Still, Welk had his moments when he loosened up. A clarinet player from his band also left the show when Welk refused to let him "jazz up" a rendition of a Christmas carol. Fans pressured him to rehire Lon, but she wouldn't accept Welk's apology and refused to return. In fact, he fired a singer/dancer named Alice Lon for crossing her legs while sitting atop a desk during one musical sequence, telling his audience on the air that he didn't tolerate "cheesecake" on his show.
The more wholesome, the better, because that was one of Welk's strict requirements. Along with a group of dancers and singers who came to be known as the Welk Family, the musical guests were as far removed from the popular singers of the time (the show started in the 50s, but had its heyday in the 60s and 70s): The Lennon Sisters, Joe Feeney, Lynn Anderson, and Larry Hooper, to name a few. They played songs from World War ONE on this show? See what I mean?įake sets were the norm. Lawrence Welk, a former big band leader, would then appear in his trademark plaid suit and introduce the theme of the show in his German accent, often mispronouncing the words on the cue cards (according to Wikipedia, his once introduced songs from World War I as "songs from World War Eye.") At the opening of each show, bubbles would be seen floating around and the sound of a champagne bottle could be heard being opened. To say The Lawrence Welk Show was corny would be a grave understatement. And now until we meet again.adios, au revoir, auf Wiedersehen.good night!" Here's a wish, and a prayer, that every dream comes true. I still know most of the lyrics to the closing song: "Good night, sleep tight, and pleasant dreams to you. Does anyone else remember this musical variety show? Perhaps you did if you had the misfortune of being babysat by your gramdmother on a Saturday night, as much of its viewer demographics were people over the age of 45. As someone who was born to middle-aged parents (mom was 42 when she got pregnant with me a victim of the low-dose birth control pills they were experimenting with in the early 70s) I may just about be one of the few kids who grew up in the 70s watching the very uncool Lawrence Welk Show.
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