Lawrence Welk
The North Dakota Music Hall of Fame proudly inducts Lawrence Welk, a legendary bandleader and television host whose contributions to American music and entertainment have left a lasting legacy. Born on March 11, 1903, in the German-speaking community of Strasburg, North Dakota, Welk’s journey from a humble farm boy to a national icon is a story of perseverance, talent, and dedication.
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Lawrence Welk was the sixth of eight children born to Ludwig and Christiana Welk. Growing up on a farm in Strasburg, North Dakota, Lawrence helped with the daily chores, which included growing crops and raising chickens and cows. Music was an integral part of his family life, with his father often performing at local barn dances with his accordion. One of Lawrence’s earliest memories was his excitement at being allowed to press the keys of his father’s accordion, sparking a lifelong passion for music.
At the age of 17, Lawrence made a deal with his father: he would remain on the family farm until he was 21 if his father would buy him a $400 accordion. After fulfilling this promise, Lawrence left home in 1924 with just three dollars, a new jacket, and his prized accordion, ready to pursue a career in music.
Forming the Band and Early Success
Welk toured with various bands before forming his own, initially called the Lawrence Welk Novelty Orchestra. The band underwent several name changes, including the Hotsy Totsy Boys and the Honolulu Fruit Gum Orchestra, reflecting the evolving musical styles they explored. In 1924, while en route to New Orleans, the band stopped in Yankton, South Dakota, where they auditioned for and were hired by WNAX radio. This opportunity provided the band with regular exposure and helped establish their popularity.
It was also in Yankton that Welk met Fern Renner, a local nurse. The two married in 1931 and had three children: Shirley, Donna, and Lawrence Jr.
The Birth of “Champagne Music”
In 1938, during a performance at the Saint Paul Hotel in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a listener famously described Welk’s music as “effervescent, like champagne.” This description led to the band being dubbed the “Champagne Music Makers,” a name that would become synonymous with Welk’s smooth and bubbly style of music.
Television Stardom with The Lawrence Welk Show
The band’s first televised performance came in 1951, but it was in 1955 that Welk’s career truly skyrocketed with the launch of The Lawrence Welk Show on ABC. The show quickly became a staple of American television, known for its wholesome entertainment, patriotism, and the “Musical Family” of performers who adhered to Welk’s strict standards of professionalism and morality. Welk was a demanding leader who insisted on constant rehearsal and upheld a firm commitment to virtuous living, often refusing sponsorships from alcohol and cigarette companies and even dismissing cast members who did not meet his high standards.
Despite its cancellation by ABC in 1971, The Lawrence Welk Show continued to thrive in syndication, produced by Welk’s own production company until 1982. Even after retiring from the show at the age of 79, Welk’s influence remained strong, with reruns of the program still enjoying popularity today.
Later Life and Legacy
Lawrence and Fern Welk spent their later years in Bonsall and Santa Monica, California. On March 17, 1992, Lawrence Welk passed away peacefully due to complications from pneumonia, leaving behind a legacy that continues to resonate with fans of all ages.
Today, the farm where Lawrence grew up in Strasburg, North Dakota, operates as a historic site, allowing visitors to experience the early life of the man who became one of America’s most beloved entertainers.
Welk’s contributions to music and television have been widely recognized. He was a charter member of the Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award in 1961, inducted into the International Polka Music Hall of Fame in 1994, and honored with two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame—one for his recording career and another for his success in television. In 2015, Lawrence Welk was one of the first two inductees into the North Dakota Music Hall of Fame, celebrating his enduring impact on the world of entertainment.
