New Year's Eve With Guy Lombardo, 1994

This is a video of a 1994 PBS television special titled "New Year's Eve with Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians". The program included Gavin MacLeod as emcee, vocalist Rosemary Loar, and Al Pierson directing the modern Lombardo band, interspersed with archival clips of the original Lombardo band. For most of the 20th Century, Guy Lombardo and New Year's Eve were synonymous with each other. It just wasn't New Year's Eve without Guy Lombardo!
This video was copied from a VHS cassette recording of this program, so the visual quality may not be not equal to the original broadcast.
This show is typical of the great programs offered by PBS stations over the years. PBS offers programming that is unobtainable anywhere else. We should all support our PBS station in any way we can.

[@Pierre46pb]

I AM 77 NOW, ALWAYS BE A FAN OF THIS GUY LOMBARDO ...THANKS

[@charlieirvin5423]

New Years eve has Never been the same without Guy and Auld Lang Syne

[@CJBlanda]

Love this Dance Music.

[@cheri238]

Guy Lombardo his Royal Canadians and New Year's Eve. What memories!!!💗

[@frankrizzo4460]

Yes indeed, I remember as a little kid I would stay up till after midnight with my Mom and Dad and grandparents. Great memories of that time. Happy New Year 🎉🥂

[@Tbpker22]

Please bring back the Guy Lombardo music to brighten up the world again!

[@markmoil3012]

63... alone .... an hour before 2020... and I am finding solace listening to the sounds of New Years past. Wish you all a happy, healthy, and hopefully for all of us,a more compassionate New Year

[@dwtpa97]

Happy New Year to you, also. Thanks for your post.

[@junekalinowski8932]

We need a revival of guy lombardo, good music.

[@maureenarnold8573]

Grew up watching Guy Lombardo every New Years eve. It brings back so many memories of parents hosting "cocktail parties" ..guests dressed in beautiful dresses and suits! My mom had a crush on Kenny Gardner and always sang along when he sang "Enjoy Yourself.."

[@ronnymatthews4133]

I,was born in ,54,but my heart and soul started in the 40s Muusic.Mmmm.!

[@sambradley2975]

I grew up watching both Dick Clark & Guy Lombardo, sadly both have passed on, & it hasn't been the same since, but it is comforting that their legacy lives on, there will never be another Dick Clark or Guy Lombardo, I'm so blessed to remember them both.

[@dwtpa97]

Yes, we miss Dick Clark and Guy Lombardo when New Year's Eve comes around. Thanks for your comment -

[@charlieirvin5423]

Guy Lombardo Missed But Never forgotten

[@roybodden9243]

Love that Guy Lombardo sound. I'll watch these old programs all year 'round! Loved hearing his brother Carmen sing! Plus, Carmen was a fine composer as well.

[@paulieb67]

It was great to see Rick Henley, Rich Szabo, Kenny Rupp & Larry Puentes in that great band! I didn't spot other local musicians but I'll bet there were others!

[@phyllisgrellman4741]

I will be watching this tomorrow night! Thank you Guy Lombardo for all the New Year’s we had together. You were so right Guy “You took New Year’s with you”!

[@dwtpa97]

Thank you, Phyllis. Yes, Guy WAS New Year's Eve. Thanks for your comment, and Happy New Year!

[@user-tv8mg2vh5f]

When I Go, I’m Taking New Year’s Eve With Me. Boy, was Guy right about that!!!

[@keithstras5200]

For 15 years this is how I used to spend NEW YEARS EVE ..with my Grandparents. Before I found out, My Grandfather used to set the Clocks at their house to match the New York time So I would go to bed thinking it was Midnight in Chicago....Such great memories...My eyes filled with tears watching this...How I wish my grandparents were still here...My grandmother would be swearing vacuuming up the confetti the next day.....Memories that I'll always cherish...

[@maryoliver8596]

It seems so good to see people who know how to dance.

[@dwtpa97]

Yes, it is delightful to watch good dancing. Thanks for your post -

[@willmack5909]

The first New Year's Eve I remember was 1976 going into 1977 and I remember my Aunt having Guy Lombardo on, so I am JUST old enough to remember Guy Lombardo....barely, but I do remember him. I was 10 at the time, now here I am 54 and with an even greater appreciation for Mr. Lombardo and this music. Dick Clark was great, but now that he's gone too, as well as my dear Aunt who I referenced earlier, New Year's Eve is far less fun to me anymore. This video is very comforting, thank you for this, and may we all have a much happier and much healthier 2021...God Bless.

