Growing up I loved watching Guy Lombardo with my grandmother. It was a wonderful way to celebrate the New Year. Especially listening to talk about her youth.
Guy Lombardo crawled so that Dick Clark could walk. Dick Clark walked so that Ryan Seacrest could run. Ryan Seacrest is running so that whoever will take over new year's from him will fly! time always goes forward, and thus New years will always change to better match with the times!
Why can't we have this standard of music being played today? Their arrangements of a lot of songs sound better to me than the originals. I listen to them quite regularly, just love them. They did truly play the sweetest music this side of Heaven!
I was not around in the time that Guy Lombardo had his fun. But man, I wished I was. I know I’m 23 years old, but honestly, this is REAL dancing music. This is what I was watching on New Year’s Eve. This is the kind of music that needs to make a comeback in society. Not these angry people screaming to an auto tuned beat. But real music, music that people make with real instruments they know how to play. Songs with safe lyrics without the profanity. Guy Lombardo and those similar to him played that type of music. Society would be a lot better off with Guy Lombardo’s music. I’m grateful for PBS for introducing Guy to me when I was an infant. And at the same time I’m furious that PBS won’t put his show back on TV!
Well Zach, you're living evidence that not all is lost, just most. I began the whole thing in '45, so I didn't miss much except the War Years, the Great Depression and the Roaring Twenties, which I myself lament for not having witnessed/lived then. (Guy and the RCs started in those Twenties playing HOT! Found out quickly tho that the dough was in SWEET, as they proved the case-correct, for having ended their days as millionaires!!!)
@@johnparadise3134 And it's not even Dick Clark anymore, now it's Ryan Secreast (yes, the show is still "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve," but it has not really been the Dick Clark show many grew up on for 15 years or so now). I grew up with Guy Lombardo as well (my generation was the last that did), but I can see why after his death the show only lasted one more year on CBS (and a couple of years after that locally in New York on WPIX-TV, Channel 11). His show probably would have ended anyway sometime in the early-to-mid '80s had he not passed away before then (in this case, in 1977). The transition to Dick Clark (who began in 1973 with his show) was already long underway by this point and that show has changed with the times. Amazingly, in a couple of years Dick Clark's show will actually have been on longer than Lombardo and on TV that is already the case.
Wonderful show, wonderful memories. Had tickets to see Guy in 1977 in Little Rock, Arkansas, but he died before the show. Show still went on, had a chance to talk to Guy's brother on the trumpet and Kenny Gardner. Greatest band of them all.
In an interview with Dick Clark a few years before his stroke, he admits that his NYE show could not garner much in the way of ratings when it began. It was almost cancelled by ABC. He literally says "Guy Lombardo was in the way of our show taking off". Then Guy Lombardo died. And your choices were Dick Clark or Dick Clark. Viewers had little choice on NYE but to embrace Clark and his show or watch nothing. And Clark unfortunately died before he could match Guy's record of hosting 48 consecutive NYE shows.
I really agree with Mark here. I too with my late father used to enjoy Guy's music on New Years Eve and remember watching this many years. I also agree with a few of the other replies here about the garbage that is being shown today.
He was Mr. New Years Eve before Dick Clark. Music was basic but that but he kept a lot of musicians working for a real long time. RIP Guy and thanks for the memories! Remember watching with my grandparents and mom....dad was a musician and always working on New Years Eve.
@Sally Mitchell Wow! There were so many who got to work with him over the years. He was a legend to so many through the years (hard to believe his show first aired on radio in 1928-'29, and even in 1976-'77 the show still had an old-style radio feeling to it). Sad to think this would turn out to be the final time Mr. Lombardo led his Royal Canadiens on New Year's Eve, passing away during 1977 (the show would run one more year on CBS after his death and for I believe two years after that locally in New York on WPIX-TV, Channel 11).
@Sally Mitchell The two Trombonists in the above video are Don Cooper and Hunter Fuerste. Don died about five years ago and Hunter is still alive and working in Dubuque, Iowa as an ophthalmologist and musician. I am in contact with Hunter regularly and I spoke to Don on the phone a few times in the past. There is a blond Trumpet player in the brass section, but his name is Ron Keller. I just got an e-mail from Hunter Fuerste confirming that both he and Don Cooper are the Trombone players and Ron Keller is the blond Trombonist. The other two Trumpet players are Lebert Lombardo and Bob Medearous.
What a Blessing to so many through the years . My Mom & Dad never missed his show every year .Wish they had someone to carry it on. So Wholesome family show with decent music & songs . Thank you
I grew up in the 70's and looked foward to watching guy lombardo on new years eve with my parents and grand parents. New years eve was never the same after Guy Lombardo's death. Enrico Rubio
At midnight on New Years eve I still play Guy Lombardo. I have the original 78s and yes LPs too. Mom bought me a Lombardo album for Christmas of 1980 when I thought his music was modern. ha ha I cherish that LP but since have found many of his 1930s Columbia Vivatonal records and yep the sweetest music this side of Heaven. Just the best!
It was pretty well sealed for me when the feature on one of those NYE Bombs was "LMFAO." Yes, that was a group!! With hopefully the word WAS being key! Haven't heard from them much since.
What happy memories this video brings back. And what a schlockfest New Year's eve has become since Guy Lombardo and the Royal Canadians have left the stage. As a fellow Long Islander I remember Guy piloting his beautiful mahogany speedboat through the moat at the Jones Beach Theater each night before the summer stage shows proudly flying the American flag during the National Anthem. He and his wonderful band are very much missed even after all these years. No doubt "The Sweetest Music This Side Of Heaven" is now "The Sweetest Music In Heaven."
