The Norma Zimmer Show '65

This past Saturday in the Wide Wide World of Welk, the featured episode we received was a Champagne Tribute to the Champagne Lady, Norma Zimmer.

And here's more highlights from Normafest '65.....

Norma shows her portrait of Mr. Natural.....

.....then shares a dance with her son Mark,

.....and finally paints happy little trees with Jimmy Roberts

THE NORMA ZIMMER SHOW - November 13, 1965

1. SMILES - Bobby, Barbara, Natalie, Bob Duncan, Kathy, Steve, Janet, Greg, Dianne, Dick, Jo Ann, Jimmy, Larry featuring Bob Havens on trombone, Dick Cathcart on trumpet and Frank Scott at the piano
2. WHISTLE WHILE YOU WORK - Norma Zimmer
3. THE JOLLY CABALLERO - danced by Bobby Burgess & Barbara Boylan with Myron Floren and Jo Ann Castle on the accordion
4. TAMMY - Dee Dee, Peggy, Kathy and Janet Lennon
5. MEMORIES - (with picture montage of Norma's family) Norma Zimmer with husband Randy, sons Mark and Ron and the orchestra

6. LIDA ROSE - Natalie Nevins with the Bob Duncan, Steve Smith, Greg Dixon and Johnny Johnson
7. SONG OF THE ISLANDS - Jo Ann Castle on the honky tonk piano with Buddy Merrill at the steel guitar
8. WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEARN THE POLKA? - Norma Zimmer, Barbara Boylan and Bobby Burgess
9. TEA FOR TWO - danced by Arthur Duncan
10. DON'T TAKE YOUR LOVE FROM ME - Bob Ralston at the piano

11. LATIN PRAYER - Joe Feeney with Frank Scott at the piano
12. PICK YOURSELF UP - Jack Imel with Bobby, Barbara, Arthur, Jo Ann, Dick and Janet
13. VIENNA ECHOES - danced by Lawrence Welk and Norma Zimmer
14. I'M GONNA BUILD A FENCE AROUND YOU - Janet Lennon with the Blenders
15. THE ST. LOUIS BLUES - Mahlon Clark on the clarinet with the orchestra

16. COTTON FIELDS - Larry Hooper
17. WILL YOU REMEMBER? (SWEETHEART) - Norma Zimmer & Jimmy Roberts
18. BEANS FROM BOSTON MY HOMETOWN - Bob Lido & Aladdin
19. GETTING TO KNOW YOU - orchestra conducted by Norma Zimmer

This episode was truly a fine and loving tribute to a lovely Champagne Lady. We lost Norma almost a year ago, but the memories live on through weekly episodes like this where we can watch her sing with the best of them. 

It also gave viewers a glimpse into her family, made up her loving husband of more than sixty years, Randy, and her two sons, Ron and Mark. This show, when first aired on ABC, was the first time Welk fans found out Norma was a terrific painter. The portraits featured on the show was actually painted by her.

We shall never again see the likes of her, so until next week, keep that old familiar song in your heart!

 

The Norma Zimmer Show '65

The Welk 500

Back in the spring of 1965, a television milestone was established over at ABC,

The Lawrence Welk Show aired it's 500th show that Saturday night!

Here are a few highlights from that milestone and memory,

The Maestro opens the show with his trusty accordian....

Here's the entire Lennon family together for a hootnanny!

Joe Livoti demonstrating his skills as a violin concertmaster....

And Larry Hooper swinging into high with Lawrence watching with glee.

By next season, the show would make the move to color.....and many many more milestones and memories would made!

The Welk 500