LAWRENCE WELK and THE LENNON SISTERS.
A contract between Teleklew Productions and Roncom Productions for the Sister's appearance on Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall
Contract double signed: "Lawrence Welk, "L.W.", "Margaret Anne (Peggy) Lennon", "Kathleen Mary Lennon" and "Janet Elizabeth Lennon". 2p, separate sheets, with 8p rider attached, 8½x11. No place, 1961 February 2. Independent Contractors Agreement between Teleklew Productions and Roncom Productions for The Lennon Sisters' appearance as Guest Artists on Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall, airing March 29, 1961 for $10,000. Welk signed for Teleklew Productions. Next to The Lennons' signature: "Witnessed by/Sam J. Lutz/Personal Manager." After accordian player/bandleader LAWRENCE WELK (1903-1992) debuted with his band as a summer replacement on ABC in 1955, the weekly program became one of the network's most popular variety shows and Welk's "ah-one and ah-two" and "wunnerful, wunnerful" became catchwords. Between 1956 and 1963, Welk recorded ten Top 10 albums and had a No. 1 hit with "Calcutta" in 1961. After the show was cancelled by ABC, it became equally successful in syndication (1971-1982). Beginning in 1987, five years after Welk retired, reruns of his "champagne music" became a popular staple of public television, and after Welk's death, his band continued to perform at the Champagne Music Theater in Branson, Missouri. THE LENNON SISTERS, 16-year-old Dianne ("Dee Dee"), 14-year-old PEGGY, 12-year-old KATHY and nine-year-old JANET, made their debut on Lawrence Welk's 1955 Christmas show, and remained on the popular weekly program through 1967. During their tenure with Welk, the sisters toured extensively with the Lawrence Welk Orchestra and appeared on a number of TV variety shows, including those hosted by Perry Como, Andy Williams and Ed Sullivan. Lightly creased, shaded and stained. Staple holes at upper left. Slight paper loss at upper left corner and slight tear at left edge of 2nd page. Otherwise, fine condition.