Bob Ralston, PianistPianist on Lawrence Welk Show from 1963 to 1982Bob Ralston was a pianist on the Lawrence Welk Show from 1963 to 1982. He took over accordion duties in the band after the death of Jerry Burke and performed with fellow pianist Jo Ann Castle on the show in the 1960's. Ralston was a child prodigy who was born in Los Angeles, CA in 1938. Ralston began performing while attending college at USC, playing for the Freddie Martin orchestra at the Coconut Grove on the Sunset Strip. Welk hired Ralston in 1963 as a member of the band. Bob Ralston Performs Cumana | ||||