welkbios5
MORE MUSIC MAKERS….EVEN MORE BIOS
CHARLIE PARLATO featured trumpist and singer, was born in Fredonia, NY on February 16th. An alumni of Ithaca Conservatory, he started out first with Kay Kyser, Dave Rose and Tennessee Ernie Ford before joing Welk in 1962. Even at 5 foot 5 inches, he possessed a lot of talent in not just his trumpet work, but in many of the show’s novelty skits and choral numbers, and he also can play the drums and is a scratch tennis player. A proud father of five kids, he enjoys classical music and lists blue fish as his favorite food.KENNY TRIMBLE trombonist was born on March 1, 1919 and grew up in Milawukee, WI. Teaching himself the trombone at age five, he later became the Wisconsin State champion trombonist in area schools. Before joining the Champagne Music Makers in 1957, he studied his craft at the Milwaukee State Teachers College, Tex Beneke, Glenn Miller, Sam Donahue and Ray Anthony. He was first chair until Don Staples joined the band in 1966, but remained on for the show’s duration. Kenny, who passed away in 1991, had two kids, one of them Jimmy is a respected trombone player, and his grandson John is a talented trumpet player that performs regularly in Branson.ALADDIN PALLANTE violinist and pianist was born September 20, 1912 in New York, NY. Learning both instruments at an young age, he went out to Southern California in 1945 to seek his fortune by starting out with the Edgar Bergen Show. Joining Welk in 1955, the same year the show went nationwide on ABC, Aladdin became a fan favorite, not just for his musicial craftsmanship, but also for his poems and dramatic readings. He also was a fixture on the silver screen, with apperances in movies such as “Deep In The Heart Of Texas” and “Easy To Love.” He remained with the show until 1967, and passed away on June 9, 1970.ORIE AMADEO saxophonist and woodwinds was born in New York, NY on March 9, 1921. Starting first on violin, by thirteen he taught himself to play all the woodwind instruments, and that quickly led to work with local dance bands and the Tri-City Symphony. Among his other jobs upon moving out to California was a stint as a stagehand at NBC and other major Hollywood studios and other freelancing work. Joined Welk in 1945, can play flute, piccolo, clarinet, bass clarinet, conta-bass clarinet, alto sax, and tenor sax. In addition to his weekly musical chores, he was also band photographer and played on all the Welk albums from the late 40’s thru 1970, when he left the band. Later formed his own Count Basie style band known as the Orie J Orchestra. Sadly passed away in 1998 at the age of seventy-seven.RUSS KLEIN saxophonist was born in Worcester, MA on July 23, 1917. Began playing the woodwinds at age 11, and by 14 turned professional. Played in the forties for the Freddie Martin band with another talented Worcester native and future Welk member Norman Bailey. Later, he played with on the Red Skelton Show and with David Rose before joining the Music Makers in 1957. First playing 1st Alto Sax & 1st clarinet, but later moved up to Tenor Sax soloist and the curved Soprano Sax with the Hotsy Totsy Boys. His efforts helped “modernize” the Welk style with his jazzy sound and superb musicianship. After the death of his first wife, he married Lawrence’s long-time personal secretary Lois Lamont in 1975 and stayed together until his death on February 10, 1996. NORMAN BAILEY trumpist was born Feburary 6, 1913 and like Russ Klein, grew up in Worcester, MA.Starting out with his first $5 trumpet at 13, he graduated from Becker Jr. College doing freelance work with other bands in between. Joined Freddy Martin’s band in 1934 as his first trumpet player, where he remained with until 1951 when he went to work in missle development for Northrup Aircraft. A year later, he returned to full time music when he joined up with Lawrence Welk, and from the days at the Aragon, at KTLA and later on ABC and in syndication, his trumpet playing was the stuff of legend….tales that he was so good, that never had to practice. He was known as “Iron Lips” by his fellow Music Makers, mainly because he never got tired! Left Welk in 1972, giving his spot up to Johnny Zell, one of his former students. DAVE EDWARDS saxophonist and woodwinds, was born January 11, 1941 in Tuskegee, AL. After graduating from Auburn University (War Eagle!), Dave performed either freelance or with other bands such as Glenn Miller and Richard Maltby before joing NORAD. Became a Welk Music Maker in 1968 and occupied first chair until he left in 1978. The lanky Southerner, along with his wife Phyllis, and their two sons David and Charles, moved to Central Florida where he continued to perform in several big bands until his unexpected death from cardiac arrest on August 12, 2000 at the age of fifty-nine.
CLICK HERE TO GO BACK HOME!