BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!

Subject: Gotta Have My Lawrence Welk!
From: Dewey
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 06:43 AM

I've got A T.V. at my place of work. Every Sunday night, me and the boss watch Re-runs of the Lawrence Welk Show on PBS. (Gets kinda slow on Sundays, And yes I still get paid for watching the show)

My favorite programs are those from the mid- 1970's giant funky orange colored suits, Tom Netherland (with the Greg Brady Sideburns) doing the worst (best) renditions of popular 1970's hits imaginable.

Some all-time favorites (done in the tastefully tasteless Lawrence musical tradition and in full Lawrence style) are:

Opps Before I begin, for those of you that do not understand the Lawrence Welk sound:

Think of Elevator Music Done to any popular song you may have heard in an elevator, but is/was a current hit, and then imagine the most talentless and deluded amatuers imaginable attempting to sing it with totally confidence and exaggerated expression with perfectly stilted canned meter (i.e. the offbeat becomes just as important as the onbeat.... Like an E.K.G. machine only there is less pulse)

My all time favorites are:

1. Feelings, Nothing More than Feelings (Tom Netherland in his beautiful Plade suite)

2. Thank God I'm A Country Boy (Sung of Course by the Lennon Sisters who of course think they are country boys)

3. My Way (Sung By the Irish Tenor Guy in irish Tenor Style, A Real Show Stopper)


This show is much like the "Gong Show" only that, I think.... Lawrence was actually serious.

The show polarized people into two groups:

1. Those that took Lawrence seriously and thought he was an entertainment God.

2. Those that didn't take him seriously and thought he was an entertainment God.

I am in the second group.

Opps! actually there is a third group:

Those that hated Lawrence but were forced to watch him by parents or grandparents who guarded the T.V. channel. (this group is known as the "nightmare" group.


When people come into the store on Lawrence Night (Sunday, 7:00 p.m. PBS) and see the boss and myself watching it, there is usually one of two comments that occur:

1. Oh, you watching Lawrence Welk what are wonderful show, he's from North Dakota ya know!


or.

2. That guy's dead isn't he? Boy I hated that show. when I was a kid we use to have to sit and watch that crap with Mom, Dad/Grandma, Grandpa all the time, It still gives me nightmares.

Another cool feature of the Lawrence Tradition was the time spent showing off various offspring and relatives of the Lawrence family/musicial family, displaying little kids before the crowd and bragging how perfect the family was, something like the following:

So and so is older now and HAPPILY MARRIED, has a wonderful career, gifted in such and such, and has two beuatiful child and a wonderful faith in God. ( no one on the show or their offspring of course was ever DIVORCED, ON DRUGS UN-EMPLOYEED, A GANGSTER ETC.

Anyway,

Gotta have My Lawrence, Much funnier than American Idea, Must more idealist than the Gong Show, and much more "Wholesome" than anything out there going today on the "E" network.

Dewey

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: Dewey
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 06:49 AM

Opps During Football Season I have to watch it on another T.V. in the liquor store. it would be dangerous to do otherwise. it's a tough choice Lawrence or Football.

Dewey

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: Mooh
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 07:17 AM

I've often wondered what the band really wanted to play. Could they really swing? Could they really rock? Did they make fun of Welk's accent behind his back? Did they all end up in therapy? Were the pastie smiles surgically fixed? Some of the chicks might have been hot if the wardrobe department hadn't done such a good job of hiding it. Did LW get lots of tail? He should have.

Damn show is still in reruns. My kids have seen it and were incredulous. My grandmother, God rest her soul, viewed LW as the savior of television and secular music. I grew up thinking I didn't get the joke. I always wanted to hear him do The Lemon Song, Yellow Snow, or something to show me he was in on the joke.

Still, did LW get lots of tail?

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: mack/misophist
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 09:43 AM

Two things on that show were worthwhile:

A barrel house style piano player called Big Tiny Little
A tall skinny basso profundo (Sorry, I forgot his name.)

