R.I.P Dick Dale (1926-2014)

R.I.P Dick Dale (1926-2014)

America On The Move

Everyone is on the move, in all walks of life.

That is what America is all about, and it's also this past weekend's Lawrence Welk episode.

And here are the highlights!

Jack Imel fights Snoopy as the Red Baron.....

Dick Dale has gone bananas.....

......and the Orange Blossom Special runs thru a suburban residence.


AMERICA ON THE MOVE - November 1, 1975

1. GOTTA TRAVEL ON - Cissy, Bobby, Mary Lou, Ken, Gail, Jimmy, Anacani, Tom
2. STRANGER ON THE SHORE - Henry Cuesta on clarinet
3. LEAVING ON A JET PLANE - Guy Hovis and Ralna English
4. FLY ME TO THE MOON - Tom Netherton with Myron Floren on accordion, Neil Levang on guitar, Richard Maloof on bass and percussion work by Jack Imel and Bob Lido

  
5. WHEELS - danced by Bobby Burgess and Cissy King
6. LAZY RIVER - the orchestra
7. ON THE ATCHINSON, TOPEKA and SANTA FE - Sandi Griffiths, Gail Farrell, Anacani and Tanya Falan
8. MEDLEY OF SONGS FROM "THE BAND WAGON" - the orchestra
9. CUANTO LA GUSTA - Diane, Donna, Valerie, Jo Ann, Audrey and Michelle Semonski

10. CHATTANOOGA CHOO CHOO - sung and danced by Mary Lou Metzger and Jack Imel with Sandi, Gail and Ken
11. RED SAILS IN THE SUNSET - Norma Zimmer and Jimmy Roberts
12. TIJUANA TAXI - the orchestra
13. IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HOUSE - Larry Hooper

14. TAKE THE A TRAIN - tap danced by Arthur Duncan with Sandi, Gail, Ralna and Norma
15. BY THE TIME I GET TO PHOENIX - Ava Barber
16. THE BANANA BOAT SONG - Dick Dale with Gail, Sandi and Mary Lou
17. CHARLIE ON THE M.T.A - Ken Delo
18. THOSE MAGNIFICENT MEN IN THOSE FLYING MACHINES - Larry, Arthur, Bobby, Anacani, Joe, Tom, Tanya, Jimmy, Gail, Guy, Ralna, Mary Lou, Cissy, Norma with Bob Havens on trombone, Jack Imel with percussion work, Richard Maloof on tuba, Russ Klein on saxophone and Charlie Parlato on trumpet

If you're one of the fellow Americans that are on the move, remember the enjoy the journey even with all the traffic and high gas prices.

The Maestro and his Musical Family have been on the move plenty of times over the years, by plane, train and car they toured the country on their concert tours to places across America where they are greeted by loyal fans.

More proof that an America that's on the move is a very good thing.

So until next time, keep a song in your heart and keep your feet on the move!

America On The Move

Salute to Harry Warren '72

Happy Fourth of July Week everyone!

Like I promised, I bring you the Salute To Harry Warren episode from 1972, which aired two weeks ago on your local public television station.

Highlights from the show include......

Ken Delo goes to Wal-Mart.....

Gail and Dale waiting for the evening train.....

....and Lulu's back in town. Happy, happy, joy, joy.


MUSIC OF HARRY WARREN - October 7, 1972

1. LULLABY OF BROADWAY - Joe, Tanya, Dick, Gail, Bobby, Cissy, Jimmy, Norma, Ken and Mary Lou
2. WOULD YOU LIKE TO TAKE A WALK? - Guy Hovis and Ralna English
3. CHEERFUL LITTLE EARFUL - the orchestra
4. I FOUND A MILLION DOLLAR BABY (IN A FIVE-AND-TEN CENT STORE) - Ken Delo
5. THE KISS POLKA - Myron Floren on accordion

6. I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU - Norma Zimmer
7. 42nd STREET - danced by Bobby Burgess and Cissy King
8. SEPTEMBER IN THE RAIN - Bob Ralston on piano
9. I LOVE MY BABY (MY BABY LOVES ME) - Jimmy Roberts
10. THE SHADOW WALTZ - the orchestra with Lawrence dancing with Cissy King

11. YOU MUST HAVE BEEN A BEAUTIFUL BABY - Tanya Falan
12. SHUFFLE OFF TO BUFFALO - the orchestra
13. CHATTANOOGA CHOO CHOO - Clay Hart
14. THE MORE I SEE YOU - Joe Feeney with Bob Ralston on piano
15. WITH PLENTY OF MONEY AND YOU - danced by Arthur Duncan

16. YOU'LL NEVER KNOW - Ralna English
17. JEEPERS CREEPERS - Bob Lido (also on violin) with Bob Smale at piano
18. REMEMBER ME? - Gail Farrell and Dick Dale
19. ON THE ATCHISON, TOPEKA AND THE SANTA FE - Sandi Griffiths and Sally Flynn with Guy, Arthur, Ralna, Cissy, Tanya, Clay, Norma and Jimmy
20. LULU'S BACK IN TOWN - sung and danced by Jack Imel, Bobby Burgess, Mary Lou Metzger with Joe Feeney, Ken Delo, Bob Ralston and Charlie Parlato

A terrific episode all around, very easy on the eyes and the ears too!

Plus the fact that Sandi and Sally wore mini skirts and go-go boots helped as well.

