Musical programs on television were a great form of entertainment in the recent past. They often featured vocalists, with a backup provided by a pianist, small or large ensemble, or an orchestra or band. Some of the most famous popular singers were: Perry Como, Dinah Shore, Dean Martin, Bing Crosby, and Frank Sinatra, among many others.
Variety shows became popular on television, presenting different musical styles only heard on radio or stage before television. Variety shows had big name recognition by well-known music directors, interesting hosts and talented stars. These names will surely bring back memories for those who lived in this era: Skitch Henderson, Mitch Miller, Liberace, Doc Severinsen and Lawrence Welk, were just a few. These were all great musicians during the 1950s through the 1970s and 1980s.
Skitch Henderson (1918-2005) His place of birth has been disputed for years. Some say a small town in Minnesota and some claim England was his true birthplace. Regardless of where he was born, he left a legacy of musical excellence in whatever capacity he was engaged. Henderson was a pianist, conductor, arranger and composer. He was raised on a farm by his aunt who taught him piano.
After World War II he worked for NBC Radio. Henderson was the music director for Frank Sinatra’s “Lucky Strike Show” and also Sinatra’s “Light-Up Time.” He was also on the “Philco Hour” with Bing Crosby. Arturo Toscanini, the great Italian maestro, invited Henderson to conduct the famous NBC Symphony.
Henderson was the original conductor for both “The Tonight Show,” with founding host, Steve Allen. During Henderson’s life he received three honorary degrees. He was also given New York City’s highest award—The Handel Medallion. Henderson died in 2005 at the age of 87.
Mitch Miller (1911-2010) was an oboist, conductor, producer and recording industry executive. Miller was a classically trained musician and in 1932 graduated from the Eastman School of Music with honors. He played with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra.
In 1938, Miller played in the orchestra that provided the music for Orson Wells’ classic radio production of “The War of the Worlds.” His television program “Sing Along with Mitch,” was on NBC from 1961 to 1964. On this show he directed a choral group singing old standards and encouraged the audience to sing-along. Prior to his television show he was on radio with a show called, “Mitch Miller and the Gang.” This was also a sing-along. Leslie Uggams was a regular singer on Miller’s television show that featured old-time favorites as an alternative to Rock-n-Roll.
Miller’s career had many facets, as he was a classic music producer for Mercury Records and later joined Columbia Records doing the same type of work. He helped the careers of Doris Day, Dinah Shore and Jo Stafford. Miller discovered Aretha Franklin.
He did not like Rock-n-Roll and described it as the “Gettysburg of music.” Miller favored emotional expression over vocal perfection. He conducted many orchestras and was guest conductor of the famed Boston Pops Orchestra.
Miller’s own medley from the movie, Bridge on the River Kwai featured The River Kwai March and the Colonel Bogey March. These songs were so popular, they were on the Billboard Charts for 29 weeks in 1958. Miller died in 2010 at the age of 99.
Doc Severinsen (1927-2018) was born in Arlington, Oregon. His father was a dentist and that is how his son got his nick-name, Doc. Severinsen became very proficient on the trumpet at an early age and later, won a state trumpet contest. He became known as one of the greatest jazz and pop trumpeters in the country.
In 1949 Severinsen got a job as a studio musician working with Steve Allen, Eddie Fisher, Dinah Shore and Kate Smith. Skitch Henderson, leader of The Tonight Show Band, asked Severinsen to be first chair trumpet. Five years later he became the band’s leader. The Tonight Band became one of the most famous and well-known “Big Bands” in the United States. Severinsen and Johnny Carson became close and he often substituted for Ed McMahon as Johnny’s side-kick. He continued as leader of the band until Carson retired in 1992.
Severinsen was a Pops conductor for several orchestras including the Phoenix Symphony, Buffalo Philharmonic and the Minnesota Orchestra. Severinsen retired from conducting in 2007. During his career he played with Charlie Barnet, Tommy Dorsey and Benny Goodman.
Liberace (1919-1987) was born in Wisconsin to a musical family and became a child prodigy on the piano. Later he became a pianist, singer and actor. By far his forte was as a pianist. He won a scholarship to the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music.
Liberace’s career spanned four decades. As a teenager he played at movie theaters and speakeasys. He debuted with the Chicago Symphony at the age of 17. Later, when he became famous and had his own television show, he lived a life of luxury and excess. He often dressed in elaborate sequined suits and costumes and wore lots of jewelry. From the 1950s through the 1970s he was the highest payed entertainer in the world.
Liberace not only gave concerts and made recordings but appeared in several movies and later had a popular television show. His television shows featured composers, musicians and many styles of music. On television he played classical and popular favorites. He always had his “trademark candelabra” on his piano and often featured his brother, George, on violin.
The Liberace Show was on from 1952 to 1969. He wrote an autobiography in 1972 that became a bestseller. “One of Liberace’s biggest accomplishments was his ability to turn a recital into a show full of music, glitter and personality,” wrote Gilbert Lee in an article about Liberace. In the 1970s it was reported that he spent $100,000 on his costumes yearly.
He was diagnosed with AIDS in 1985 – this was kept secret until his death. His final performance was in Radio City Music Hall in New York, November 2, 1986. He closed his show with the song “I’ll Be Seeing You.”
Lawrence Welk (1903-1992) was a musician who played accordion, a band leader, and a television personality. Welk was born in Strasburg, North Dakota to a German – American family. He grew up speaking German and English. Welk asked his father to buy a mail-order accordion and that started his musical career. At 21 he left the family farm to work in the music industry. In 1927 he graduated from the MacPhail School of Music in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The term, “Champagne Music” came from an early job at the William Penn Hotel in Pittsburg. Here his music was termed “light and bubbly” as champagne. From 1949 to 1951 Welk had a national program on radio sponsored by Miller High Life–The Champagne of Bottled Beer.
From 1955 to 1982 he hosted one of the longest running shows on television–27 years. The show was a tremendous success and had a huge following. He featured singers, soloists, dancers and small ensembles as well as his famous orchestra. The Lennon Sisters were often featured as well as the “Champagne Lady,” Norma Zimmer. People made fun of Welk’s accent, but he didn’t care as he made his way happily to the bank.
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