All the rest was crap; not even as good as Liberacé.

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: Rabbi-Sol
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 12:48 PM

Hi Dewey,
          You will be happy to know that you are not the only rabid Lawrence Welk fan on this forum. I am also one. By the way, the name of your favorite baritone singer is Tom Netherton, not Netherland. He has his own theatre today in Myrtle Beach, SC where he performs regularly. I have to wait till my wife leaves the house before I can put on my Lawrence Welk tapes because she can't stand them. My mother used to watch his program religiously every week and I developed a love for his music. My favorites were The Lennon Sisters and the champagne lady, Norma Zimmer. I also loved the duets sung by Dick Dale and Dianne Lennon. Although Mr. Welk has passed on long ago, his financial empire still exists stronger than ever. The family operates a resort complex and theatre in Branson, Mo. and many of the same stars including the Lennon Sisters, are still part of the show. My knowledge of Welk's music has been a tremendous asset to me as I do a lot of work with Senior Citizens groups and have to entertain them on their bus tours. SOL ZELLER

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: khandu
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 01:19 PM

YES! LW was THE entertainment God!
The Tenor was Joe Feeney
The "Basso Profundo" was Larry Somebody
The Accordion Guy was LW's son-in-law, Myron Floren
The jiggly piano player who could not contain herself was Joanne Castle
The "token" Black tap dancer was Arthur Duncan

I never knew the drummer's name, but you could tell he wanted to SWING!!!

The rest were nameless fluff

ken

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: CarolC
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 01:26 PM

I guess I fall into the nightmare category. My son used to torture me by putting on Lawrence Welk and watching it as though he really was interested. It wasn't until later that he let me in on his little secret that he did it just to torture me. I do love my son's sense of humor though. Dewey, are you old enough to have seen the show back when it was still being made?

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: Rabbi-Sol
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 01:29 PM

The Basso was Larry Hooper. He recently passed away. SOL ZELLER

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: pdq
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 01:52 PM

Dixieland style trombone player Bob Havens made a career out of LW's band. Another great Pete Fountain was a regular at one time. I have (somewhere) an old LP with these two plus Al Hirt. Outrageously skillfull and fun at the same time.

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: Cruiser
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 03:37 PM

I have to admit that I like the Lawrence Welk Show (LWS), but never liked LW, the man. I was "forced" to watch the show during the 1950s on a fuzzy/snowy black and white TV with rabbit ears antennae (wrapped in aluminum foil) when we went to visit my grandparents on some Saturday nights. Heck, even Marty Robbins was on during one airing! I still remember my grandmother (Mammaw) saying that Marty looked like he was cross-eyed. That must have been 1956 or '57 with Marty singing "Singing the Blues".

The LWS was like a continuation of the Hit Parade (which I liked). They sang many of the current songs. I did not care much for the later music of the 70s and 80s.

I still occasionally watch the LWS on PBS because it brings back memories of the 50s and 60s. It is still interesting to watch the cast as they age after all these years when they have a PBS reunion. However, that reminds me of my own age and mortality, especially when the In Memoriam photos of deceased Champagne stars are aired.

The best part of the show for me was when the violin/string section was featured and when there was a skit involving a hoedown and fiddle playing.

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: Bill D
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 05:19 PM

that piano player was Big Tiny Little Junior!...why do I remember that?

and the bandleader was Rocky Rockwell, which led to the famous parody about "Turn offa da bubble machine....hit it with your horn, Stoney"

let me look.....

ah, yes....here we go

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: Peace
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 05:26 PM

And a one and a two . . . .

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: RangerSteve
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 08:24 PM

Speaking of Joanne Castle, I recently heard a recording of her playing Dvorak's Humeresque in G. as a boogie woogie piece. If you get a chance, you have to hear it. The arrangement was clearly influence by God.

