Mahlon Clark

Mahlon Clark
Born (1923-03-07)March 7, 1923
Portsmouth, Virginia, United States
Died September 20, 2007(2007-09-20) (aged 84)
Occupation(s) Big band musician
Instruments Clarinet, saxophone, flute
Years active circa 1933–2007
Associated acts Lawrence Welk Orchestra

Mahlon Clark (March 7, 1923 – September 20, 2007) was an American musician who was a member of the Lawrence Welk orchestra from 1962 to 1968. His primary instrument was the clarinet.

Born and raised in Portsmouth, Virginia, Clark started out in vaudeville as a child. Later as a teenager, he became a big band musician playing for the Ray McKinley and Will Bradley bands, among others. Relocating to California during World War II, after serving in the armed forces, found employment at Paramount Pictures where he performed music on many movie soundtracks.

He was hired by Welk in 1962 to join his orchestra and his television show. For six years, he played both the clarinet, saxophone and flute for a weekly national television audience and on stage when the Music Makers went out on tour. After leaving the Welk organization, Clark continued to perform on many more movie soundtracks and with numerous artists such as Frank Sinatra and Madonna. He was replaced by reedman Dave Edwards before the new T.V. taping sessions in 1968.

Personal life

He was married twice, first to big band vocalist Imogene Lynn, whom he met while with Ray McKinley's band and later to Kathy Lennon of the Lennon Sisters.[1]

Discography

With Louis Bellson

Clarinetist for "Members of the Benny Goodman Orchestra" recordings for Crown Records 1960's-late 1970's.

References

  1. ↑ Stewart, Jocelyn (10 October 2007). "Mahlon Clark, 84; clarinetist played with Welk, Sinatra and Madonna". latimes.com. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 17 March 2015.
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