Not quite all of the people but that’s what was on our TV Saturday nights. I remember the new ’57 Dodges being announced in the Fall of ’56. Back then, when they sang the closing song, “Hope You Had a Happy Time,” Larry Hooper with the deep voice always added, “Dodge had a good time too!”
Wow! He is truly a plugger. I still love the music of Frank, Patti, Nat, Doris, Glen and all the great musicians of the forties and fifties; but I was so glad to see Rock ’n Roll push Lawrence off the scene.
There was an older male singer, good-looking, with silver hair, who was very popular. LW said they got more letters about him than anybody else on the show. He was so popular with the ladies that the show wouldn’t allow him to sing “love songs” because they’d be buried in mail. I remember he sang “Little White Duck”, but I don’t remember his name. Any guesses?
The Irish tenor, Joe Feeney. My parents watched it every time it was on. And, one grande time, they polka’d in the living room to Myron Floren’s mad, wild accordian playing! I loved “The Lovely Lennon Sisters”. And Larry Hooper, with that deep, deep, DEEP bass voice.
Lawrence Welk is still run locally every Saturday night at 6pm here in our neck of northern MN… my brother’s kids were shocked to find out that THIS was THE Saturday night entertainment for the older people back in the day :-P
Some people love to mock Lawrence Welk and knock his music, but truth is he was a super-successful musician, band-leader and business man in his time. And reruns of his show still air on PBS, making a total of 60+ years on television. Yes, the acts can sometimes be kind of hokey, but all in all, there was an amazing amount of talent on his show. I’m a fan of pretty much all types of music, but basically rock of the late 60s, early 70s, but I still watch the Lawrence Welk show every week, both for the music and for the nostalgia it brings me of a more innocent time and better days watching as a kid with my parents, rest their souls.
Myron did play a mean accordion, and Henry Cuesta played a mean clarinet, also, as well as Big Tiny Little and Joanne Castle on ragtime piano. Oh, yeah.
All excellent musicians. Sadly, Welk was so corny that he tainted swing music forever. Music is a giant smorgasbord and people who only go for rock or country are missing A LOT!
I thought I was a plugger until I read this. Now I know pluggers are REALLY old such as my grandma who used to love LW and all I could think of was “WHY???”
I’m quite fond of Floren’s work (and the back-up musicians, the Soundstage Super Pickers) in his immortal “Disco Polka” LP. From shortly after the day I got it for 99 cents at a Woolco close-out sale, it’s been part of my life’s soundtrack.
Despite the cover picture of him in a white suit, I’m about 99% sure he recorded all his tracks perfectly straight, possibly for some other project or projects. The ‘disco’ part is all in the production work.
Johnny Q Premium Member almost 4 years ago
Remember the version of the show’s theme with the line “It felt so nice, I did it twice”?
wiatr almost 4 years ago
Not quite all of the people but that’s what was on our TV Saturday nights. I remember the new ’57 Dodges being announced in the Fall of ’56. Back then, when they sang the closing song, “Hope You Had a Happy Time,” Larry Hooper with the deep voice always added, “Dodge had a good time too!”
Caldonia almost 4 years ago
Blargh! Good thing rock music was invented!
Breadboard almost 4 years ago
And a One ! …. and a Two ! I think that was the way Welk did it ;-)
Liam Astle Premium Member almost 4 years ago
Pluggers will continue to use Lawrence Welk as a joke long after people who become Pluggers were born after Lawrence Welk aired.
fuzzbucket Premium Member almost 4 years ago
Now you’ve gone too far.
Geophyzz almost 4 years ago
Wow! He is truly a plugger. I still love the music of Frank, Patti, Nat, Doris, Glen and all the great musicians of the forties and fifties; but I was so glad to see Rock ’n Roll push Lawrence off the scene.
pheets almost 4 years ago
My parents lived for Lawrence, right after Ted Mac’s talent hour, before Mitch Miller.. going back WAAY too far : D
A# 466 almost 4 years ago
Check out that gold wristwatch he sports, too!
