Salute to the Mardi Gras '66

Funny how programming works....

Last week, half the country got the New York episode while the other half got the Mardi Gras show.

Today, we'll recap Mardi Gras in Champagne Style.

Here are some of the highlights.....

The Lennons play Queen For A Day......

Natalie Nevins wears a really big hat.....

 .....and Myron Floren joins the Orange County chapter of the 4H club.


MARDI GRAS - February 19, 1966

1. BROTHERHOOD OF MAN - Dick Cathcart, Jo Ann, Dick Dale, Natalie, Jimmy, Charlotte, Larry, Kathy, Bobby, Janet, Joe, Barbara and Charlie
2. STREET OF DREAMS - Bob Ralston at the piano
3. I COULD HAVE DANCED ALL NIGHT - Norma Zimmer
4. CIRIBIRIBIN - special guest Warren Luening on trumpet
5. I DREAMED - Janet, Dee Dee, Peggy and Kathy Lennon
6. FRASQUITA SERENADE - Joe Livoti on violin with Frank Scott at the piano
7. TOGETHER, WHEREVER WE GO - Jack Imel, Arthur Duncan and Bobby Burgess

8. MAPLE LEAF RAG - Frank Scott at the piano
9. MR. WONDERFUL - Natalie Nevins
10. IRVING BERLIN MEDLEY - the orchestra
11. TIJUANA - Charlie Parlato and Dick Cathcart on trumpet, Frank Scott at harpsichord, vocals by Jo Ann Castle, Norma Zimmer, Kathy and Janet Lennon and danced by Bobby Burgess and Barbara Boylan
12. I LOVE LIFE - Joe Feeney
13. DARK EYES - special guest Kenny King on the accordion
14. CLARINET POLKA - Jo Ann Castle, Kenny King and Myron Floren on the accordion

15. COME TO THE MARDI GRAS - Aladdin
16. HIGH SOCIETY - danced by Bobby Burgess and Barbara Boylan
17. SHRIMP BOATS A' COMIN - Dick Dale
18. DOWN YONDER - Jo Ann Castle at the honky tonk piano
19. WHILE WE DANCED AT THE MARDI GRAS - Norma Zimmer and Jimmy Roberts
20. JAMBALAYA - Bob Lido with Neil Levang and Buddy Merrill at the guitar
21. SOUTH RAMPART STREET PARADE - the orchestra and the singers

Even though there were no college girls flashing their goods for beads, and no signs of public intoxication on Bourbon Street, this episode in all parts an accurate portrayal of the pageantry that is Mardi Gras.

Also from this episode was an example of the musical talent from NORAD, first with Warren Luening, who was no stranger to the Music Makers having played first in the Maestro's "Junior Band" on the spinoff Top Tunes And New Talent (aka The Plymouth Show) in the 1950s.

And on accordion is the talented Kenny King.

NORAD, which is the North American Aerospace Defense Command, in addition to protecting the skies for the United States and Canada, has provided exceptional musical talent through their band, the Commanders. In addition to Luening and King, other Commanders alumni have found work in the music industry. Johnny Zell, Dave Edwards and Richard Maloof before joining the Welk orchestra, cut their military and musical teeth in NORAD.

And we at Welk Musical Family salute the fine men and women that have served protecting the skies.

Hope you guys had a wunnerful Mardi Gras, and a excellent Paczki Day as well. I'll be back later this week with the rundown of the New York show. 

Salute to the Mardi Gras '66

Salute to Italy

For those who wanted to get away from the madness that is the Super Bowl, there's the splendor and beauty of Italy.

And that of course, is the theme of this week's Lawrence Welk episode!

Highlights from the show include.....

.....Jo Ann Castle and Aladdin showing their true feelings towards each other

......Kathy Lennon pushing a cart full of flowers

....and Dick Dale going to great lengths for that last stromboli.

MUSICAL TOUR OF ITALY - October 8, 1966

1. FUNICULI, FUNICULA - Steve, Bob, John, Greg, Janet, Norma, Jimmy, Charlotte, Bobby, Barbara, Peggy, Dee Dee and Aladdin
2. NEAPOLITAN NIGHTS - Norma Zimmer & Jimmy Roberts
3. TIK-A-TEE, TIK-A-TAY - Aladdin with Joe Livoti and Bob Lido on violin, Charlie Parlato on trumpet, Orie Amodeo on flute, Joe Rizzo and Tommy Petrini on bass
4. SANTA LUCIA - Janet, Dee Dee, Kathy and Peggy Lennon
5. TARANTELLA - danced by Bobby Burgess and Barbara Boylan
6. O SOLE MIO - Joe Feeney with Lawrence on accordion