Yes, such happy memories indeed!! I can still picture in my mind's eye stretching out on the living room carpet in front of the TV with my parents watching Guy Lombardo. And I agree with others here - NYE has never been quite the same Guy Lombardo. What has come after him has been really second rate... There was such class and elegance... RIP Guy!!! And thanks for the memories!
Can't say since Mr. Lombardo passed away it's been a schlockfest. Dick Clark did a great job for many years continuing the traditions Guy Lombardo started. That said, even Dick Clark would be spinning in HIS grave if he saw what has happened in just the years since HIS passing as music today has REALLY gone down the tubes for a variety of reasons (most of what I listen to is from the 1960's, '70s and '80s). What also happened is Times Square now has a lot of stage performances by people who have been booted by BOTH Mr. Lombardo AND Mr. Clark (pre-2004 stroke) years ago.
Amen..there will never be another like him, whose name was synonymous with a wholesome, fun way to celebrate New Year's Eve! God Bless you, Guy..we miss you.
I was too young, at 6 yrs old to remember; but I can only imagine Guy Lombardo on one show, and Dick Clark on the other. One show for the older folks; and another for the younger. I miss the older generation. They were special.
Bittersweet memories, I grew up with the sounds of Big Band music because of my Mom's love of it. This was the last time we were able to enjoy Guy Lombardo together as she died Jan. 9th , 1977
Growing up, my mom & dad always had a new years party. Guy Lombardo was the center piece of the night. They would have their friends over and the other kids and myself would sneak down the stairs to watch. Many happy memories. Guy Lombardo will always be new years eve for me.
MY Father and Mother Enjoying watching Guy Lombardo during the New Year Eve Celebration 🥳🎉. RIP Mr Calvin Bealer Sr. and Mrs Martha Jane Bealer. Love Y'all Miss Dearly beloved 😍❤️
Used to watch Guy Lombardo with the grandparents. It was a New Year's Eve tradition. Mr. Lombardo died when I was 11. I still remember thinking New Year's Eve will never be the same, and I was right. Great video. Thanks for posting.
Guy Lombardo was born on June 17th, 1902 in the south end of London, Ontario, Canada. His boyhood home has been designated a historical landmark there!
Mark Stahle: In Guy's adopted home town of Freeport, Long Island, one of the main streets is named Guy Lombardo Avenue, and I'll bet 98% of the current residents of Freeport have absolutely no idea who he was.😥😥😥
Less than a year after this aired, the great Guy Lombardo would be dead. He is still missed by many and New Year's Eve has never been as festive without him.
i still have his record. but no record player. now i have downloaded the Auld Lang Syne with Bell chimes on iTunes and i love it. i will always forever play it every year very loud at 12 over and over.
Guy Lombardo was one of the best of the era I grew up in, How unfortunate to go from that GREAT era to the rock and roll rap crap that came and destroyed real music forever. Fortunately with the preservation of recordings and You Tube, I can still enjoy the era of the greatest music of that time.
The Rock 'n Roll you call "crap" isn't at all though I will say with limited exceptions is WAY better than the junk out there now as music for the most part has gone down the tubes in the last 15-20 years (I listen to mostly the post-British 1960's, '70s and '80s). Dick Clark was a natural transition from Guy Lombardo, but even HE would be spinning in HIS grave if he saw the dreck there is now.
It was and shall always be! The very best of USA 🇺🇸 and around the world. Lucky enough to have lived the moment in time and history. Happy New Year's 2018. 🎉🎇
It was a sad day when we lost him. London Ontario and Port Stanley were never the same Guy never forgot Port Stanley and dancing in an August night was special. we miss him as Guy Lombardo never forgot his home town! yes New Years without him and the Royal Canadians is not the same
I grew up on long island and my cousins lived in plandome and Kenny gardner was a good friend of my uncle. Kenny would always come over and was such a nice person. A few times i was invited to go to Guy Lombardos house in Freeport. Always had a wonderful time there
For those that want to experience this entire show including commercials, the Museum of Television Broadcasting on 52nd in NYC has the master copy of this , They probably got it from CBS since it was historic in that it was the last New Years Eve with Guy Lombardo. I am 55 and I can remember watching this every year from about 1969 and I though this was was one his best shows of that era. The band was tight and I liked how they took current hits and played it in their style. I thought one of the great traditions of this show was the salute to Broadway medley before they went live to the ball drop. It really built up the anticipation of the coming new year and if you see the actual ball drop of that year, they had it timed perfectly, starting from the tympani roll to the countdown. Sadly this was also Ben Grauer's final NYE .
Most of these songs aren't really my style but this is leagues better than what get played on New Years shows lately. In fact I'll most likely rewatch this later today instead of the usual dreck.
@Vbg Vbg He was, but his show would have ended by the mid-'80s anyway if he had not died when he did. Dick Clark would likely be spinning in HIS grave if he saw some of the performers we have now. I watched Anderson Cooper on CNN and although obviously he could not have much music on, it still was more interesting with who he had on.
@@WaltGekko More than likely, CBS kept the show on the air through the 50th year just so they could say the show had been on for 50 years. I think you are right, Walt. Even if Guy had lived, the show probably would not have lasted too much longer. CBS loved to cancel shows. Just ask anyone from the casts of "Green Acres," "Mayberry RFD," "The Beverly Hillbillies," or "Petticoat Junction". LOL!!!