[@dwtpa97]

Thanks for your interesting comments, and Happy New Year!

[@kenrozmislowicz7788]

I started watching Guy Lombardo back in the mid 1960s every New Year’s Eve with my mom and dad and when he died in 1977 New Year’s Eve was not the same without Guy Lombardo

[@neko_adami]

"Million Dollar Baby" is So beautiful

[@stanarmstrong1301]

Wow! What memories.

[@paulso9281]

Al Pierson (spelling?) has done a remarkably good job of prolonging the Lombardo approach. His ensemble has improved dramatically, and his reverence for the original arrangements is, thankfully, recognized and appreciated. I’d sure like to know what all he had to go through to get the licensing and legal rights in order to pull this off. Congratulations and thanks! In the beginning, the faithful re-creations were pretty rough, but there have been some years to achieve near perfection. I have deeply loved Lombardo for nearly 70 years, and I don’t think I’ve missed hearing and studying his enormous catalog of records. I know those arrangements down to the last vibration. I greeted with considerable apprehension the takeover by Pearson. But he has done well. This program, of course, focuses on the Lombardo standards. I’d be curious to know how AP is bringing into his repertoire new arrangements and new songs. So much of Lombardo’s success revolved around the brilliant arrangements done by Larry Owens and others, to say nothing of the quality of the songs Lombardo chose. I’d really love to know much more about those arrangers and the rehearsals that perfected those performances. Good work, Al, especially in getting that blessed sax section so marvelously perfected. Thank you. Thank you. PBS, please give us more of this wonderful stuff.

[@roybodden9243]

Guy Lombardo once said that when he died he was going to take New Year's Eve with him! Quests what? He did! Have you seen the sick New Years Eve celebrations on TV over the past 30 years or so? SICK! I've seen some of the replays since I go to church on New Year's Eve's and they are terrible! We miss you Guy!

[@dwtpa97]

Yes, Guy Lombardo had a wonderful way with New Years Eve that we all miss. Thanks for your comment -

[@frdjr2529]

Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians had class, something totally lacking today. New Year's Eve programming today is dreadful.

[@williamfulgham2010]

@@frdjr2529 I agree that so much has changed. However they made such an indelible impression on the New Year's celebration, that their recordings of Auld Lang Syne have become synonymous with New Year's worldwide.

[@donwheeler6197]

I like how the video shows each musician playing his part, so you get a feel for how the layers of music come together for that smooth sound! A little different from watching a rock concert....

[@dwtpa97]

Yes, Don Wheeler ! I agree - it's a well-formatted show that moves along quickly, and really shows off the musicians. Thanks for your comment!

[@kyldy]

This was a tradition at our house and little did i know that 1976 would be the last time we would see Guy he passed and i found out the day my eldest so was born 41 years ago

[@dwtpa97]

Thanks for your recollections of this great band, Carolyn Lightfoot!

[@MrGGPRI]

A fine easy listening run of Guy's songs; Rosemary is captivating but thought the tempo was a bit high so slowed to 0.75 and then was perfect. Although this was NYE 1994, the early clips would be from the early 1940's and in total makes for an interesting A/V; a nice tribute to Guy, his band and singers.

[@danielthomas3057]

When my sugar walks down the street all the little birdies go tweet tweet tweet. Always loved this rendition of this song the most. Cliff Grass sings it so well.

[@LandondeeL]

So long Gavin, and thank you for help making my more recent New Years Eve's happy ones!

[@dwtpa97]

Amen! And thanks for your post!

[@LandondeeL]

Thank you! My New Years Eve has been saved!!!!!!

[@dwtpa97]

Thanks for your post, Landondeel. Guy Lombardo certainly made our New Year's Eve!

[@jamespeppers1246]

It's not New Years Eve without Guy and his version of Auld Lang Syne

[@dwtpa97]

You're right, James! Thanks for your comment -

[@egreenbery]

That is THE version of Auld Lang Syne, for those of us who can remember

[@allenmartens3253]

Particularly loved Rosemary Loar's songs.

[@lailasile182]

💯🎁🌟

[@AndrewsOpinion15]

GREAT NEW YEAR EVE 1994 WITH GUY LOMBARDO !!!

[@dwtpa97]

Yes, this program made it a Great New Year! Thanks, Andrew, for your post -

[@yoraffetto]

Guy was such a talented band leader. Class guy.