 
7. CARNIVAL OF VENICE - Jo Ann Castle at the piano with Neil Levang on mandolin and Jack Imel on drums
8. ARRIVEDERCI ROMA - Kathy Lennon
9. OH MARIE - Bob Lido with Neil Levang on mandolin, Joe Rizzo on bass and Jack Imel on drums
10. ANEMA E CORE - Jimmy Roberts
11. TORNA A SURRIENTO - Joe Livoti on violin

12. VIENI VIENI - The Blenders featuring Greg Dixon, Steve Smith, Bob Duncan and John Johnson
13. YOU'RE BREAKING MY HEART - Norma Zimmer
14. ISLE OF CAPRI - Bob Ralston at the piano
15. THREE COINS IN THE FOUNTAIN - Steve Smith
16. CIRIBIRIBIN - danced by Arthur Duncan, Bobby Burgess and Jack Imel

17. TOSELLI'S SERENADE - the orchestra
18. MAMA - Kathy Lennon
19. THAT'S AMORE - Aladdin and the entire cast
20. VIENI SU - Dick Dale (also on clarinet) with Neil Levang on mandolin
21. FUNICULI, FUNICULA (Reprise) - Aladdin and the entire cast

It was a fun episode, capture the cultural flavor of Italy to a tee.

One thing I did notice, having a solo number on the show is something every member of the Musical Family strives for, considering the number of singers in the cast, but having two solo numbers is quite rare and a treat too.

Just ask Kathy Lennon.

We're all used to her being part of the Lennon Sisters, but I think as a soloist, she's very underrated. The fact that the Maestro and the producers entrusted her with not one but two songs on the same show is a testament to her talent as a singer.

She has a very, pretty voice. You just can't find genuine talent and heart like that anymore.

Until next time, keep a song in your heart and whenever that moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, don't panic, that's just amore.

Salute to Italy

Christmas '66

Hope your holidays was wunnerful, wunnerful like mine! Especially when the Welk episode du jour was the Christmas episode from 1966.

Highlights from the show include......

Bobby and Barbara get treated like a bunch of rag dolls.

Little Chris Feeney playing Stairway To Heaven on the accordion......

......and Lawrence getting all the little kids to sing.

CHRISTMAS SHOW - December 24, 1966

1. JINGLE BELLS - Dick, Bob, Myron, Peggy, Norma, Jimmy, Lawrence, Jo Ann, Joe, Natalie and Larry
2. MARCH OF THE TOY SOLDIERS - Barbara, Janet, Kathy, Dee Dee, Bob, Bobby, Jack and Arthur
3. RAGTIME COWBOY JOE - Steven Clark with his father Buddy Clark on bass
4. WHITE CHRISTMAS - Norma Zimmer and Jimmy Roberts
5. DOLL DANCE - danced by Barbara Boylan and Bobby Burgess

6. STAR CAROL - Kathy, Peggy, Janet and Dee Dee Lennon
7. OVER THE RIVER - Mimi, Annie, Katie and Theresa Lennon
8. O HOLY NIGHT - Joe Feeney with Bob Ralston at the organ
9. JINGLE BELLS - Chris Feeney on the accordion
10. THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS - Joe Feeney's children

11. ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS A PAIR OF SPOONS - Jack Imel and his children with Myron Floren on accordion
12. AVE MARIA - Natalie Nevins
13. RING THOSE CHRISTMAS BELLS - danced by Arthur Duncan
14. HIGH ON THE HOUSETOP - Larry Hooper
15. FROSTY THE SNOWMAN - Jo Ann Castle on piano

16. HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING/IT CAME UPON A MIDNIGHT CLEAR/JOY TO THE WORLD - Aladdin, Norma, Jimmy, Bobby, Barbara, Kathy, Dick Cathcart, Janet, Larry, Natalie, Bob Ralston, Bob Lido, Dee Dee, Arthur and Joe
17. YES VIRGINIA, THERE IS A SANTA CLAUS - recited by Aladdin Pallante
18. MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM OUR HOUSE TO YOUR HOUSE - Janet, Kathy, Dee Dee, Peggy, Mimi, Annie, Danny, Pay, Joey, Kippy and Billy Lennon
19. SILENT NIGHT - Norma Zimmer with Jo Ann, Dick, Natalie, Barbara, Steve Smith, Kathy, Greg Dixon, Janet, Bob Duncan, Peggy, Larry and Dee Dee
20. JINGLE BELLS - all the children plus Santa passes out the presents

It was nice seeing the Music Makers and their children celebrating the simple joys of Christmas, which tends to get lost in today's emphasis on the uber-hyper, in your face materialism that is so common.

