Dick Dale

Richard L. Dale (September 14, 1926 – March 16, 2014) was an American singer and musician, best known as a featured singer and saxophone player on the television variety show The Lawrence Welk Show.

A native of Algona, Iowa, he served in the United States Navy during World War II after graduation from Algona High School. His entertainment career began when he worked for several bands such as Harold Loeffelmacher and his Six Fat Dutchmen polka band. He was discovered by Lawrence Welk in 1951.

During his tenure on The Lawrence Welk Show, in addition to playing the saxophone, Dale sang not just solos but also in duets, performed in comedy sketches, dances, and also played Santa Claus for many years on the Christmas shows. Even after the show ended when its host went into retirement in 1982, he continued to perform with his fellow Welk alumni. From 1990 to 1996, he co-owned and operated the Rainbow Music Theater in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, with fellow Welk star Ava Barber.

He married his wife, Marguerite, in 1949, and they had four children. After making their home in Sparks, Nevada, for several years, the Dales moved back to his hometown of Algona, Iowa in 2006. He died there in 2014.

Birth and Death Data: Born September 14, 1926 (Algona), Died December 26, 2014 (Algona)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1956

Roles Represented in DAHR: vocalist

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca L 8883 1/20/1956 McNamara's band Lawrence Welk and his Champagne Music vocalist  
Decca L 8884 1/20/1956 When Irish eyes are smiling Lawrence Welk and his Champagne Music vocalist  
Decca L 8885 1/23/1956 Ireland must be heaven for my mother came from here Lawrence Welk and his Champagne Music vocalist  
Decca L 8886 1/20/1956 A little bit of heaven Lawrence Welk and his Champagne Music vocalist  
Decca L 8887 1/23/1956 Irish alphabet Lawrence Welk and his Champagne Music vocalist  
Decca L 8888 1/23/1956 'Tis the luck of the Irish Lawrence Welk and his Champagne Music vocalist  
Decca L 8889 1/18/1956 My heart danced an Irish jig Lawrence Welk and his Champagne Music vocalist  
Decca L 8890 1/18/1956 Wild colonial boy Lawrence Welk and his Champagne Music vocalist  
Decca L 8891 1/20/1956 The story of Kevin Barry Lawrence Welk and his Champagne Music vocalist  
Decca L 8892 1/23/1956 An Irish soldier boy Lawrence Welk and his Champagne Music vocalist  
Decca L 8893 1/18/1956 Dance aroun' a stack of barley Lawrence Welk and his Champagne Music vocalist  
Decca L 8894 1/18/1956 Shamrocks, shillelaghs & shenanigans Lawrence Welk and his Champagne Music vocalist  
Decca L 9179 4/20/1956 I've grown accustomed to her face Lawrence Welk and his Champagne Music vocalist  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Dale, Dick," accessed April 24, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/310740.

Dale, Dick. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 24, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/310740.

"Dale, Dick." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 24 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/310740

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