@@royalvirginians The cancellations you mentioned had more to do with CBS wanting to shed its reputation of that time as being a network catering to rural areas as ad buyers found them undesirable and little to do with ratings in most cases. Lombardo was still doing good ratings then and a lot of us continued to watch. It continued to be a hip place to be on New Year's Eve at the time as the crowds at the Waldorf-Astoria were far younger than you would have expected for that (even in 1976-'77) and it likely was by far the youngest crowd Lombardo got for any of his shows all year. Yes, we were in the middle of a transition to Dick Clark. but it probably would have taken another cycle up to about 1983 or so before Lombardo likely would have been replaced by CBS on New Year's Eve had he not died when he did in 1977. Big band music continued to have a place through the '70s and early '80s and Lombardo would have continued on.
I purchased the CD Enjoy Yourself for the cover song but I found so many delightful songs as well. As much as I love hearing the music performed by Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians this mini-concert allows me to see them as well.
dang, as a kid born in 2007, they are pretty good. Usually the only part I look at on new years eve is, of course, the ball drop the first ball drop I ever remember was 2018-2019
I was born in 1954, growing up on President Street in Freeport. Used togo fishing at his restaurant. My mom & dad would let me,my sister and brother watch him ring in New Year Eve when we got a little older.
My Biggest Gift My Daughter was born New Years 12:00am Happy birthday to my Lovely Daughter Tamara Nicole Irvin 1979 you are the biggest gift from god love mommy and daddy i love you little Girl.
This was my kind of New Years Eve music. Sorry gone now. I do not on put New Years eve shows on tv any more. Friends and I have a few drinks and watch old movies.
He almost made it to the next new year's celebrations(died 11/5/1977) Guy still looks good for being 74 (never saw this or any of his late in life performances before) The band is playing just great !! I'm a 78 record collector and am quite familiar with his music. Quite a few younger people on the dance floor. Wish I were there at the time. They also did great on "I Write the Songs" and "Feelings". Thanks for posting this gem !
Miss these days, no disrespect to the late Dick Clark, but I grew up on the New Year's Eve by Guy Lombardo...as a young teen, he was the Ace of The New York, Times Square New Year's Eve Celebration ! Brings back fond memories of auld lang syne...
This reminds me of being a little kid on NYE. All my family around the TV, eating Lipton® Soup Onion Dip and drinking soda AT NIGHT. For anyone that thinks Lombardo's music is square, none other than Louis Armstrong loved his band!
Well done JE,this is BIG in Lombardo Loversland all over the world,wish the Lombardo Family would get active in UA-cam,and post some of their priceless treasures to music maybe.... I d-r-e-a-m.... Cheers to ALL for 2013 :-) Warm Regards Noel from Aus
I was 13 years old then Dec 31st, 1976 and I probably watched this with my mom and dad then!! I kind of remember this!! I turned 14 years old on May 21, 1977. The next year Guy Lombardo's brother took over!
Edwin Harvey Only briefly. Lebert did not consider himself a bandleader and it was fronted by Victor Lombardo for a while, and then turned over to Lebert's son Bill. They finally disbanded in 1980. Lebert retired, as Kenny Gardner did a year or two before. A Guy Lombardo "ghost" band was formed I think a couple of years later. No original members, but Ty Lemley popped up a couple of times in the performances
@@dancebandleader Al Pierson, I heard bought the rights to the Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians band around 1989 or so and has been leading it ever since. You can correct me if I am mistaken
Guy is the second cousin to my grandmother, Helen. She told me stories about when she was barley a teen singing on the radio with guy and he offered her to tour with her but her parents said no, you are too young. Lol she would of been famous for her singing and dancing but she might of never had 7 kids and lots and lots of grand, great grand and great great grand children. Guy was an amazing man and so talented! We still enjoy him until this day.
Use to watch Guy Lombardo from my folks home in Los Angeles every New Years eve while my folks were out partying with their friends 'was kinda fun'....
I remember this well. We were all watching in my mom's family home in Long island. Ironic this was the last new years eve we spent out there due to the fact my sister met her future husband the following year. Not only this was Guy Lombardo last year it was Ben Grauer last year too as we lost them both in 1977. New years eve is not the same as l also lost many relatives along the way including my dad.
Great job from the Poconos in East Stroudsburg Pa! Brings back young memories. I video taped 1983 - 84 (the whole show with the ball) but nothing replaces good old Guy L...Mr New Years Eve. The crap today?? Just that.
To me it's of interest to note that the last New Years Eve performance at the Waldorf was in 79,which wasn't broadcast.And their very last New Year's performance was in 80 at the Colonade Hotel in Boston which I attended,still under Bill's leadership.Bill then finished at New York's Rainbow Room.
I am so Happy you are going to post the rest of the Guy Lombardo New Years Special, New Years Eve is not the Same without Guy, Again thank you for posting this video
Good to see Kenny Gardner again, Cliff Grass, who used to play clarinet and sax, and also made vocals, retired a couple of years before this show was taped, if I'm not mistaken.