1966 marked the final Welk Christmas show for Aladdin Pallante, who eventually retired from the show halfway in the new year after a heart attack. Although both Larry Hooper and Dick Dale played Santa exceptionally well, no one did it better than good ol' Aladdin.

And his spoken word recitations, such as "Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus", they were truly inspirational and well done.

 
Oh, and he was a terrific violinist as well.

Until next week, or in this case next year as 2011 comes to a close, keep a song in your heart and take it easy on the egg nog. A little Christmas cheer can go a long way!

   

Christmas '66

Bandstand of the Week

From 1966, back at the studios located on Prospect and Talmadge Avenue....a new set in living color!

 

Bandstand of the Week

Bandstand of the Week

The year was 1966. From the Hollywood Palace in living color!

Bandstand of the Week

Can't Help Singing

Think your friends sing too much? Well, they can't help it.

This week's episode is Can't Help Singing, and here are some of the highlights!

Hal Roach hires the Lennon Sisters as his new Little Rascals....

Jack Imel sweeps Norma Zimmer off her feet....

.....and Charlie Parlato orders a pizza.

CAN'T HELP SINGING - November 12, 1966

1. LOOKING FOR LOVE (LOOKING FOR HAPPINESS) - Dee Dee, Janet, Norma, Barbara, Kathy, Jack, Jimmy, Arthur, Bobby and Larry
2. POOR BUTTERFLY - Bob Ralston at the piano
3. CUDDLE UP A LITTLE CLOSER - Natalie Nevins and Jimmy Roberts
4. SPANISH SAMBA - Myron Floren on the PAN accordion
5. JUST A LITTLE STREET WHERE OLD FRIENDS MEET - Kathy, Janet & Dee Dee Lennon with Barbara Boylan

   
6. WHEN MY BABY SMILES AT ME - the orchestra
7. I'M IN HIS CARE - The Blenders featuring Bob Duncan, Greg Dixon, Steve Smith and Paul Sjoland
8. INTERMEZZO - Joe Livoti on the violin and the string section
9. WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL - Bob Lido with Neil Levang on guitar
10. ROMANY LIFE - danced by Bobby Burgess and Barbara Boylan and sung by the Blenders

  
11. CAN'T HELP SINGING - Norma Zimmer
12. I KNOW WHEN I'M HAPPY - sung and danced by Arthur Duncan
13. MEDLEY OF SONGS FROM MARTHA - the orchestra
14. JUST LUCKY I GUESS - Bob Lido
15. SOFTLY, AS I LEAVE YOU - Joe Feeney with Frank Scott at the harpsichord

  
16. LULU'S BACK IN TOWN - Jo Ann Castle with Larry, Charlie, Bob (Lido), Jack, Aladdin, Bobby and Jimmy
17. BILL BAILEY - Jo Ann Castle at the honky tonk piano with sound effects by Jack Imel
18. MY TRULY TRULY FAIR - Dick Dale with vocals by Greg, Bob (Duncan), Steve, Paul, Barbara, Janet, Kathy and Dee Dee
19. WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN - the orchestra featuring Dick Cathcart on trumpet, Bob Havens on trombone and Johnny Klein on the drums
20. SOMEBODY ELSE IS TAKEN MY PLACE - Jimmy Roberts

  
You'll noticed in tonight's show that Barbara Boylan is filling in for Peggy Lennon as one of the Lennon Sisters. I'm guessing she could have been on maternity leave, but I doubt it as at the time of taping, her most recent child, Chris, was born February 27th and her next arrival, Joseph, would be born June 29, 1967.

It was nice seeing Bob Lido featured in plenty of numbers, his versatility as a musician and performer was really on display. 

So until next time, keep a song in your heart and if you still can't help singing.....Lulu will take care of that when she's back in town.

Can't Help Singing

Summer Sounds of '66

Yesterday, my regular PBS station WGTE was in pledge mode, so they carried "Lawrence Welk's TV Treasures" which was nice. Thankfully, I had WBGU to watch this week's regularly scheduled Welk show, "Summer Sounds" from 1966 with wraps hosted by Peggy Lennon.

Here are some highlights....we will start with the Blenders singing "Go Ahead Charlie" with Charlie Parlato and Jo Ann Castle in the park.

Here's Jo Ann again, this time with Aladdin and Bob Lido in this number titled, "Paddlin' Madeline."

Now we head for the islands with Dick Dale and the Lennon Sisters in this calypso number titled "Marianne."

And after a long hard day of singing and entertaining, what better way to relax and unwind with a picnic in the park.

I hope no one forgot to bring the peanut butter and M&M's!

Regardless of what you were able to watch, it was a great day of champagne viewing as always on the tube.

Next week, WGTE is in pledge mode still....but I do believe WBGU will carry "Salute To Nashville."

Summer Sounds of '66