Larry Ferrari

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Larry Ferrari (1932 – November 20, 1997), 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.

[edit] Biography

Ferrari was born in Boston. 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.^{[citation needed]}

"The Larry Ferrari Show" was on and off the air in the Delaware Valley for about 43 years on Sunday mornings. Larry's show lasted longer (43 years) than any other show on Channel 6 with the exception of Chief Halftown.^[1] He was also the Lowrey Organ company's National Concert Artist.

Ferrari's last broadcast aired on Sunday, November 30, 1997 at 6:30 am. Larry died from cancer November 20, 1997 after a battle with leukemia. He was 65 and a resident of Cinnaminson, New Jersey.

On Thursday, November 16, 2000 at the Bala Golf Club, 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 Ark). Ferrari provided the music for Capain Noah, Chief Halftown, and Dialing for Dollars.

LPs

1. Relax, RCA Victor LPM-1496 (mono)
2. Reminisce, RCA Victor Living Stereo LSP-1850 (Schwann catalog 1-59)

Source : Schwann Catalog, April 1960 p. 203