Lawrence Welk Show
 
Larry Dean, Singer (1956-1962)

Larry DeanLarry Dean is an American vocalist who sang on the Lawrence Welk Show from 1956 to 1962. Dean was born in Bridgewater, Iowa on June 4, 1936, the son of Loren and Jennie Bauer. After graduating high school in 1952 at the age of 16, Dean began singing with the Ray Palmer band in Iowa before briefly attending the University of Minnesota in 1954 at the school's McPhail School of Music. Between 1954 and 1956, Dean sang with a number of bands including the Jules Herman band, Jimmy Palmer band and Jan Garber band. Jules Herman, you may recall, played in the Lawrence Welk Orchestra in the late 1930's and was married to Champagne lady, Lois Best. 


Larry DeanDean married his first wife, Alice Fay Fant, in 1955 (divorced 1963) and joined the Lawrence Welk Show in 1956. He became a popular vocalist who often sang duets with Dianne Lennon. His song, "Ponytail," was a popular song in the late 1950's. Dean continued singing after leaving the show in 1962 and remarried Polly Mercedes Wood in 1969. In 1970, he became a production stage manager for the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera, where he stayed until 1980. From 1981 to 1987, Dean worked as a production stage manager in both LA and New York, including as a production stage manager for "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" on Broadway in 1982. Dean has four children from his first wife, two stepchildren from his second and lives in Los Angeles.

Larry Dean and Dianne Lennon Sing "Ponytail" (1958)