Difference between revisions of "Rocky Rockwell"
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A native of St. Joseph, [[Missouri]], Rockwell was the son of an electrician who took an interest in the development of Rocky's musical talent. Rockwell and his future wife, Pauline Wood, graduated from Benton High School. He then studied at Maryville State Teachers College, now Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri. He began working with local bands and during [[World War II]] played with the 765th Air Force Band, stationed in part with the United States Army Air Corps in [[Europe]].<ref name=bio>{{cite web|url= | A native of St. Joseph, [[Missouri]], Rockwell was the son of an electrician who took an interest in the development of Rocky's musical talent. Rockwell and his future wife, Pauline Wood, graduated from Benton High School. He then studied at Maryville State Teachers College, now Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri. He began working with local bands and during [[World War II]] played with the 765th Air Force Band, stationed in part with the United States Army Air Corps in [[Europe]].<ref name=bio>{{cite web|url= | ||
http://stjtelegraph.org/?p=5156|title=St. Joseph Native Rocky Rockwell Dies|author=Duane Thies|date=January 29, 2014|publisher=''St. Joseph Telegraph''|location=St. Joseph, Missouri|accessdate=November 29, 2015}}</ref> | http://stjtelegraph.org/?p=5156|title=St. Joseph Native Rocky Rockwell Dies|author=Duane Thies|date=January 29, 2014|publisher=''St. Joseph Telegraph''|location=St. Joseph, Missouri|accessdate=November 29, 2015}}</ref> | ||
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| + | In 1951, Rockwell was working in a [[polka]] band in Grand Island, [[Nebraska]], on radio station KMMJ. [[Lawrence Welk]] was in the area and urged Rockwell to audition with the Welk band in St. Joseph. Rockwell took the train to St. Joseph for the audition. With his family and friends in the audience, Rockwell was well received and was hired by Welk. He sang "Sunny Side of the Street." | ||
Rockwell died at the age of ninety in Sun City, [[Arizona]]. He and his wife, who died in 2000, had two children, one deceased.<ref name=bio/> | Rockwell died at the age of ninety in Sun City, [[Arizona]]. He and his wife, who died in 2000, had two children, one deceased.<ref name=bio/> | ||
Revision as of 00:10, November 30, 2015
'Bland Sidney Rockwell, known as Rocky Rockwell (March 2, 1923 – December 14, 2013), was a novelty singer and trumpet player on twelve sporadic episodes beginning with the premiere on July 2, 1955, of the American Broadcasting Company variety series, The Lawrence Welk Show.[1]
A native of St. Joseph, Missouri, Rockwell was the son of an electrician who took an interest in the development of Rocky's musical talent. Rockwell and his future wife, Pauline Wood, graduated from Benton High School. He then studied at Maryville State Teachers College, now Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri. He began working with local bands and during World War II played with the 765th Air Force Band, stationed in part with the United States Army Air Corps in Europe.[2]
In 1951, Rockwell was working in a polka band in Grand Island, Nebraska, on radio station KMMJ. Lawrence Welk was in the area and urged Rockwell to audition with the Welk band in St. Joseph. Rockwell took the train to St. Joseph for the audition. With his family and friends in the audience, Rockwell was well received and was hired by Welk. He sang "Sunny Side of the Street."
Rockwell died at the age of ninety in Sun City, Arizona. He and his wife, who died in 2000, had two children, one deceased.[2]
References
{{reflist}]
- ↑ Rocky Rockwell. Internet Movie Data Base. Retrieved on November 29, 2015.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Duane Thies (January 29, 2014). St. Joseph Native Rocky Rockwell Dies. St. Joseph Telegraph. Retrieved on November 29, 2015.