Display almost 4 years ago
More my speed… https://youtu.be/9FkGBBuBDLA
Dani Rice almost 4 years ago
There was an older male singer, good-looking, with silver hair, who was very popular. LW said they got more letters about him than anybody else on the show. He was so popular with the ladies that the show wouldn’t allow him to sing “love songs” because they’d be buried in mail. I remember he sang “Little White Duck”, but I don’t remember his name. Any guesses?
LadyPeterW almost 4 years ago
The Irish tenor, Joe Feeney. My parents watched it every time it was on. And, one grande time, they polka’d in the living room to Myron Floren’s mad, wild accordian playing! I loved “The Lovely Lennon Sisters”. And Larry Hooper, with that deep, deep, DEEP bass voice.
sheilag almost 4 years ago
Lawrence Welk is still run locally every Saturday night at 6pm here in our neck of northern MN… my brother’s kids were shocked to find out that THIS was THE Saturday night entertainment for the older people back in the day :-P
david_42 almost 4 years ago
Lawrence Welk (aka bubble ears) and Sing Along with Mitch were my dad’s favorite shows. Dad had a great singing voice, none of us kids inherited it.
William Robbins Premium Member almost 4 years ago
I remember Lawrence Welk, a little surprised we still have his fans among us. More power to you.
ctolson almost 4 years ago
Also the original members of the Mickey Mouse club without looking at their shirts or sweaters.
I'll fly away almost 4 years ago
Not me, hated that show.
Big D Premium Member almost 4 years ago
I wonder if Mr. Thornley listened to Polka 1010 am WJSW.
NaturLvr almost 4 years ago
Some people love to mock Lawrence Welk and knock his music, but truth is he was a super-successful musician, band-leader and business man in his time. And reruns of his show still air on PBS, making a total of 60+ years on television. Yes, the acts can sometimes be kind of hokey, but all in all, there was an amazing amount of talent on his show. I’m a fan of pretty much all types of music, but basically rock of the late 60s, early 70s, but I still watch the Lawrence Welk show every week, both for the music and for the nostalgia it brings me of a more innocent time and better days watching as a kid with my parents, rest their souls.
NaturLvr almost 4 years ago
Myron did play a mean accordion, and Henry Cuesta played a mean clarinet, also, as well as Big Tiny Little and Joanne Castle on ragtime piano. Oh, yeah.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnk5BDEFTWg
Jan C almost 4 years ago
I knew in the early days, but as the originals “retired”, I lost track and interest in the replacements.
KEA almost 4 years ago
“Calcutta” was the only thing Lawrence Welk ever did that appealed to me.
ricktaft46 Premium Member almost 4 years ago
All excellent musicians. Sadly, Welk was so corny that he tainted swing music forever. Music is a giant smorgasbord and people who only go for rock or country are missing A LOT!
winamoe almost 4 years ago
The band was very accordion forward: Myron, Lawrence himself, JoAnn Castle, I know I’m leaving some out…
kathleenhicks62 almost 4 years ago
That’s me.
Zuria Premium Member almost 4 years ago
It comes on here in the middle of dinner prep time. My 78 year old, kitchen-useless husband insists on watching it. Threats of divorce don’t work.
Bill D. Kat Premium Member almost 4 years ago
I thought I was a plugger until I read this. Now I know pluggers are REALLY old such as my grandma who used to love LW and all I could think of was “WHY???”
Kip W almost 4 years ago
I’m quite fond of Floren’s work (and the back-up musicians, the Soundstage Super Pickers) in his immortal “Disco Polka” LP. From shortly after the day I got it for 99 cents at a Woolco close-out sale, it’s been part of my life’s soundtrack.
Despite the cover picture of him in a white suit, I’m about 99% sure he recorded all his tracks perfectly straight, possibly for some other project or projects. The ‘disco’ part is all in the production work.
gopher gofer almost 4 years ago
‘hold it, somebody stop the bubble machine…’