|
Neil LeVang,
Banjo And Guitar (1959-1982)
LeVang Was A North Dakota Native Who Joined In 1959 Hired To
Replace Buddy Merrill But Pair Ended Up Performing Together
Neil
LeVang was a popular and long-time guitar
and banjo player on the Lawrence Welk show. LeVang was
born in Adams, North Dakota in 1932 and moved to
Riverside, CA in 1945. After graduating high school,
LeVang enlisted in the US Coast Guard and began
playing in various bands and a local children's TV
show with Sherriff Jim "Texas" Lewis. In the 1950's,
LeVang returned to Hollywood and played regularly
for Jim Wakely's radio show on CBS. In 1959, LeVang
joined the Lawrence Welk Show on
a temporary basis to replace Buddy Merrill while he
left to serve in the U.S. Army. Mr. Welk was so
impressed with LeVang, however, that he hired him
full-time when Merrill returned in 1961. LeVang
remained with the Show up until 1982.
LeVang
retired in Santa Clarita, CA where he
continued to play his Fender Stratocaster. LeVang
passed away on January 26, 2015.
|