Sights and Sounds of Los Angeles '79

Back in the 80s, Randy Newman said "I Love L.A." in song, but as we all know, the Champagne Music Makers did one better.....

They did a whole show about L.A. and here are some of the highlights!

Guy Hovis reign as Sheriff of Dodge City is clean, as you can tell by his clothes....

Bobby teaches Barbara how to fly.....

and the Good Ship Lollipop set sail that day for a three hour tour....

....a three hour tour.


SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF L.A. - March 31, 1979

1. CALIFORNIA, HERE I COME - Sherry, Sheila, Ralna, Gail, Mary Lou, Kathie, Guy, Jimmy, Ken, Larry, Joe 

2. ERES TU - Anacani
3. LAZY RIVER - the orchestra
4. CALIFORNIA DREAMING - Guy Hovis & Ralna English
5. L.A. IS - danced by Bobby Burgess & Barbara Boylan

6. SMOKE GETS IN YOUR EYES - Henry Cuesta on clarinet with orchestra
7. TIGER BY THE TAIL - Ava Barber with Bob Smale at the piano
8. HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD - danced by Arthur Duncan
9. RHINESTONE COWBOY - Guy Hovis
10. IT'S A SMALL WORLD - Myron Floren on accordion, danced by Lawrence & Mary Lou

11. THE NUTCRACKER SUITE - orchestra, danced by Lawrence & Mary Lou
12. HOW DEEP IS THE OCEAN? - Kathie Sullivan
13. SAN FERNANDO VALLEY - Jimmy Roberts with Sandi Griffiths, Gail Farrell, Mary Lou Metzger
14. IF THEY COULD SEE ME NOW - Ken Delo
15. BE YOURSELF - sung and danced by Mary Lou Metzger, Jack Imel, Bobby Burgess, Barbara Boylan

16. MOON LOVE - Joe Feeney with Bob Ralston at the organ and Ernie Earhardt on cello
17. IN CALIFORNIA - Sheila and Sherry Aldridge with Roger and David Otwell (also on guitar)
18. RED SAILS IN THE SUNSET - Norma Zimmer
19. RUNNIN' WILD - Bob Lido (also on fiddle) with the Hotsy Totsy Boys with Bob Havens on trombone, Russ Klein on piccolo sax, Charlie Parlato on trumpet, Neil Levang on banjo, Richard Maloof on tuba and Jack Imel on drums and musical spoons

Another fine episode, and a tribute show that the residents of L.A. would be proud of....

So until next time, keep a song in your heart and avoid those traffic jams on the 405 freeway!

 

Sights and Sounds of Los Angeles '79

Is it that time already?

I still can't believe that Daylight Savings Time starts early and it's already here...

....so I just lost an hour worth of sleep.

And were still in pledge mode, so just in case if you got this week's Welk show it's a Salute to Los Angeles from 1972.

Here's Sandi & Sally as air hostesses singing "Leavin' On A Jet Plane"

Sandi was this week's featured interview by Mary Lou Metzger by the way...

Here's Bob Havens playing "Blue Skies" on the trombone, we also heard "Tea For Two", "California Here I Come", "Rainy Days And Mondays" and "Sam's Song" on the show as well.

But here in Toledo, we got "Precious Memories" again.

To the programming hamsters at WGTE, for once, at least mix it up on pledge week! At least show "Milestones & Memories" or "TV Treasures" heck....even "Songs Of Faith" would be worth watching!

Oh well....it's only two more weeks until we get a new Welk show.

Is it that time already?

Musical Salute to Los Angeles

This week's show is a musical salute to the city of Los Angeles, where the Welk show has been taped throughout it's 27-year run. Originally aired in 1972, here are a few highlights from this episode!

Here's the opening number, "California, Here I Come."

Meanwhile at Grauman's Chinese Theatre, Arthur Duncan is tapping over the cemented footprints with the tippity tap of "Happy Feet."

And here's Mary Lou Metzger as Shirley Temple singing about the Good Ship Lollipop.

Finally, with LA known for it's smog....how about a little "Blue Skies" with Bob Havens at the trombone!

This has all the trimmings for a very fine show, and it will have you wanting to take your next vacation to the City of Angels.

Now if they can get a pro football team there.....but that's another topic.

Musical Salute to Los Angeles

Mary Lou and Ralna

Two of Lawrence Welk's finest music makers, here from 1972's Salute to Los Angeles episode singing "California Here I Come".

And of course, Mary Lou made her way from Pennsylvania while Ralna came from Texas.

Mary Lou and Ralna

Tribute To Los Angeles 1972

A hearty SALUTE to all you Welk fans on this late Saturday Night from Toledo, OH (from a popular John Denver song). This week's episode is from my favorite Welk era (1968 to 1975) which I call The Golden Age Of Welk, it's titled Salute To Los Angeles which orginally aired in syndication on Feburary 12, 1972 and boy howdy it's a classic for the archives!

Here's Arthur Duncan dancing at the Chinese Theatre to the tune of "Happy Feet", notice the ladies here with their mini skirts?

No surprise why this is my favorite period of the Lawrence Welk Show.

There were many great numbers, such as Guy Hovis' solo of "Go Away Little Girl", Sandi & Sally's enchanting "Leavin' On A Jet Plane" and Dick Dale tellin' a "Whale Of A Tale". We also were treated to a little "Jalisco" from Myron Floren and his squeezebox plus Clay Hart singing Gene Autry's signature tune "Back In The Saddle".

We also heard the orchestra play "Sam's Song" in which the Sam featured was longtime Mayor of Los Angeles Sam Yorty, who in addition to politics was also a pretty decent musician. Tanya Falan, always a favorite of the cameras, sang "Rainy Days and Mondays" made famous by the Carpenters. How ironic that LA these days could use some rainy days due to the oppressive heatwave they're going through.

Still, it was a fantasic episode in my opinion. Bob Havens finished it all up on his trombone with "Blue Skies" featuring the cast for vocal support.

I almost forgot, there was Mary Lou Metzger in the solo spotlight as Shirley Temple singing "On The Good Ship Lollipop", and speaking of short skirts, Mary Lou's costume had to take first place as the SHORTEST!

Speaking of Mary Lou, going to her interview...it was Sandi Griffiths in this week's hot seat. Sandi talked about how she started singing as a tot....appearing on Art Linkletter's show "House Party" and her days in college meeting Sally Flynn and the duo singing in Vietnam, Disneyland and Las Vegas before joing the music makers.

Sandi also brushed up on her family, she and husband Brent have been married for 37 years now and she's working on her masters from BYU. She has also been working on genealogy as well, tracing her family's history and roots...they lead back to Ireland if you're wondering.

Next week is another new one, the final new episode of this season. I'll be tuned in like everyone else and once over, I'll provide my two cents worth.

Stay safe everyone....and keep a song in your heart!

Tribute To Los Angeles 1972