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: mg
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 01:41 AM

I love the Lawrence Welk show too. Especially the Lovely Lennon Sisters and Norma Zimmer and Myron Floren. Are you sure he was the SIL of LW? I know he is the father in law of the dancer who used to be the Meeska Mooska Mousekateer..Bobby...Cubby O'Brien was a drummer..he was the cute littles Mousketeer. I don't think anyone sings as good as the Lennon Sisters, except of course for Norma Zimmer. My father was sweet on NZ and I guess they grew up in the same part of Seattle and were the same age. He used to show me where she lived growing up. He did not like the Irish Tenor..saw him once and said "never bring home an Irish tenor." I love the accordian stuff..Myron Floren is a great accordian player. I used to love it when I was a kid and now that they have reruns I love it again.

And who ever has sung like Norma Zimmer? She had the prettiest voice.

mg

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 03:47 AM

Lawrence I'd never heard of, until (in the mid 70's) I got into the work of the late Lenny Bruce. Lawrence was was the but off many of Lenny's jokes. being a byword for unhipness even in those days.

LW was one of the many icons of Americana that I had to decode at the time.

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: open mike
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 10:59 AM

i wonder if anyone ever called him Larry?
http://www.welkshow.com/
and how about that bubble machine?
and Geritol?
it was probably the first time many
heard a polka...
and oh, my, idd you know that some of
these entertainers live on at branson
http://www.branson.com/branson/welk/champan.htm
http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/L/htmlL/lawrencewelk/lawrencewelk.htm
http://www.spaceagepop.com/welk.htm

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: Bev and Jerry
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 03:17 PM

We went to the link posted by Bill D. and bubbles started coming out of our computer!

Uh one and uh two....

Bev and Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 03:29 PM

When I was growing up, my dad watched the show religiously. I used to get on his case all the time about it. I would make roll my eyes, make jokes, run out of the room screaming when Lawrence Welk came on.

My dad truly enjoyed the music. What I wouldn't give to tell him how sorry I am for giving him a hard time.   Sure the music was hokey to my ears, but you can't deny someone enjoyment they find in music.

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: Once Famous
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 05:45 PM

Very true, Ron. It was my Grandmother's favorite show and I spent many Sunday nights after family dinners watching the show with her. This was during the era of the folk scare and the British invasion, but this was her music, and I was glad to share music with her.

I look back at it now as a big part of the world's lost innocence.

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: Rabbi-Sol
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 08:07 PM

I remember when he was on twice a week. His other show, sponsored by Dodge was called "The Dodge Dancing Party". The Irish tenor that Mary Garvey was referring to was Joe Feeney. Did you also know that the famous country singer Lynne Anderson got her start on the Lawrence Welk show ? Also, one of the singers, Tanya Tucker, married Welk's son, Larry Jr. They divorced about 2 years ago. SOL ZELLER

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: Cluin
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 08:11 PM

"Smiles, everyone! Smiles!"

Okay, different show, but the same attitude. Welk would fire your ass if you had a hair out of place or didn't smile, no matter what you were singing.

"My momma done tole me...."




SMILE, DAMMIT!

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: Rabbi-Sol
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 08:18 PM

Welk always wanted to present a family image to his viewers and listeners. According to his contract with his musicians, he did not want any divorce situations popping up that would spoil that image. If any of his musicians were having marital problems, Welk had the right to arbitrate between husband and wife. That clause was written into the contract when the musicians were hired. SOL ZELLER

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: Bill D
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 08:30 PM

a short Welk story: (Lawrence was not exactly a 'worldly sort')

They were planning a program about 'folk' music, and Lawrence was telling his producer that there was this cute song he wanted to do.

"What is it, Lawrence?"

"It's called "Roll Her Over in the Clover" (handing him the lyrics)

"Ummm..Lawrence...I don't think you want to do that one."

"Oh, sure I do, it's easy and fun"

"Have you read this, Lawrence?"

"Sure...it's a great song"

"...but, do you know what "Roll her over, lay her down and do it again means?"

