The current line-up of the Lennon Sisters is a trio consisting of Mimi, Janet and Kathy. In 1999, younger sister Mimi (born Miriam Theresa October 16, 1955) replaced Peggy upon her retirement. Welk was a strict taskmaster, demanding from his performers hard work, thrift and self-discipline. Those still living include: Sharon Baird (now 70), Bobby Burgess (71), Lonnie Burr (69), Tommy Cole (71), Darlene Gillespie (71), Cubby O’Brien (66), Karen Pendleton (66) and Doreen Tracey (70). Repackaged as “Memories With Lawrence Welk,” the show has been appearing on public television on Sunday afternoons since 1987. Nationality United States Occupation Singer, dancer Born Robert Wilkie Burgess Long Beach, California, U.S. Who were the dancers on the Lawrence Welk Show?īobby Burgess Burgess with dance partner Cissy King and Lawrence Welk, 1969. Who was the piano player on Lawrence Welk Show? Lawrence Welk, (born March 11, 1903, Strasburg, N.D., U.S.-died May 17, 1992, Santa Monica, Calif.), American bandleader and accordion player, whose effervescent brand of “champagne music” was featured for more than 30 years on his successful show, one of the longest-running programs on television (1955–71).
#Who from the lawrence welk cast are still living series#
The series aired locally in Los Angeles for four years, from 1951 to 1955, then nationally for another 16 years on ABC from 1955 to 1971, followed by 11 years in first-run syndication from 1971 to 1982. The Lawrence Welk Show was an American televised musical variety show hosted by big band leader Lawrence Welk. He was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, in Culver City, California. He died on May 17 in his Santa Monica apartment, surrounded by his family. Welk completely retired from all public appearances in 1992 at the age of 89. After their divorce in 1984, the singers embarked on solo musical careers, with Hovis leaving music in 1990 to work as state director for Mississippi senator Trent Lott. How old is Arthur Duncan from the Lawrence Welk Show?Īrthur Duncan (born September 25, 1933) is an American tap dancer, known for his stint as a performer on The Lawrence Welk Show from 1964 to 1982, which made him the first African-American regular on a variety television program. Singing as a duo, Ralna English and Guy Hovis performed together regularly on The Lawrence Welk Show from 1970 to 1982. “After that he agreed to pay us solo scale, $210 a week. “We worked at group scale, which was $110 a week, for 10 years,” Kathy Lennon recalled. Still others left the show over money disputes with Welk, who paid the minimum union scale to his cast. How much did Lawrence Welk pay his performers?