Accordionist and bandleader Lawrence Welk – born in Strasburg, North Carolina on March 11, 1903 – was best known for hosting his own weekly television show for three decades and bringing family-friendly easy listening music into households across the US. Referred to as ‘champagne music,’ Lawrence Welk’s brand of music was sorely out of step with young audiences but proved to be an important and calming source for their older family members. The son of German immigrants, he grew up in the German-speaking community of Strasburg – which explains his accent – he convinced his father to buy him an accordion, which is when he began his musical journey. At the age of 21, he learned to speak English and pursue his career in music. He began by playing several genres not associated with him including jazz and country music. However, his big band work was the most popular and he spent his time playing live and recording for several labels from the late 1920s up through the late 1960s. Relocating to Los Angeles, California in 1951, he began his musical variety show, The Lawrence Welk Show. Originally a local show, it proved to be so popular that ABC picked it up in 1955. His light / easy listening proved to be very popular for families and Lawrence Welk became a household name all across the country. Even in the face of rock and roll and other musical styles, Lawrence Welk’s music and television show was a calming break from tumultuous times during the 1960s. He left Dot Records in 1967 and co-founded Ranwood Records, which would reissue many of his older albums as well as release new recordings from him and other artists he signed to the label. Throughout his career, Lawrence Welk recorded many albums and charted numerous times in the Top 20 with songs like “Colorado Sunset” (1938), “I Won’t Tell a Soul” (1938), “The Moon is a Silver Dollar” (1939), “Don’t Sweetheart Me” (1944), “Oh Happy Day” (1953), and the number 1 1960 hit “Calcutta.” In 1971, ABC cancelled The Lawrence Welk Show, and he syndicated the show and continued to make new episodes until 1982 when he retired from performing. Lawrence Welk died on May 17, 1992, at the age of 89.