I was moving from Houston to Virginia before Christmas, 1976. I owned an antique parlor organ which meant the world to me. As the movers were packing and loading my belongings into their big truck, I must have told them too many times to be careful with my parlor organ. Finally the transport driver asked me to come into the back of the truck. He peeled back a corner of the padding, so I could see my parlor organ. Then he told me he wanted me to see the priceless item which my instrument would be riding on during the trip. He moved a bit of padding for me to see a beautiful lacquered finish. He recovered the item and told me it was Guy Lombardo's grand piano, which was being delivered to New York after my belongings were unloaded in Virginia. I no longer worried about my cheap little instrument, and it happened that Guy's last performance for New Years was the week after my things rode on top of his piano. It's a special memory as I never missed any of his New Years performances. I am so happy you have this performance preserved!
If you look at the crowd for this show, the amazing thing is how relatively young this crowd was for a show that was clearly NOT Rock 'n Roll or Disco (which by then was reaching its peak as would be seen not too long after with the opening of Studio 54). There definitely were older people there as well, but not nearly as many as you would have expected for this type of a show. Also, while Times Square itself was crowded, the crowds DID NOT go nearly as far back as they do now. Part of that was crime in New York was rampant during the second half of the '60s through the early '90s, but a lot of it was you didn't have people having the NEED to be in Times Square you seem to have now. Even the one time I went to Times Square for the ball drop in 1984-'85, I actually went up north to 50th and Broadway and had a clear shot of the ball dropping up on a hill and hardly anyone else was there! Now that area is crowded by 5:00 PM or so.
This is really great. There is a great pan showing my father in-law, trombonist, Donald "Coop" Cooper. Are there any more videos of from this era, showing Don?. Don played with the Royal Canadians from 1966 until Guy Lombardo's death.
+Bill Lytle Hi Bill, I knew your father-in-law. We talked on the phone a few times before he passed on. I have two other videos of him. Send me a private message.
I was a kid the last time Guy Lombardo represented New Year's Eve. Even then, I realized that the "updated" New Year's celebrations were unwatchable and found it to be Trash...And I was a kid! I have never again been interested in watching New Years Celebrations. I stay up for other shows, but never for the crap that they have put on since.
Growing up I loved watching Guy Lombardo with my grandmother. It was a wonderful way to celebrate the New Year. Especially listening to talk about her youth.
New Year’s Eve is not the same without Guy Lombardo… He was a musical genius…
Indeed he was. There will never be another like him.
I remember this so very well. Guy Lombardo was a class act. Since the passing of both Guy Lombardo & Dick Clark, New Years hasn't been the same.
I felt that.
Guy Lombardo crawled so that Dick Clark could walk.
Dick Clark walked so that Ryan Seacrest could run.
Ryan Seacrest is running so that whoever will take over new year's from him will fly!
time always goes forward, and thus New years will always change to better match with the times!
@@titanic1015.... Seacrest will never belong in the company of Lombardo or Clark.... now is a degenerate and fallen society.
Why can't we have this standard of music being played today? Their arrangements of a lot of songs sound better to me than the originals. I listen to them quite regularly, just love them. They did truly play the sweetest music this side of Heaven!
I read somewhere that Guy Lombardo said "When I die, I'm taking New Year's Eve with me!" When I see stuff like this video, I tend to agree!
He did too.
He said that on Rowan & Martin's "Laugh In." I saw it! 🎉
I was not around in the time that Guy Lombardo had his fun. But man, I wished I was. I know I’m 23 years old, but honestly, this is REAL dancing music. This is what I was watching on New Year’s Eve. This is the kind of music that needs to make a comeback in society. Not these angry people screaming to an auto tuned beat. But real music, music that people make with real instruments they know how to play. Songs with safe lyrics without the profanity. Guy Lombardo and those similar to him played that type of music. Society would be a lot better off with Guy Lombardo’s music. I’m grateful for PBS for introducing Guy to me when I was an infant. And at the same time I’m furious that PBS won’t put his show back on TV!
At least you understand (I was born when this ended).
Well Zach, you're living evidence that not all is lost, just most.
I began the whole thing in '45, so I didn't miss much except the War Years, the Great Depression and the Roaring Twenties, which I myself lament for not having witnessed/lived then.
(Guy and the RCs started in those Twenties playing HOT! Found out quickly tho that the dough was in SWEET, as they proved the case-correct, for having ended their days as millionaires!!!)
Since the passing of Guy Lombardo New Years Eve has never been the same!
+John Paradise Uh, Dick Clark?
+guy2008rules Dick Clark is no substitute for Guy Lombardo on New Years Eve!
You got that right!
@@johnparadise3134 And it's not even Dick Clark anymore, now it's Ryan Secreast (yes, the show is still "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve," but it has not really been the Dick Clark show many grew up on for 15 years or so now).
I grew up with Guy Lombardo as well (my generation was the last that did), but I can see why after his death the show only lasted one more year on CBS (and a couple of years after that locally in New York on WPIX-TV, Channel 11). His show probably would have ended anyway sometime in the early-to-mid '80s had he not passed away before then (in this case, in 1977).
The transition to Dick Clark (who began in 1973 with his show) was already long underway by this point and that show has changed with the times. Amazingly, in a couple of years Dick Clark's show will actually have been on longer than Lombardo and on TV that is already the case.
We were the last generation, Walt Gekko. I wish I could hear the 1973 into 1974 performance of Guy Lombardo’s on New Year’s Eve.
Wonderful show, wonderful memories. Had tickets to see Guy in 1977 in Little Rock, Arkansas, but he died before the show. Show still went on, had a chance to talk to Guy's brother on the trumpet and Kenny Gardner. Greatest band of them all.
