Larry Ferrari
Encyclopedia
Larry Ferrari born Lazarus Louis Ferrari, was an American
organist
who hosted The Larry Ferrari Show from 1954 to 1997 on WPVI-TV
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
, USA
, a weekly Sunday morning half hour program of organ
music.
. He changed his name to "Larry" when a nun suggested he American-ize it. Ferrari's career in music started as a young child of 11 years old, performing at his local church. Not long after he was playing at a local skating rink.
His career in broadcasting got its start shortly after he joined the United States Army
in 1952. It was there, while idly passing the time during leave by playing the organ, that he came to the notice of his Commanding Officer as a likely person to put on the "Soldier Parade" with Arlene Francis
(later of What's My Line?
fame). Shortly afterward, Ferrari performed on a number of public service recordings that were distributed coast to coast. An avid amateur radio
operator, he held the call of WA2MKI and was heard nearly daily on the air talking to his friends as he drove to and from his home in New Jersey
to the television studio.
The Larry Ferrari Show was seen in the Delaware Valley
for 43 years on Sunday mornings. Ferrari's show lasted longer than any other show on Channel 6 with the exception of Chief Halftown. He was also the Lowrey Organ company's National Concert Artist. He also made cameos as the house band on the syndicated Wheel of Fortune
during their visit to the former Philadelphia Civic Center in Fall 1992.
. He was 65 and a resident of Cinnaminson, New Jersey.
). Ferrari provided the music for Captain Noah, Chief Halftown, and Dialing for Dollars
. Teaching many classes at Fox Chase elementary school in Philadelphia, Ferrari also helped teach school children music.
2. Reminiscwe, RCA Victor Living Stereo LSP-1850 (Schwann catalog 1-59)
Source: Schwann Catalog, April 1960 p. 203
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
organist
Organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
who hosted The Larry Ferrari Show from 1954 to 1997 on WPVI-TV
WPVI-TV
WPVI-TV, channel 6, is an owned-and-operated television station of the Walt Disney Company-owned American Broadcasting Company, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. WPVI has its studios located on the border between Philadelphia and Bala Cynwyd, and its transmitter is located in the...
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, a weekly Sunday morning half hour program of organ
Organ (music)
The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
music.
Biography
Ferrari was born in BostonBoston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
. He changed his name to "Larry" when a nun suggested he American-ize it. Ferrari's career in music started as a young child of 11 years old, performing at his local church. Not long after he was playing at a local skating rink.
His career in broadcasting got its start shortly after he joined the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
in 1952. It was there, while idly passing the time during leave by playing the organ, that he came to the notice of his Commanding Officer as a likely person to put on the "Soldier Parade" with Arlene Francis
Arlene Francis
Arlene Francis was an American actress, radio talk show host, and game show panelist...
(later of What's My Line?
What's My Line?
What's My Line? is a panel game show which originally ran in the United States on the CBS Television Network from 1950 to 1967, with several international versions and subsequent U.S. revivals. The game tasked celebrity panelists with questioning contestants in order to determine their occupations....
fame). Shortly afterward, Ferrari performed on a number of public service recordings that were distributed coast to coast. An avid amateur radio
Amateur radio
Amateur radio is the use of designated radio frequency spectrum for purposes of private recreation, non-commercial exchange of messages, wireless experimentation, self-training, and emergency communication...
operator, he held the call of WA2MKI and was heard nearly daily on the air talking to his friends as he drove to and from his home in New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
to the television studio.
The Larry Ferrari Show was seen in the Delaware Valley
Delaware Valley
The Delaware Valley is a term used to refer to the valley where the Delaware River flows, along with the surrounding communities. This includes the metropolitan area centered on the city of Philadelphia. Such educational institutions as Delaware Valley Regional High School in Alexandria Township...
for 43 years on Sunday mornings. Ferrari's show lasted longer than any other show on Channel 6 with the exception of Chief Halftown. He was also the Lowrey Organ company's National Concert Artist. He also made cameos as the house band on the syndicated Wheel of Fortune
Wheel of Fortune (U.S. game show)
Wheel of Fortune is an American television game show created by Merv Griffin, which premiered in 1975. Contestants compete to solve word puzzles, similar to those used in Hangman, to win cash and prizes determined by spinning a large wheel. The title refers to the show's giant carnival wheel that...
during their visit to the former Philadelphia Civic Center in Fall 1992.
Death
Ferrari's last broadcast aired on Sunday, November 20, 1997 at 6:30 am. Ferrari died on November 30, 1997 after a battle with leukemiaLeukemia
Leukemia or leukaemia is a type of cancer of the blood or bone marrow characterized by an abnormal increase of immature white blood cells called "blasts". Leukemia is a broad term covering a spectrum of diseases...
. He was 65 and a resident of Cinnaminson, New Jersey.
Legacy
On November 16, 2000, Ferrari was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia. The award was accepted on his behalf by long time colleague W. Carter Merbreier (Captain Noah and His Magical ArkCaptain Noah and His Magical Ark
Captain Noah and His Magical Ark was a television program for children and was generally broadcast around the Philadelphia area. The series aired from 1967 to 1994. It was film and produced at the WPVI-TV, Channel 6 studios in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.Captain Noah and His Magical Ark, was...
). Ferrari provided the music for Captain Noah, Chief Halftown, and Dialing for Dollars
Dialing for Dollars
Dialing for Dollars was a franchised format local television program in the United States and Canada, popular in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s.-Format:...
. Teaching many classes at Fox Chase elementary school in Philadelphia, Ferrari also helped teach school children music.
Recordings
1. Relax, RCA Victor LPM-1496 (mono)2. Reminiscwe, RCA Victor Living Stereo LSP-1850 (Schwann catalog 1-59)
Source: Schwann Catalog, April 1960 p. 203