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Johnny Klein, Drummer (1957 - 1976)
Johnny
Klein, Lawrence Welk's second cousin, was
born in Strasburg, North Dakota, in 1918, the son of
German-Russian parents, the oldest of a family of
five children. Johnny was a talented and trained
musician, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree
in Music Education from the University of Missouri
in 1948. He earned a Master's Degree in Music
Education at the University of Missouri in 1951.
While Johnny was studying in Missouri, Lawrence Welk
came to St. Louis for an engagement and encouraged
his cousin to join the band. He joined the Welk
Band in August, 1951 in Los Angeles and played
through 1976, when several heart attacks forced him
to retire. He was replaced by drummer Paul
Humphrey.
Ill health due to a bleeding ulcer ended his full
time career with the Welk Band, but after he
recovered, he would often play for the Sunday
Swing at the Welk Resort in Escondido, with a group
called the Journeymen. He also played on weekends at
Barbata's, a club in the Woodland Hills area of the
Valley, until his complete retirement in the early
1990's.
Klein passed away in 1997.
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