This is when it was worthwhile staying up and ringing in The New Year. Sadly, just a lot of garbage on TV today -- just my opinion folks.
never watched this guy i was a baby always watched dick clark's NYRE since he passed,its been dreadful
@@retroguy1976 I've watched Anderson Cooper in recent years myself and the hour afterwards where they ring in the new year in the central time zone.
I would trade it for any of the CRAP they put on now ! It was beautiful - maybe you are not old enough to appreciate it
Dick Clark I can handle...Anderson Cooper? Absolutely not!
Agreed.
THANK GOD THIS WAS PRESERVED!
I wish PBS or some channel would run these again...even a rerun from 1960 is better than that New Year's Eve crap that is on now.
+Mark Fischer Dick Clark surpassed Lombardo. Sorry bout that.
You said it. And I write this at 1:08 AM Jan 1, 2017 after watching the lousy collection of "entertainment" we have now.
guy2008rules That's funny. Dick Clark couldn't hold a candle to Guy Lombardo when it came to New Year's Eve. I liked Dick Clark, but get real.
In an interview with Dick Clark a few years before his stroke, he admits that his NYE show could not garner much in the way of ratings when it began. It was almost cancelled by ABC. He literally says "Guy Lombardo was in the way of our show taking off". Then Guy Lombardo died. And your choices were Dick Clark or Dick Clark. Viewers had little choice on NYE but to embrace Clark and his show or watch nothing. And Clark unfortunately died before he could match Guy's record of hosting 48 consecutive NYE shows.
I really agree with Mark here. I too with my late father used to enjoy Guy's music on New Years Eve and remember watching this many years. I also agree with a few of the other replies here about the garbage that is being shown today.
Guy and the Canadians were a class act not like the junk we have now!
'Yes, they were a Class Act from a very different generation & Era
I agree...I'd rather watch this than the crap that's out there now
Agree
He was Mr. New Years Eve before Dick Clark. Music was basic but that but he kept a lot of musicians working for a real long time. RIP Guy and thanks for the memories! Remember watching with my grandparents and mom....dad was a musician and always working on New Years Eve.
@Sally Mitchell What is your Dad's name?
@Sally Mitchell Wow! There were so many who got to work with him over the years. He was a legend to so many through the years (hard to believe his show first aired on radio in 1928-'29, and even in 1976-'77 the show still had an old-style radio feeling to it).
Sad to think this would turn out to be the final time Mr. Lombardo led his Royal Canadiens on New Year's Eve, passing away during 1977 (the show would run one more year on CBS after his death and for I believe two years after that locally in New York on WPIX-TV, Channel 11).
@Sally Mitchell The two Trombonists in the above video are Don Cooper and Hunter Fuerste. Don died about five years ago and Hunter is still alive and working in Dubuque, Iowa as an ophthalmologist and musician. I am in contact with Hunter regularly and I spoke to Don on the phone a few times in the past. There is a blond Trumpet player in the brass section, but his name is Ron Keller. I just got an e-mail from Hunter Fuerste confirming that both he and Don Cooper are the Trombone players and Ron Keller is the blond Trombonist. The other two Trumpet players are Lebert Lombardo and Bob Medearous.
What a Blessing to so many through the years . My Mom & Dad never missed his show every year .Wish they had someone to carry it on. So Wholesome family show with decent music & songs . Thank you
I grew up in the 70's and looked foward to watching guy lombardo on new years eve with my parents and grand parents. New years eve was never the same after Guy Lombardo's death. Enrico Rubio
At midnight on New Years eve I still play Guy Lombardo. I have the original 78s and yes LPs too. Mom bought me a Lombardo album for Christmas of 1980 when I thought his music was modern. ha ha I cherish that LP but since have found many of his 1930s Columbia Vivatonal records and yep the sweetest music this side of Heaven. Just the best!
Always loved Guy Lombardo's New Year's Eve show. . . Still miss it!
Nansbbgrand
Hello
How are you doing my friend?
Back when New Year's Eve was celebrated with class, elegance and decorum. What a contrast to the substitute unwatchable rubbish we have now.
Yep! Class and elegance and it was fun to watch.
It was pretty well sealed for me when the feature on one of those NYE Bombs was "LMFAO." Yes, that was a group!! With hopefully the word WAS being key! Haven't heard from them much since.
Back when the country still had a semblance of class.
Boy, did you say it.. there is no class anymore.
@@Michaelbos So sad to say that , class is so sadly out of style . Today if you look and dress well, people look at you as if you are a novelty .
I watched this growing up and loved it. I haven’t bothered to watch New Years Eve since. I miss the good old days
Hi, how are you doing my friend?
What happy memories this video brings back. And what a schlockfest New Year's eve has become since Guy Lombardo and the Royal Canadians have left the stage. As a fellow Long Islander I remember Guy piloting his beautiful mahogany speedboat through the moat at the Jones Beach Theater each night before the summer stage shows proudly flying the American flag during the National Anthem. He and his wonderful band are very much missed even after all these years. No doubt "The Sweetest Music This Side Of Heaven" is now "The Sweetest Music In Heaven."
George Maccarone
Yes, such happy memories indeed!! I can still picture in my mind's eye stretching out on the living room carpet in front of the TV with my parents watching Guy Lombardo. And I agree with others here - NYE has never been quite the same Guy Lombardo. What has come after him has been really second rate... There was such class and elegance... RIP Guy!!! And thanks for the memories!