"Well, I suppose it means "roll her over again..."

"Trust me on this, Lawrence...you DON'T want to do that song"


........they did NOT do the song.

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: open mike
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 09:42 PM

wunerful, wunerful, wunerful

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: dianavan
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 11:58 PM

I am definitely in the nightmare category. My mother was from the Dakotas and was Scandinavian to boot. She dressed me like the Lennon Sisters and insisted I take accordian lessons. I detested the whole scene. I think Hippies were the back-lash from too much Lawrence. Can you imagine trying to live up to those values?

I have a friend that also lived through the Lawrence experience. We often get together and laugh so hard that tears roll down our cheeks when we think of how that show influenced our parents. We can do some great imitations of those characters. Some day we are going to have a "Welk" party!

I still remember the plastic smiles.

d

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: PoppaGator
Date: 28 Sep 04 - 01:18 AM

I've since learned to respect Pete Fountain as a great musician and an even greater character, but when I first heard of him, I automatically disrespected him because he was the new regular on the Lawrence Welk Show!

His stint with Welk really made Pete's career, introducing him to a nationwide audience. Later, Pete served for many years as one of the most frequently-invited-back guests on Johnny Carson's Tonight show -- considerably hipper!

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: Dewey
Date: 28 Sep 04 - 01:26 AM

CarolC,

Yes I remember watching the show live in the 1970's as a kid. Grandpa and Grandma watched it religiously, and used to call various members of the family to inform them that THE show was "ON".

I hated the show as a kid, the Grandparents would force me to watch it, while I was there.

My Mom and Dad, (in their younger days of parenting) used to force me to watch Billy Graham in a similar manner. (This of course they would say, was for my own GOOD :-)

Billy's ministry in the 70's was much more loud and preachy than it is Today (i.e Franklin Graham). The Lawrence Welk Show, however, never did change much in it style or excitement, no matter how many years went by, which ironically was probably the secret to the show's success.

Also I think the Billy Graham Ministries and Lawrence Welk Show worked together to promote a "moral" direction in T.V. programming (if I am not mistaken).

Lawrence mentioned the Billy Graham crusade many times in his programming at the time, and also used gospel music regulary in the performances.

It was a much more quiet/clean time then for the entertainment world, and there was more respect for what was and wasn't supposed to be done on television.

The Lawrence Show came on opposite of He Haw back then. All the T.V. shows of the time were in bright colors. Floor model Counsel TV's tuned to full hue were the ultimate standard.

I am from North Dakota. So,I remember the Lawrence Welk Show on a cold winter's night at Grandma's house: 30 below zero, an old gas parlor stove, a large two knob, tube style, glow in the dark, counsel T.V. set, an old creeky wood floor; and, Grandma's enthusiam for the show (my punishment).

I even remember Grandpa calling up Great Grandma WEEKLY to remind her that the show was "ON".

He would simply say, "It's On" She would reply, OK and hang up the phone to go watch.

It was truly amazing, the bahavior of these seniors of that era, and the hypnotic spell Lawrence apparently cast on them all in on sitting.

Directly or Indirectly the effect was always the same. (Makes me wonder if Lawrence himself might actually have been incarnated as the real devil, in disguise, secretly fooling and controlling the masses, with family values and good taste-:)

Dewey

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: Cluin
Date: 28 Sep 04 - 01:44 AM

Remember Ed Sullivan? Everybody had to watch that all the time too.

And Laugh-In.

And, in Canada, Don Messer's Jubilee.

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: Dewey
Date: 28 Sep 04 - 02:04 AM

Too Young To Remeber Ed Sullivan. Was 4 years old during Laugh Ins, but Lawrence was/is a very, very, vivid memory.

Don't think people today will every relate to variety shows/skits in primetime slots.

Too Lacking of the necessary shock and filth to gain the required following.


