Any young people reading this article and the words “Wunnerful, Wunnerful”, will say… what is he talking about? But all of us old codgers will know that the magic words “Wunnerful, Wunnerful” meant that the Lawrence Welk Show was on the air.
Lawrence Welk had born in a German speaking immigrant community in North Dakota. He didn’t learn English until he was 21, which led to that distinct, noticeable German accent. His catchphrases like “Wunnerful, wunnerful!” and “A-one, an’ a-two!” became a signature part of his homespun persona and America loved him.
Welk played the accordion – not exactly the world’s favorite instrument, but he played it well and had quite a knack for luring great talents to his show such as Joe Feeney, a world class Irish Tenor and Arthur Duncan who could tap dance with the very best. Bobby Burgess and Sissy King formed one of the most popular dancing duos in all of television history. And all the young men of that era waited eagerly for the Lennon Sisters to perform. Janet, the youngest, was extra cute.
The Lawrence Welk orchestra performed timeless classics and featured outstanding soloists on the clarinet, piano, harp and saxophone. It was entertainment at its very finest.
The show hit the airwaves on ABC in 1955 and was must-see TV until 1971. When it went into syndication from 1971 until 1982, it consistently had higher ratings than the regular broadcasts.
Nothing on television today comes close to the quality of entertainment delivered on a weekly basis on the Lawrence Welk Show.
