By David "Chet" Williamson Sneade
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| Norman Bailey |
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| Russ Klein |
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| The Lawrence Welk Orchestra |
NORMAN
BAILEY
Bailey
joined the Welk orchestra in 1952 and remained with the institution
until 1973. He was born on February 6, 1913 and began playing his
first jobs at a 13 years-old with a five dollar trumpet. He was a
graduate of Becker Jr. College in Worcester. His first band of note was the Jerry
Goodwin Orchestra, a general business ensemble that played all the
local hotels and nightclubs, as well as at weddings and functions.
In
1934, he joined the Freddy Martin band and played lead trumpet.
Martin’s group came to prominence in 1940. According to Internet
Movie Database (IMDb), he was best known “for his hit songs adapted
from classical themes, his many hits on RCA Victor and Capitol
records included "Cumana," "The Hut-Sut Song,"
"Bumble Boogie," adapted from Rimsky-Korsakov's "Flight
of the Bumblebee," and his theme song, "Tonight We Love,"
adapted from the first movement of Tchaikovsky's First Piano
Concerto.”
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| The Freddy Martin Band |
The
Martin band played many of the best hotels in New York City’s,
including the Bossert Hotel, Roosevelt, and the Ritz-Carlton. The
band also played the Coconut Grove in Los Angeles and Martin is
credited with the distinction of being the musical director for Elvis
Presley's first Las Vegas performance.
Bailey
remained with Martin until 1951. He then stepped away from music
taking a position at Northrup Aircraft where he worked on missle
development. A year later he received a call to join the Lawrence
Welk Orchestra. At the time the group was broadcast from the Aragon
Park from Ocean Park, CA over station KTLA. Later it would be picked
up for syndication by ABC and aired nationally.
According
to the site, welkmusicalfamily.com, Bailey’s trumpet playing was
the stuff of legend. There are tales stating that he was so good,
“never had to practice.” He was known as ‘Iron Lips,’ “mainly
because he never got tired …. If there was ever the standard-bearer
of excellent trumpet players from the Welk orchestra, Norman Bailey
would fit the bill.”
Bailey’s
playing has been featured on countless Welk’s shows. His most
memorable and best documented solos include his performances of
“Sugar Blues” and “Hot Lips.”
Bailey
left the show in 1973 and gave one of his trumpets to Johnny Zell,
one of his protégés, who first auditioned for Welk at the age of
15. He would later become a member of the orchestra.
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| Johnny Zell and Bailey |
The Welk family website also noted that Bailey had two daughters. “One of them, Janice, made several guest appearances on the show where she displayed her talents as a singer. He was also good friends with the Lennon Sisters and their family, and until he left in 1973, was truly a professional and reliable music maker for all.”
Bailey
died in Los Angeles on July 11, 1984. He was 71.
RUSS
KLEIN
Klein
was born in Worcester on July 23, 1917. According to the Welk family
site, he first started playing the woodwinds at age 11, and turned
professional at the age of 14. Like Bailey, Klein came to national
attention with the Freddie Martin band.
Billboard
magazine in the column, “On The Stand,” which covered “orchestras
playing hotels, nightclubs, ballroom locations and one nighters”
reviewed a Freddy Martin show at the Coconut Grove in the Ambassador
Hotel, Los Angeles (June of 1946 – both Bailey and Klein were in
the band at the time). “It takes only a quick listen to know why
the Martin work is in the six consecutive year at this way hotel
spot,” the Billboard
writer said. “Crew is tops and dishing out smooth tempi for dancing
and listening ….
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| Klein, third from left, front row, clarinet |
“Band’s
wide library range includes everything from oldies, such as ‘Ten
for Two’ to ‘Warsaw Concerto,’ generous smatterings of novelty
ditties, current ballads and occasional south-of-the-border tunes
complete well rounded fair. Arrangements generally showcase sections
rather than instrumentals. Ork work is smooth, effortless and
reflects confidence built up after five years working together in one
spot.”
The
Martin band was heard on such radio shows as “The Elizabeth Arden
Show,” “The Maybellene Show” and “The Campbell Soup Show.”
Klein can be heard with Martin on such albums as The Uncollected
Freddy Martin, Mr. Silvertone and Classic and Boogie Woogie: The
Original Recordings. In
the 1950s, Klein played on both the Red Skelton Show and with David
Rose.
Among
his studio credits include solo work on Chubby Checker’s “The
Twist.” His working group played in the Brazilian Room the Beverly-Wilshire Hotel.
Here’s
a clip of the tune –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbK0C9AYMd8&list=PL1282459367E3A329
In 1957, Klein joined the ranks of the Welk band, as part of his “Music Makers.” He is credited with modernizing the orchestra’s sound with his “jazzy sound and superb musicianship” and before his stint was up, Welk often referred to Klein as "the greatest saxophone player in the world." He was also considered one of the best improvisers ever to play in the band.
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| Klein and Peanuts Hucko |
The Lawrence Welk Show was one of the longest and successful shows in television history. The first episode aired in July of 1955. The final show was broadcast on April 17, 1982.
Explaining
its success, writer Todd Vanderworff said: “Welk didn’t want to
challenge his audience, really, but he benefited from networks that
wanted arts programming and thought he came close enough. What Welk
wanted, most of all, was to present a good time, a fizzy party that
would never end, filled with his light and bubbly Champagne Music.
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| Welk |
“Watching
the early episodes of “The Lawrence Welk Show” — before the
series was overwhelmed by the cheesy musical skits that dominate the
program in the public imagination — is watching a culture
struggling to hold onto itself in the face of a coming youth
movement.”
As
conservative and old fashioned as he was, Lawrence Welk was the first
variety show host to regularly employ a black performer, the tap
dancer, Arthur Duncan.
Klein
started with the band playing alto saxophone and first clarinet. He
would later move to tenor. And with the Hotsy Totsy Boys on the
show, Klein played curved soprano. According to the Welk family
website, Klein is credited with helping to "modernize" the
“Champagne Music” style with his “jazzy sound and superb
musicianship.” In his tenure, Klein got to trade licks with among
others, Peanuts Hucko, Pete Fountain and Al Hirt.
The
Welk bands had a reputation for being well-rehearsed machines of
precision. In
his autobiography, Ah-One, Ah-Two! Life With My Musical Family,
he wrote extensively about his disciplinary tactics and strategies.
Once a musician joined the “family,” they were expected to play
for him, exclusively. With the demands of a weekly television show,
constant rehearsing, and touring, it left little room for much else.
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| Welk sax section |
Klein
was married three times and had one child. His third wife was Lois
Lamont, Welk’s long-time personal secretary. The couple were
together nearly 20 years. Klein’s
worked with Welk ended in 1982 -- when the show ended. He died in
Simi Valley, California on February 10, 1996. He was 78.
Note:
This is a work in progress. Comments, corrections, and suggestions
are always welcome at: walnutharmonicas@gmail.com. Also
see:www.worcestersongs.blogspot.com
Thank
you.
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