Dewey

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 28 Sep 04 - 02:27 AM

Didn't he fire the original Champagne Lady - Alice Lom (?) for not having her dress long enough, and showing a little too much leg?
Guess Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake won't make the cut in the auditions for the new version of the program.
I loved the show, by the way and still do.

Seamus

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: Metchosin
Date: 28 Sep 04 - 02:33 AM

Lawrence Welk was about as interesting as a loaf of Wonderbread.

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: Metchosin
Date: 28 Sep 04 - 02:49 AM

In fact I'm inclined to agree with Milton Berle, who once turned to George Burns, noted for smoking cheap cigars and said, "You must be smoking one of those Lawrence Welk cigars."

"What's a Lawrence Welk cigar?" asked Burns

"A piece of shit with a band around it!"

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: Metchosin
Date: 28 Sep 04 - 03:13 AM

What is the difference between a moose and the Lawrence Welk Band?

A moose has horns in the front and the asshole in back.

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: Metchosin
Date: 28 Sep 04 - 03:23 AM

How about some classic Welkisms:

To the accordionist:
"You go over there and play the accordion. I'll stay here and beat off the band."

Asking the guitarist to accompany a guest vocalist:
"Get behind her over here, and give her a nice feel."

Inviting the Wisconsin Cheese Queen in the audience to come up on stage and dance:
"Come up here and let us see you cut the cheese."

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: Dewey
Date: 28 Sep 04 - 03:54 AM

Or Lawrence's rehearsal session:

Telling a Guitarist accompanying a young female singer reguarding his playing style :

"Get right behind her and give her a nice feel"

Lot's of Welkisms online, as well and the Lawrence Welk episode guide on PBS. It tells this weeks up and coming episode (re-run). Available from the Oklahoma Network. Only the network doesn't seem to properly update this guide which used to be quite accurate.

Dewey

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: M.Ted
Date: 28 Sep 04 - 01:03 PM

Rabbi Sol, Dewey, you are my kindred spirits--I watched the Lawrence Welk Show, growing up, back when it was still on ABC--it was real music, played by real (and really great) musicians, and the un-hippness of it all was really the best--

Anyone who thinks that there was anything second rate about the music can't hear very well--the band could play anything--George Cates, the longtime musical director, had played in sweet bands during the thirties and forties and was an executive at Coral Records in the 50's where he produced a number of hits for the Andrews Sisters, among others--a lot of the players had worked with the top bands and/or were LA studio musicians--

I loved it when the gave the "Champagne" treatment to a song--which on many occasions, slipped into true musical dementia-- occasionally, it seemed clear that the Welk folks were aware of it--

I heard the guys in "Brave Combo" talk about how the used to listen to all this stuff because they thought it was so far out that it was funny--and in time realized that they actually liked it better than the music that was supposed to be cool--me too--

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: Rabbi-Sol
Date: 28 Sep 04 - 01:27 PM

Seamus,
         The Champagne lady you were referring to was Alice Lon, not Lom. Unfortunately, she passed away at an early age.
   
One of my favorites was the Mexican female vocalist, Annacani. I believe she was the token Hispanic on the show just like Arthur Duncan was the token African American. Both of them are still with the Welk show in Branson.
                                          SOL ZELLER

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: radriano
Date: 28 Sep 04 - 04:10 PM

The Lawrence Welk Show was the perfect crap for television. Plastic smiles all around, a make-believe world of white-washed pablum music that I found revolting even as a child.

Why did so many people like it? Who knows. Why do so many people like "reality shows" these days. Most of what's on TV is crap - and the general public eats it up and asks for more.

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: Blackcatter
Date: 28 Sep 04 - 05:43 PM

In the early 1970s Bob Ralston (the organist) was made a weekly visit to my home to teach me and my mom the organ. We had a Wurlitzer with 4 keyboards. That was the first instrument I ever learned to play.

He was very nice and it took awhile before I realized that he was the same guy who played on TV every week. My mom never talked about the show with him and I can't recall that he ever brought it up himself. I don't think I knew ehe was famous until we went to see him give a concert at a local piano/organ store. There were over 1000 people in the audience.

