jjares reviewed Lawrence Welk: The Life and Legacy of the Famous Bandleader and Television Host on + 3294 more book reviews
My Polish and German grandparents wouldn't miss a Lawrence Welk show for anything. As grandchildren, we could come over to visit then, but we could only speak during the commercials (during Welk's performance). Gosh, I haven't thought of those days in years! This book captures what Lawrence Welk meant to millions of older Americans, who savored the nostalgia of a simpler time in their lives. In addition, the musical culture of Scandinavians, central Europeans, and Russians tied their families together, even though they might live far from their homelands. This is a significant causal effect of Lawrence Welk's success in America.
Some of the information was stunning; Welk had a fourth-grade education and had difficulty learning English. Welk had an accent, but I was amazed to learn that his roots were in Ukraine and Alsace-Lorraine. I thought the analysis of Welk's influence and the stronghold he kept on his performers was unambiguous. However, I wanted to know more about his family (wife and children). Did they become musicians? I still had questions after reading this book.
One of my favorite parts of this book was the explanation of why the accordion died off: Men thought it made them look fat. However, the guitar gave men a more svelte profile. I'm still chuckling over that one.
Some of the information was stunning; Welk had a fourth-grade education and had difficulty learning English. Welk had an accent, but I was amazed to learn that his roots were in Ukraine and Alsace-Lorraine. I thought the analysis of Welk's influence and the stronghold he kept on his performers was unambiguous. However, I wanted to know more about his family (wife and children). Did they become musicians? I still had questions after reading this book.
One of my favorite parts of this book was the explanation of why the accordion died off: Men thought it made them look fat. However, the guitar gave men a more svelte profile. I'm still chuckling over that one.