[@dwtpa97]

Yes, yo raffetto, Guy was a classy guy, and he made New Year's Eve. Thanks for your comment.

[@frankrizzo4460]

Yes indeed I totally agree with you.🎉🥂

[@paullasher952]

Just watched the 1977 - 1978 New Years Eve. broadcast after Guy Lumbardo"s death and Victor Lumbardo conducted the band! Like Kenny Gardner said in this special that they where not fine you can see it on there faces on that broadcast after Guy Lumbardo's death that the grife was still in there faces that night of New Years Eve 1977 - 1978 ever though Victor Lumbardo took his brother Guy's place and Conducted Guy Lumbardo Royal Canadians that night!

[@bigd4746]

So glad I found this. I don’t watch the crap they show now. Just not the same

[@dwtpa97]

Thanks for your comment -

[@danielarick2105]

Now someone should upload the other Lombardo that was done the same year as this one on PBS

[@dwtpa97]

Didn't know about a second show. Thanks for your post -

[@danielarick2105]

@@dwtpa97 It was called "Guy Lombardo The Sweetest Music this Side of Heaven", I believe, it has been awhile since I even watched the tape I have of it

[@dwtpa97]

Daniel Arick, It's too bad you have no way of converting the VHS tape to video, and then posting it on KZbin. Trying to make a VHS to VHS copy doesn't work well, because it loses resolution. But VHS to video works pretty well. I'll keep an eye out for that show, but it's doubtful that it will show up after all this time. Thanks for your post -

[@hllyenaylleth9576]

The same year the Soviet Uinon dissolved.

[@galf44]

Es una banda inolvidable aun conservo dos L.P.'s. y acabo de ver la fista de fin de año 1996-1997 que fué la última y además mi nombre es Gustavo A. Lombardo ojalá y pueda contactar a alguien de la familia vivo en México.

[@mushmorant9253]

Actually Carmen was probably the band's most popular vocalist. He continued to be much in demand as a singer even after Kenny took on the lion's share of the vocal duties (I believe he was hired because Carmen no longer wished to continue in the role of lead vocalist) when he joined the band in 1940.

[@dwtpa97]

Thanks for the background info - it adds a lot to the enjoyment of the program.

[@danielarick2105]

You are partly correct as Carmen actually hated to sing,was greatly relieved when Kenny came along,but he occasionally sang in the role of soloist when needed or in duos trios or even quartet

[@sambradley2975]

I remember this, it wasn't the same. Unlike Ryan Seacrest & New Years Rockin Eve, this didn't have staying power. Most of them that are still alive, still perform. I don't know if they showed this in the year just passed .

[@enricosanchez894]

I can dig it.

[@dwtpa97]

Thanks for your comment, Enrico!

[@kylebulger4240]

When did PBS air new years eve with guy lembardo royal Canadians?

[@zacharybowen4247]

Guy lambardo died in 1977. Last broadcast New year's Eve 1976

[@dwtpa97]

Yes, this broadcast with the new Guy Lombardo Orchestra was almost 30 years after Guy's passing. Thanks for the information -

[@zacharybowen4247]

oh ok that makes a little more sense

[@sambradley2975]

Guy Lombardo passed away in 1977.

[@trctheraulchannel2023isback]

No reports from Times Square?

[@LandondeeL]

This special was recorded before New Year's Eve.

[@viking670]

Kinda brings ya to days of shopping in Loblaws for looking for a sale on Tide don't it !?

[@tombaxter9996]

Great Show, Cannot be matched by the current specials

[@frankrizzo4460]

​@@tombaxter9996Yes I totally agree with you. Happy New Year's 🎉🥂

[@jpolar394]

The one dislike for this show must be a millennial. Thanks for this video. 👍

[@theessentials450]

Weird. I have no memory of ever watching this guy. Dick Clark kicked him out.

[@roybodden9243]

Pardon me, the second sentence should have read "Guess what?"

[@matthewlyon1528]

20:52

[@carltriangolo1384]

First I have to say that it’s hard to believe that its been almost 25 years since I first saw this show.It was nice to see Tye Lemley and the late Kenny Gardner again.But I must say that this ghost band,which I saw personally several times,never really captured the magic of the Lombardo sound.Nice try though.

[@dwtpa97]

Yes, it's hard to believe how the time has flown. Thanks for your comment -