Remember that one of the cdances - Bobby - was one of the original Mousketeers. Talk about being a part of white bread America.

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: mg
Date: 28 Sep 04 - 05:47 PM

Why do people like it? Where else can you hear polkas on T.V.? And good ones I might add. It was soul music to me growing up Irish Catholic (half) in a Scandinavian corner of the world. mg

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: PoppaGator
Date: 28 Sep 04 - 05:48 PM

Let's get one thing straight -- some of us may have loved Welk and his show while others found them horribly trite and corny, BUT:

Any musician who got a job in that band could PLAY.

Lawrence Welk was very popular, even before he was on national television (how else did he GET on TV?), and the band always got plenty of top-paying work. There had to have been some really stiff competition for every spot.

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: Metchosin
Date: 29 Sep 04 - 01:19 AM

popular? so was Barry Manilow. Which says something about the taste of the average North American.

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: mg
Date: 29 Sep 04 - 03:03 AM

why should taste matter at least enough to be rude about it? If it doesn't hurt anyone, and it sounds like it might have a bit if people were forced to listen to it, and people got enjoyment out of it after a long day milking cows or whatever, so what? mg

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: Joe Offer
Date: 29 Sep 04 - 03:33 AM

I guess this was the last show I watched with my mom when I was visiting in March. Her mind's too far gone with dementia now, so I suppose I won't be watching anything with her any more.

Funny thing. We kids watched it with my dad when we were young, but my mom was too sophisticated to bother with it. The show was part of my growing up, so I suppose I'll always enjoy watching it every once in a while. Sure is a corny show, though.

-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 29 Sep 04 - 09:15 AM

Was he a native of Barton-Upon-Humber? If he was, I bet Oaklet knows him. Probably lent him £57 some time or other.

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: Metchosin
Date: 29 Sep 04 - 01:02 PM

Mary, I have nothing against the polka, I have danced many, some to the point of collapse. LOL. I also love the accordion played well; Jimmy Shand can bring tears to my eyes and a shanty session is richer for the occasional inclusion of a concertina (my grandfather was a master of the instrument), but, even as a child, the Lawrence Welk Show made my skin crawl. There was something then that I perceived as decidedly perverse about it and still do. If people, including some of my elderly relatives get enjoyment from it, that is their choice, but as is obvious, not mine. BG

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: M.Ted
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 10:55 AM

If there is something that makes you uncomfortable about Lawrence Welk, Metchosin, there are whole sections of America you'd better avoid--

I especially like the way that they gave the "Champagne" treatment to current hits--I never saw it, but several friends claim to have seen the Lovely Lennon Sisters sing, "One Toke Over the Line"--

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: PoppaGator
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 12:26 PM

M.Ted, your friends must be pulling your leg. If not -- if their story is true -- I would be greatly disenchanted.

By the time that song was writen and recorded, I *think* the LLS had retired, i.e., grown up and gone on to become wives and mothers.

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: M.Ted
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 06:36 PM

I don't know, PG, I have heard it mentioned a few times, by unconnected people--by now, I can hear them singing it in my head, particularly the line, "Who do you love? I hope it's me!"

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: Metchosin
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 08:47 PM

M.Ted, I'll try. Perhaps those areas are full of people similar to an elderly relatve, still an ardent Welk fan, who we took out to dinner to a resturant recently.

During the course of the meal, she piped up in a very, loud, chirpy voice, that echoed throughout the establishment, "I don't watch too much televison anymore.....there are too many ni**ers on it now!

Of course she does suffer from senile dementia, but at that moment I wished I was definitely someplace else too, in mind as well as body.

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: Dewey
Date: 01 Oct 04 - 03:42 AM

I'd like to set the record straight so I am not perceived as being rude to those who enjoy the actual music of the show.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with Polka when you are playing Polka tunes. But Lawrence was fearless in his interpretations of the various genres.