Can't say since Mr. Lombardo passed away it's been a schlockfest. Dick Clark did a great job for many years continuing the traditions Guy Lombardo started. That said, even Dick Clark would be spinning in HIS grave if he saw what has happened in just the years since HIS passing as music today has REALLY gone down the tubes for a variety of reasons (most of what I listen to is from the 1960's, '70s and '80s).
What also happened is Times Square now has a lot of stage performances by people who have been booted by BOTH Mr. Lombardo AND Mr. Clark (pre-2004 stroke) years ago.
Thanks for the video. I remember guy Lombardo as a kid. Too bad nobody airs this anymore. 😥
Amen..there will never be another like him, whose name was synonymous with a wholesome, fun way to celebrate New Year's Eve! God Bless you, Guy..we miss you.
I was too young, at 6 yrs old to remember; but I can only imagine Guy Lombardo on one show, and Dick Clark on the other. One show for the older folks; and another for the younger. I miss the older generation. They were special.
Bittersweet memories, I grew up with the sounds of Big Band music because of my Mom's love of it. This was the last time we were able to enjoy Guy Lombardo together as she died Jan. 9th , 1977
Hello, how are you doing my friend
Growing up, my mom & dad always had a new years party. Guy Lombardo was the center piece of the night. They would have their friends over and the other kids and myself would sneak down the stairs to watch. Many happy memories. Guy Lombardo will always be new years eve for me.
This was THE ....New Eve Show when I was a little kid, I thought it was the only one..............
My parents loved him. I thought it was corny & hokey but now I miss him and them...
Don't know what you got 'til it's gone ...
Heavens how I miss this on New Yea's Eve!
My family had this show on every year.
MY Father and Mother Enjoying watching Guy Lombardo during the New Year Eve Celebration 🥳🎉. RIP Mr Calvin Bealer Sr. and Mrs Martha Jane Bealer. Love Y'all Miss Dearly beloved 😍❤️
We always listened to Guy Lombardo if we were home.
The good old days. Even back then we thought the people dressed up dancing and waiving was FUN to watch.
They didn't need rudeness & attitude & diva stuff to entertain people.
Used to watch Guy Lombardo with the grandparents. It was a New Year's Eve tradition. Mr. Lombardo died when I was 11. I still remember thinking New Year's Eve will never be the same, and I was right. Great video. Thanks for posting.
45 years ago. RIP Guy Lombardo
With all the garbage in the world today I had to find some Guy Lombardo vids. Happy New Year.
Guy Lombardo was born on June 17th, 1902 in the south end of London, Ontario, Canada. His boyhood home has been designated a historical landmark there!
Mark Stahle: In Guy's adopted home town of Freeport, Long Island, one of the main streets is named Guy Lombardo Avenue, and I'll bet 98% of the current residents of Freeport have absolutely no idea who he was.😥😥😥
Yes The Elegent Family Time waiting with The Family for that WONDERFULL BALL DROPPING , WHEN WE CELEBRATED WITH FAMILY AN LOVE
New Year's Eve without Guy Lombardo is like having Laurel without Hardy!
+gmmix Without Guy Lombardo, or without Dick Clark, New Year's isn't quite the same anymore.
+SuperPat88 Give us back the old days.
Verne Statts I'll drink to that.
Laurel did actually star in movies before he teamed up with Hardy, but he wasn't as good alone.
Priceless...thank you for posting this !!! A teal treat !!
Less than a year after this aired, the great Guy Lombardo would be dead. He is still missed by many and New Year's Eve has never been as festive without him.
i still have his record. but no record player. now i have downloaded the Auld Lang Syne with Bell chimes on iTunes and i love it. i will always forever play it every year very loud at 12 over and over.
Guy Lombardo was one of the best of the era I grew up in, How unfortunate to go from that GREAT era to the rock and roll rap crap that came and destroyed real music forever. Fortunately with the preservation of recordings and You Tube, I can still enjoy the era of the greatest music of that time.
I think music pretty much died.
Goddamn you’re a crybaby!!!
The Rock 'n Roll you call "crap" isn't at all though I will say with limited exceptions is WAY better than the junk out there now as music for the most part has gone down the tubes in the last 15-20 years (I listen to mostly the post-British 1960's, '70s and '80s). Dick Clark was a natural transition from Guy Lombardo, but even HE would be spinning in HIS grave if he saw the dreck there is now.
It was and shall always be! The very best of USA 🇺🇸 and around the world. Lucky enough to have lived the moment in time and history. Happy New Year's 2018. 🎉🎇
Yes, kids, that was the quality of video on TVs back then.
I miss these shows. Watched them so many years.
It was a sad day when we lost him. London Ontario and Port Stanley were never the same Guy never forgot Port Stanley and dancing in an August night was special. we miss him as Guy Lombardo never forgot his home town! yes New Years without him and the Royal Canadians is not the same
Hello, how are you doing my friend?
I grew up on long island and my cousins lived in plandome and Kenny gardner was a good friend of my uncle. Kenny would always come over and was such a nice person. A few times i was invited to go to Guy Lombardos house in Freeport. Always had a wonderful time there
For those that want to experience this entire show including commercials, the Museum of Television Broadcasting on 52nd in NYC has the master copy of this , They probably got it from CBS since it was historic in that it was the last New Years Eve with Guy Lombardo. I am 55 and I can remember watching this every year from about 1969 and I though this was was one his best shows of that era. The band was tight and I liked how they took current hits and played it in their style. I thought one of the great traditions of this show was the salute to Broadway medley before they went live to the ball drop. It really built up the anticipation of the coming new year and if you see the actual ball drop of that year, they had it timed perfectly, starting from the tympani roll to the countdown. Sadly this was also Ben Grauer's final NYE .
