Lawrence Welk

He died from pneumonia in Santa Monica, California at the age of 89, and is buried in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Culver City, California. As a side note he is the older brother of Powerman 5000 vocalist Spider One. When he was asked about his ancestry, he replied always with "Alsace-Lorraine, Germany" (although this was totally wrong). The Devil's Rejects, his latest film, is to be released in August 12th, 2005. Welk is said to have learned English only when he was already an adult because he always spoke German at home. Most, if not all, original artwork on his CDs are his own creations. A resort community in Escondido, California is named after Welk. In Beavis and Butthead Do America, Beavis' hallucination scene was created by Rob Zombie.

His band continues to appear in a dedicated theater in Branson, Missouri even though Welk is now deceased. He had previously written a script for Crow 3 which was never used. Welk's California automobile license plate read A1ANA2, referencing his trademark count-off before each number, "A one, and a two...". The 2003 release of House of 1000 Corpses marked his feature film directorial debut. One of his sons ended up marrying fellow Lawrence Welk Show performer Tanya Falan. Even the name White Zombie came from an old horror movie of the same name. He was married for over sixty years, until his death, to Fern Renner, who bore him three children. He has utilized many audio clips from movies in his music.

Welk's instrumental cover of the song "Yellow Bird" was a hit. He is well known as a huge science fiction and horror movie fanatic. One notable showcase was his album with the noted jazz saxophonist Johnny Hodges. He has also done solo recordings; one of his songs, "Dragula", was used in The Matrix. His band was well-disciplined and had excellent arrangements in all styles. Rob Zombie (born Rob Cummings on 12 January 1966) is best known as founder, lead singer and songwriter for White Zombie. Welk was noted for spotlighting individual members of his band and show.

The reputation for "corny music" notwithstanding, his musicians were always top quality, including accordionist Myron Floren and New Orleans Dixieland clarinetist Pete Fountain. During one show Welk brought a cameraman out to dance with one of the ladies and took over the camera himself. Welk often took ladies from the audience for a turn around the dance floor. His TV show was recorded as if it were live and was sometimes quite free-wheeling.

Although born in the United States, he spoke with a slight but notable European accent that many, especially ladies, found to be quite appealing. Much of the show's appeal was Welk himself. This strategy proved commercially successful. Welk's television program had a policy to only play well known songs and tunes from previous years, so that the target audience would only hear numbers that they were already familiar with.

The show was first aired nationally on ABC in 1955. That same year, he began producing The Lawrence Welk Show on KTLA in Los Angeles. In 1952, Welk settled in Los Angeles, California. This gig turned into a 10 year stint, drawing crowds of nearly 7000 on a regular basis.

In the early 1940s the band travelled to California for a six-week engagement at the Avalon Ballroom. The band performed in many places across the country, particularly in the Chicago area. During the 1930s, Welk led a travelling big band, specializing in dance tunes and 'sweet' music. His band was the station band for popular radio station WNAX in Yankton, South Dakota.

In the 1920s Welk lead a big band played engagments in eastern South Dakota area. His "Champagne Music" has been considered the epitome of "square". His show was warm and family-oriented. His music was conservative, concentrating mostly on pop song standards, polkas, and novelty songs, delivered in a smooth, calming, good-humored easy listening style.

He was born in Strasburg, North Dakota to Russian German parents. Lawrence Welk (March 11, 1903—May 17, 1992) was a musician, accordion player, band leader, and television impresario.