Norma Zimmer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Norma Zimmer
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Zimmer in 1961
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Norma Larsen |
| Born | July 13, 1923 Larson, Idaho, U.S. |
| Died | May 10, 2011 (aged 87) Brea, California, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Vocalist |
| Associated acts |
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Norma Zimmer (born July 13, 1923 – died May 10, 2011) was a famous American singer. Many people remember her as the "Champagne Lady" on The Lawrence Welk Show. She sang on the show for 22 years!
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Early Life and Music Beginnings
Norma Larsen was born on a dairy farm in Shoshone County, Idaho. When she was two years old, her family moved to Seattle, Washington. Her father taught violin, and Norma hoped to play too. But he told her her hands were too small for the instrument. So, she decided to focus on singing instead.
Norma was offered a scholarship to Seattle University. However, she chose to keep studying voice. She sang in a church choir. A guest artist heard her and suggested she try out for a music group in Los Angeles, California.
When Norma turned 18, she moved to Los Angeles. She sang with many top vocal groups. These included the Norman Luboff Choir and the Ken Darby Singers.
In 1944, Norma married Randy Zimmer, a builder. They lived in Los Angeles and were married for 64 years. Randy passed away in 2008. Norma and Randy had two sons, Mark and Ron.
Singing on Radio and TV
Norma Zimmer first sang as a solo artist on the radio in 1947. This was on a show called Sparkle Time. She also sang weekly on the program as part of a vocal group called The Singers. Later, she became the main singer on Standard School.
During the 1950s, Norma appeared on many popular TV variety shows. She had a small singing role in the Bing Crosby movie Mr. Music (1950). She also provided the singing voice for the White Rose in the Disney film Alice in Wonderland (1951). She worked as a studio singer and sang on Lawrence Welk's Thanksgiving album in 1956.
Becoming the Champagne Lady
In 1959, the singer known as the "Champagne Lady," Alice Lon, left The Lawrence Welk Show. This happened because of disagreements about money and her schedule. Fans were upset, and Welk tried to get Alice back, but he couldn't. For a year, the show tried out different singers.
Finally, Norma Zimmer officially joined The Lawrence Welk Show as the new Champagne Lady. Her first show was on New Year's Eve, 1960. Norma stayed with the show and traveled with Welk and the band for three years.
As her two sons grew up, Norma wanted to spend more time with them. She decided to stop touring. Welk told her it was okay to stop traveling. But he asked her to stay on the TV show until he could find another singer. Each week, a new singer would try out as a possible replacement. But Welk kept asking Norma to come back the next week. This went on for twenty years!
As the show's Champagne Lady, Norma Zimmer sang one solo song each week. She often sang a duet, usually with Jimmy Roberts. She also frequently danced with Lawrence Welk at the end of the show.
Recordings and Christian Music
Norma Zimmer was a lead soprano singer in several groups. These included the Norman Luboff Choir, Voices of Walter Schumann, Pete King Chorale, and the Ken Darby Singers. She also sang with a quartet called The Girlfriends. They sang backup for famous singers like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Perry Como. The Girlfriends also sang backup for Bing Crosby's famous version of Irving Berlin's song "White Christmas".
Norma Zimmer also recorded her own solo albums for Word Records.
In 1972, Norma traveled a lot to sing Christian music. She sang at religious concerts and with the Billy Graham Crusade. She was also a soloist on the TV show Hour of Power. She even sang at a service at the White House during the Nixon Administration. Norma recorded many albums of traditional Christian music.
Other Hobbies and Businesses
Norma Zimmer enjoyed painting as a hobby. She created over 100 paintings, mostly portraits of people. She and her husband also owned a ski lodge at Kratka Ridge. They also owned a mobile home park with more than 100 spaces.
Later Years
Norma Zimmer passed away in 2011 at her home in Brea, California. She was 87 years old.