Actually, more of that show is now on UA-cam elsewhere.
Most of these songs aren't really my style but this is leagues better than what get played on New Years shows lately. In fact I'll most likely rewatch this later today instead of the usual dreck.
@Vbg Vbg He was, but his show would have ended by the mid-'80s anyway if he had not died when he did. Dick Clark would likely be spinning in HIS grave if he saw some of the performers we have now.
I watched Anderson Cooper on CNN and although obviously he could not have much music on, it still was more interesting with who he had on.
@@WaltGekko More than likely, CBS kept the show on the air through the 50th year just so they could say the show had been on for 50 years. I think you are right, Walt. Even if Guy had lived, the show probably would not have lasted too much longer. CBS loved to cancel shows. Just ask anyone from the casts of "Green Acres," "Mayberry RFD," "The Beverly Hillbillies," or "Petticoat Junction". LOL!!!
@@royalvirginians The cancellations you mentioned had more to do with CBS wanting to shed its reputation of that time as being a network catering to rural areas as ad buyers found them undesirable and little to do with ratings in most cases. Lombardo was still doing good ratings then and a lot of us continued to watch. It continued to be a hip place to be on New Year's Eve at the time as the crowds at the Waldorf-Astoria were far younger than you would have expected for that (even in 1976-'77) and it likely was by far the youngest crowd Lombardo got for any of his shows all year.
Yes, we were in the middle of a transition to Dick Clark. but it probably would have taken another cycle up to about 1983 or so before Lombardo likely would have been replaced by CBS on New Year's Eve had he not died when he did in 1977. Big band music continued to have a place through the '70s and early '80s and Lombardo would have continued on.
I grew up with this yearly show. It’s all we had and “We Liked It”!
40 years later, Happy New Year!!
I dont believe i've taken interest nor seen a New Years eve special since.
Forever Mr. New Year's Eve...both Guy and Dick Clark.
You are so right they are gone and so is the classy New Years eve show!
Also his Royal Canadians were excellent musical genius also...
Hello, how are you doing my friend
Watching 2022/2023. I watched Guy growing up.
2020 I’m here for this.
This is perfection in big band music.
This makes me want to have another glass of Cold Duck!
Would love to purchase a DVD collection of these old Guy Lombardo New Year's broadcasts if only they'd make one available.....
I purchased the CD Enjoy Yourself for the cover song but I found so many delightful songs as well. As much as I love hearing the music performed by Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians this mini-concert allows me to see them as well.
Hi, how are you doing my friend
Love this! Happy New Decade 🎉 2020!
Hi, how are you doing my friend?
dang, as a kid born in 2007, they are pretty good. Usually the only part I look at on new years eve is, of course, the ball drop
the first ball drop I ever remember was 2018-2019
I’m watching this for the 2020/2021 New Year’s celebration to avoid the sleaziness of everything I see on the major networks!
Amen..sure rem these guy n then dick clark never be the same again
I was born in 1954, growing up on President Street in Freeport. Used togo fishing at his restaurant. My mom & dad would let me,my sister and brother watch him ring in New Year Eve when we got a little older.
My Biggest Gift My Daughter was born New Years 12:00am Happy birthday to my Lovely Daughter Tamara Nicole Irvin 1979 you are the biggest gift from god love mommy and daddy i love you little Girl.
This was my kind of New Years Eve music. Sorry gone now. I do not on put New Years eve shows on tv any more. Friends and I have a few drinks and watch old movies.
Rest in Peace Guy!
What a great time! I moved from NYC to Hawaii and never looked back!
When I was a kid I thought this show was really square. My opinion hasn't changed, but I can appreciate now that they were a good band.
Even as a kid I enjoyed this music.I appreciate it even more now♥️Happy New Year.
He almost made it to the next new year's celebrations(died 11/5/1977) Guy still looks good for being 74 (never saw this or any of his late in life performances before) The band is playing just great !! I'm a 78 record collector and am quite familiar with his music.
Quite a few younger people on the dance floor. Wish I were there at the time. They also did great on "I Write the Songs" and "Feelings".
Thanks for posting this gem !
Great tuba playing!!!
+TAnglesmith Bill Troiano is the Tuba player and I will let him know you said so.
I don't know a show like this would air on network television but sometimes what's old is New again to some folks
i like how "i write the songs" and "feelings" were arranged and performed as slow two-steps.
Miss these days, no disrespect to the late Dick Clark, but I grew up on the New Year's Eve by Guy Lombardo...as a young teen, he was the Ace of The New York, Times Square New Year's Eve Celebration ! Brings back fond memories of auld lang syne...
This reminds me of being a little kid on NYE. All my family around the TV, eating Lipton® Soup Onion Dip and drinking soda AT NIGHT. For anyone that thinks Lombardo's music is square, none other than Louis Armstrong loved his band!
Holy smokes, this takes me back ... Guy Lombardo new years eve ... good days.
Well done JE,this is BIG in Lombardo Loversland all over the world,wish the Lombardo Family would get active in UA-cam,and post some of their priceless treasures to music maybe.... I d-r-e-a-m....
