Salute to New York '77

Start spreading the news, I'm leaving today.....

You must have guessed by now that this particular Lawrence Welk episode, half of you saw last Saturday while the other half saw the Saturday before that, is all about the city so nice they named it twice.

New York, New York.

Here are some of the highlights.....

Norma Zimmer paints happy little trees.....

Joe Feeney and Myron Floren guest star in a very special N.Y.P.D Blue.....

......and Mary Lou Metzger's dogs are barkin'


SALUTE TO NEW YORK - October 15, 1977

1. NEW YORK, NEW YORK - Anacani, Gail, Sandi, Mary Lou, Cissy, Arthur, Jimmy, Ken and Bobby
2. TAKE THE "A" TRAIN - the orchestra
3. MANHATTAN - Tom Netherton with Bob Smale at the piano
4. AUTUMN IN NEW YORK - Norma Zimmer
5. 42nd STREET - tap danced by Arthur Duncan

  
6. CAB DRIVER - Larry Hooper with Charlie Parlato, Dick Dale and Bob Lido
7. MATCHMAKER - Donna, Audrey, Jo Anne, Valerie and Michelle Semonski
8. THE BROADWAY MELODY - danced by Cissy King and Bobby Burgess
9. GIVE MY REGARDS TO BROADWAY - Joe Feeney with Myron Floren at the accordion
10. THE WALTER WINCHELL RHUMBA - Gail Farrell, Sandi Griffiths and Mary Lou Metzger

   
11. PENTHOUSE SERENADE - Kathie Sullivan and the saxophone section
12. THE LULLABY OF BROADWAY - the orchestra
13. PUT YOUR SHOES ON LUCY - Jack Imel and Mary Lou Metzger
14. SPANISH HARLEM - Anacani

  
15. MEDLEY OF SONGS FROM MY FAIR LADY: I'VE COULD HAVE DANCED ALL NIGHT/I'VE GROWN ACCUSTOMED TO HER FACE/ON THE STREET WHERE YOU LIVE - the orchestra plus a vocal by Ken Delo
16. MANHATTAN SERENADE - Bob Ralston and Bob Smale at the piano with the orchestra
17. MANHATTAN SERENADE (REPRISE) - Bob Ralston at the Thomas Organ
18. BUTTONS AND BOWS - Ava Barber
19. MEDLEY OF NEW YORK SONGS: IN OLD NEW YORK/THE BOWERY/SIDEWALKS OF NEW YORK - Norma, Jimmy, Gail, Joe, Anacani, Ken, Sandi, Tom with dancers Cissy, Bobby, Arthur, Mary Lou and Jack

  
This was a fine salute to the Big Apple, and considering the year the show was taped, Gotham needed a pick-me-up for it's psyche. New York had weathered through a financial crisis (Ford to New York: Drop Dead), the Son of Sam murders, and a power blackout just to name a few.

To quote Howard Cosell from the '77 World Series, "Ladies and Gentlemen, the Bronx is Burning."

But at least for one episode, the Musical Family made New Yorkers feel good about themselves again, and the city has once again reclaimed it's spot as the best in the world.

Until next time, keep a song in your heart and keep that Empire State of Mind all over. 

Salute to New York '77

New York Show 1958

Last week's show was a repeat, it's a black & white New York show from 1958 with wraparounds hosted by Big Tiny Little...also this broadcast was also the only time the Welk Show aired from New York City itself, so without further delay....here's the Maestro to start things off!

The Lennon Sisters were big hits in their Big Apple showing, singing "Sugar Moon"...plus since the show aired on August 2, 1958, it was Kathy Lennon's 15th birthday with everyone singing along wishing her birthday greetings! Champagne Lady Alice Lon was terrfic with her number "More Than You Know" plus great orchestral pieces such as "Row, Row, Row", "It Must Be True" and a medley of Stephen Foster songs got the New Yorkers dancing on bubbles.

Aladdin was busy singing "Volare" plus teamed up with Larry Hooper, Bob Lido, Big Tiny and Jack Martin for "Yakety Yak", one of my favorite 1950s rock songs made famous by The Coasters. The male chorus, including Bob Lido, all joined in for the Beer Barrell Polka which was fun, musical and hilarious. Larry Dean sang " On The Street Where You Live" and Maurice Pearson sang "Galway Bay" and both numbers were well done.

That was the show in a nutshell, Jimmy Roberts and Alice wrapped it all up with "Goodnight Ladies" with Larry Hooper making sure that everyone knew that "Dodge Had A Goodtime Too". It was a fun and nostalgic trip back to the heydays of the 1950s so take care til' next week!

I do believe on many PBS stations, they will air "Vacation Songs" from August 1967 with wraps by Jo Ann Castle, it's a repeat but lets watch it again!

New York Show 1958