Norma Zimmer, R. I. P.

Norma Zimmer, best remembered as the Champagne Lady on The Lawrence Welk Show from 1960 until it ceased production in 1982, passed away on Tuesday at her home in Brea, California at age 87.


Before becoming the Champagne Lady, Norma was a studio vocalist and had worked with such pop stars as Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby.


On the Welk show, Norma sang solo or did romantic and inspirational duets with Jimmy Roberts.


It was after a year or so after the departure of Alice Lon, and a search by Lawrence for a replacement, that after several stints as a guest, Norma was named the permanent Champagne Lady.


Here's Norma in a kinescope clip from a 1961 ABC Network telecast of The Lawrence Welk Show, singing "Always."





From the January 13, 1968 telecast of said program, here are Norma and Jimmy singing "Wonderful One."





Rest in peace, Norma.

It's Waltz Time!

From 1962, in this clip from an ABC telecast of The Lawrence Welk Show, here are the Champagne Music Makers performing "Skater's Waltz." 





Yes, that's Lawrence dancing with Champagne Lady Norma Zimmer.

Time For A Visit From Suzy!

Suzy Snowflake, that is. This 1951 made-for-TV short, "Suzy Snowflake," was produced by Centaur Productions (for Alamo Music) using stop-motion animation.







The Norman Luboff Choir provided the vocal, with Suzy's voice provided by future Lawrence Welk Champagne Lady Norma Zimmer.