  
Sitting in the audience for tonight's show was Ralna's parents, you can tell that they were mighty proud of their daughter. Especially when she sang "You'll Never Know" in the solo spot with passion, gusto and heart.

  
And Harry Warren himself was also in the audience, he also had to be very proud of the Music Makers saluting his work.

So until next time, keep a song in your heart and if you shuffle off to Buffalo, avoid the rush hour traffic on the New York Thruway.  

Salute to Harry Warren '72

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

Memories of Nat King Cole

This week's Welk episode is best described as Unforgetable.

In case you guessed it by now, it's a salute to the iconic singer Nat King Cole!

Highlights from this episode include....

.....Tanya singing whenever there's a full moon

.....pondering of if there's musical discounts from Geico

.....and Dick Dale gets romantic with Gail Farrell.

MEMORIES OF NAT KING COLE - October 6, 1973

1. L-O-V-E - Ralna, Mary Lou, Gail, Sandi, Anacani, Tanya, Guy, Ken, Arthur, Larry, Joe and Jimmy
2. NATURE BOY - danced by Cissy King and Bobby Burgess
3. AUTUMN LEAVES - Norma Zimmer
4. DANCE, BALLERINA, DANCE - the orchestra
5. ANSWER ME MY LOVE - Guy Hovis and Ralna English

  
6. WITH A LITTLE BIT OF LUCK - Myron Floren on accordion with Bobby and Cissy dancing
7. PAPER MOON - Tanya Falan
8. MONA LISA - Ken Delo with Bob Smale at the piano
9. ROUTE 66 - Dick Dale, Kenny Trimble and Charlie Parlato with dancing by Bobby Burgess, Arthur Duncan and Jack Imel
10. VAYA CON DIOS - Anacani

11. SMILE - Jimmy Roberts
12. PRETEND - the orchestra
13. RAMBLIN' ROSE - Clay Hart and his guitar
14. WALKIN' MY BABY BACK HOME - Dick Dale and Gail Farrell
15. STRAIGHTEN UP AND FLY RIGHT - Arthur Duncan tap dancing

16. TOO YOUNG - Sandi Griffiths with Tanya, Anacani, Ralna, Norma, Mary Lou and Gail
17. SWEET LORRAINE - Henry Cuesta on clarinet with Bob Havens on trombone and the rhythm section
18. NON DIMENTICAR - Joe Feeney with Bob Ralston at the Thomas Organ
19. LAZY, HAZY, CRAZY DAYS OF SUMMER - Larry Hooper with Mary Lou, Arthur, Norma, Jimmy, Sandi, Tanya, Dick, Anacani, Guy, Ralna, Bobby, Cissy, Ken and Gail

A fine and fitting tribute to one of the world's best singers, who we lost way too soon....

One thing is for sure, and we can all take comfort in this. Like Lawrence Welk, the legacy of Nat King Cole lives on with his recordings and tapes of his television appearances, ensuring that younger generations can enjoy what music is really all about.

So until next time, keep a song in your heart and always remember to straighten up and fly right! 

Memories of Nat King Cole

Meanwhile, down on the farm

From the Down On The Farm episode which aired a few weeks back, here's Bob Lido and the Music Makers as they sing about the assortment of animals found on Old MacDonald's farm!

 

Meanwhile, down on the farm

The episode that started it all, from July 2, 1955

It's always wunnerful, wunnerful to start a whole new season of Welk shows.

Here's Mary Lou Metzger welcoming viewers for the 25th season broadcasting on public television.

But what's this? Through the magic of television, it's now black & white and Mary Lou looks like she's in Ozzie & Harriet's living room!

There's a reason for this, episode one for 2011-12 is the national debut episode of the series which originally aired July 2, 1955 on ABC.

 
As you can tell, the Musical Family were just kids back then.....

.....like Jimmy Roberts

.....Rocky Rockwell

....Buddy Merrill

...and Dick Dale just to name a few.

Little did anyone realize that Saturday night in July was the start of something special. The combination of music, singing, talent and dancing would make the Lawrence Welk Show an enduring television institution.

As I write this blog entry, four of the Music Makers appearing in this week's landmark episode are still with us. Dick Dale, Bill Page, Rocky Rockwell and Buddy Merrill.

To view the complete songlist from this week's episode, just go to THE DODGE DANCING PARTY on my webpage for that and more!

In the meantime, until next week....Goodnight Ladies, Farewell Gentleman and hope you had a happy time!

The episode that started it all, from July 2, 1955

Have you ever met a real live girl?

Dick Dale has, here in this musical number with Gail Farrell from 1971 singing about being with a real live girl.

 

Have you ever met a real live girl?

Today, UAW Local 12....Tomorrow, Broadway!

A commercial that runs two minutes and 43 seconds?

That's unheard of in today's television! But back in the late 1950s, it was the norm as seen from this Plymouth commerical featuring some of your favorite Welk Stars from the Silver Champagne Era.

And just to keep score, they are Dick Dale, Alice Lon, Larry Hooper, Big Tiny Little, Bob Lido and Rocky Rockwell.

Today, UAW Local 12....Tomorrow, Broadway!

Nothing to see here, that's just Elmer's Tune

From 1974, here's Dick Dale with the girls as they sing this classic Glenn Miller song.

 

Nothing to see here, that's just Elmer's Tune