Cheers to ALL for 2013 :-)
Warm Regards
Noel from Aus
I was 13 years old then Dec 31st, 1976 and I probably watched this with my mom and dad then!! I kind of remember this!! I turned 14 years old on May 21, 1977. The next year Guy Lombardo's brother took over!
Edwin Harvey Only briefly. Lebert did not consider himself a bandleader and
it was fronted by Victor Lombardo for a while, and then turned over to Lebert's
son Bill. They finally disbanded in 1980. Lebert retired, as Kenny Gardner did
a year or two before. A Guy Lombardo "ghost" band was formed I think a couple
of years later. No original members, but Ty Lemley popped up a couple of
times in the performances
@@dancebandleader Al Pierson, I heard bought the rights to the Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians band around 1989 or so and has been leading it ever since. You can correct me if I am mistaken
Guy is the second cousin to my grandmother, Helen. She told me stories about when she was barley a teen singing on the radio with guy and he offered her to tour with her but her parents said no, you are too young. Lol she would of been famous for her singing and dancing but she might of never had 7 kids and lots and lots of grand, great grand and great great grand children. Guy was an amazing man and so talented! We still enjoy him until this day.
This was a true American tradition. Something we'll never see again.
ENJOYED VERY VERY MUCH
beautiful. it's 11;55 dec 31 2020. Nothin to watch on cable, not like it was so long a go.
I remember as kids we use to stay up and watch this. Most of the time we did not make it to midnight.
Use to watch Guy Lombardo from my folks home in Los Angeles every New Years eve while my folks were out partying with their friends 'was kinda fun'....
I remember this well. We were all watching in my mom's family home in Long island. Ironic this was the last new years eve we spent out there due to the fact my sister met her future husband the following year. Not only this was Guy Lombardo last year it was Ben Grauer last year too as we lost them both in 1977. New years eve is not the same as l also lost many relatives along the way including my dad.
Great job from the Poconos in East Stroudsburg Pa! Brings back young memories. I video taped 1983 - 84 (the whole show with the ball) but nothing replaces good old Guy L...Mr New Years Eve. The crap today?? Just that.
+steve kulick Dick Clark is MR NEW YEARS EVE.
Ty Lemley's banjo playing on Charley My Boy is terrific!
To me it's of interest to note that the last New Years Eve performance at the Waldorf was in 79,which wasn't broadcast.And their very last New Year's performance was in 80 at the Colonade Hotel in Boston which I attended,still under Bill's leadership.Bill then finished at New York's Rainbow Room.
Hello, how are you doing my friend?
I am so Happy you are going to post the rest of the Guy Lombardo New Years Special, New Years Eve is not the Same without Guy, Again thank you for posting this video
When the Flagship Holiday had class.
I remember watching him in the 1970's with my Grandparents.
Me too. Those were the good old times!
Great memories from my childhood
Good to see Kenny Gardner again, Cliff Grass, who used to play clarinet and sax, and also made vocals, retired a couple of years before this show was taped, if I'm not mistaken.
"New York's Glamorous High Society"!!! What fun.
I remember having to watch these as a kid and being bored out of my skull.
I was moving from Houston to Virginia before Christmas, 1976. I owned an antique parlor organ which meant the world to me. As the movers were packing and loading my belongings into their big truck, I must have told them too many times to be careful with my parlor organ. Finally the transport driver asked me to come into the back of the truck. He peeled back a corner of the padding, so I could see my parlor organ. Then he told me he wanted me to see the priceless item which my instrument would be riding on during the trip. He moved a bit of padding for me to see a beautiful lacquered finish. He recovered the item and told me it was Guy Lombardo's grand piano, which was being delivered to New York after my belongings were unloaded in Virginia. I no longer worried about my cheap little instrument, and it happened that Guy's last performance for New Years was the week after my things rode on top of his piano. It's a special memory as I never missed any of his New Years performances. I am so happy you have this performance preserved!
Remember seeing this on TV as a youngster.
If you look at the crowd for this show, the amazing thing is how relatively young this crowd was for a show that was clearly NOT Rock 'n Roll or Disco (which by then was reaching its peak as would be seen not too long after with the opening of Studio 54). There definitely were older people there as well, but not nearly as many as you would have expected for this type of a show.
Also, while Times Square itself was crowded, the crowds DID NOT go nearly as far back as they do now. Part of that was crime in New York was rampant during the second half of the '60s through the early '90s, but a lot of it was you didn't have people having the NEED to be in Times Square you seem to have now. Even the one time I went to Times Square for the ball drop in 1984-'85, I actually went up north to 50th and Broadway and had a clear shot of the ball dropping up on a hill and hardly anyone else was there! Now that area is crowded by 5:00 PM or so.
This is really great. There is a great pan showing my father in-law, trombonist, Donald "Coop" Cooper. Are there any more videos of from this era, showing Don?. Don played with the Royal Canadians from 1966 until Guy Lombardo's death.
+Bill Lytle Hi Bill, I knew your father-in-law. We talked on the phone a few times before he passed on. I have two other videos of him. Send me a private message.
Joe Enroughty
The blond trombonist next to him is my father, Amos P. Bond.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
2019!
I was a kid the last time Guy Lombardo represented New Year's Eve. Even then, I realized that the "updated" New Year's celebrations were unwatchable and found it to be Trash...And I was a kid! I have never again been interested in watching New Years Celebrations. I stay up for other shows, but never for the crap that they have put on since.