982) and director of The Lawrence Welk Show. Hobson died on April 26, 2013, in Santa Monica Hospital, California.
Episode status
The surviving episodes from the first 10 seasons on ABC, which began in 1955, exist today as black and white kinescopes or videotape, as the show was broadcast live for the first 10 years, right up through the 1964–1965 season. A few of these have been broadcast on public television. Most episodes shown on PBS stations today are from around 1965 to 1982 (the majority being from the syndicated run), but some older black and white episodes were added to the rotation in recent y…
In popular culture
• Accordion pop/rock band Those Darn Accordions recorded "The Story of Lawrence Welk" on their 1994 album Squeeze This!, a comic retelling of Welk's life story which references his television series, incorporating musical bits from "Bubbles in the Wine" and name-dropping series regulars Alice Lon, The Lennon Sisters and even its sponsorships from Dodge and Geritol.
• Comic Stan Freberg created a parody of the show in a song called "Wun'erful Wun'erful (Sides uh-one and uh-…
Singers and performers
All of these singers and performers were part of the Musical Family, with Welk on the lead.
• The Aldridge Sisters, singers (1977–1982)
• Anacani, singer, dancer (1973–
1982)
• Lynn Anderson, singer (1967–1968)
Announcers
• James Narz (1956–1957)
• Lou Crosby (1955–1960)
• Bob Warren (1960–1982)