He would easily attempt to do Elvis Presley, the Beatles, even Disco, SCANDINAVIAN STYLE if given the opportunity.

I am not making fun of German Polka music or other Scandinavian Genres, They sound absolutely wonder when done to Scandinavian compositions.

What made Lawrence so bizarre and seemingly entertaining was how he could take a style of music Country, Rock and Roll, Folk etc, and MUTATE IT to the Lawrence way of performance.

I'm Sorry folks but some music was never met to be done that way, and most musicians know this to be a fact. The fact that it was done this way, and the same way, all of the time with WRECKLESS ABANDONMENT FOR THE ORGINAL INTENT is what made the show so laughable.

Like the T-shirt your get for donating blood, one size fits all: no matter what size you are, or who you are. WYSIWYG!

The man was a fearless god of simple cookie-cutter corny entertainment, and I have to admit I loved it! but probably for the wrong reasons.

But, I will not confess too openly (outside the internet) WHY I love Lawrence Welk, for the sake and respect of the Scandanavian Population that would otherwise probably beat me to death (The North Dakota native that I am)

Sorry to any Scandinavian that enjoys the show. It IS great music, whenever it is being performed seriously; but, it is even GREATER entertainment regaurdless of how it is performed.

Dewey

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: M.Ted
Date: 01 Oct 04 - 10:18 AM

Dewey has got it right--the WRECKLESS ABANDONMENT FOR THE ORGINAL INTENT is absolutely amazing, it is completely surrealistic, and even transcendental--an absurd juxtaposition so intense that it allows us, for a brief moment, to experience the ineffable--

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: Metchosin
Date: 01 Oct 04 - 11:21 AM

I will agree there, truly the music was ineffable, but the show was not. It was and is effing crrrap.

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: M.Ted
Date: 01 Oct 04 - 10:52 PM

Good one, Metchosin--wunnaful, wunnaful!

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: dianavan
Date: 02 Oct 04 - 04:04 AM

Thanks to the four above for re-affirming my sanity.

As a child I didn't buy that fantasy for one minute but there I was, a little half-breed with pig-tails and an accordian just like the Lennon sister. Can you imagine? It was pretty strange. But then again, you have to remember the era.

Nat King Cole, Liberace, That crazy Danish piano-comedian, Jose Jimenez, Ozzie and Harriet and of course, McCarthy.

No wonder I went back to the land.

d

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: GUEST,Ron
Date: 05 Oct 04 - 02:59 PM

Someone mentioned that Lawrence's son married Tanya Tucker....WHOA!!

He married Tanya FALAN, a gorgeous dark haired Italian singer who can do it today as well as she did back then!! Her NAME is TANYA FALAN WELK ROBERTS......

There has never been and there isn't now....any program on TV that is as wholesome and entertaining as the Welk Show...and this is the 50th
anniversary of that show ON THE AIR. Can you name any others that have lasted so long and remain so popular?

The Welk Show brings in more pledge dollars for PBS than ANY OTHER show or series that they carry...

If today's kids were sitting with their parents or grandparents listening to this kind of music we wouldn't have so many delinquents in this world...

Ron

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: PoppaGator
Date: 05 Oct 04 - 03:07 PM

"That crazy Danish piano-comedian" -- Victor Borge, a truly funny guy and a very quirky talent. I don't remember him as a guest on Lawrence Welk, specifically, but he was all over the TV in the 50s, guesting on many programs (probably including Ed Sullivan, etc.)

Thanks, dianavan, for shaking that memory loose for me!

Subject: RE: BS: I Love Lawrence Welk!
From: Rabbi-Sol
Date: 05 Oct 04 - 04:48 PM

Tanya Falan it was. I stand corrected. However, Lawrence Welk, who was so much against divorce, is probalbly turning over in his grave, now that his son, Larry,and Tayna are divorced. SOL ZELLER