Robert Trout reports live from Times Square in New York City, ushering in the year 1958. Music by Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians.          

Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians usher in the year 1961 along with Vincent Lopez and his orchestra. Robert Trout reports the festivities from Times Square.             

Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians usher in 1962.             

Beginning in 1929, a New Year's Eve Tradition...Guy Lombardo & his Royal Canadians. Guy Lombardo was best known to TV audiences for his annual New Year's Eve telecasts. His brothers Carmen (the band's musical director), Victor, & Lebert were all members of the orchestra. Guy, the eldest, was designated the leader. For most of his years in television, Guy Lombardo represented nostalgia for the '30s and '40s. At midnight the traditional welcoming in of the New Year at Times Square is presented. Jack Lescoulie brings in the New Year at Times Square.   

The best-known New Year's Eve shows on radio and then television was hosted by bandleader Guy Lombardo, who hosted 21 consecutive New Year's Eve shows from 1956 to 1976 on CBS, and for a time in syndication. Lombardo's first radio broadcast on New Year's Eve was heard on December 31, 1928 over CBS Radio, and for a time he even split hosting duties by broadcasting on CBS Radio before 12 Midnight EST and on NBC Radio after Midnight. Lombardo would host 48 straight New Year's Eve broadcasts until his death in 1977, and famously performed "Auld Lang Syne" by his Royal Canadians as the clock struck 12 Midnight, ushering in the start of a New Year. 

Once the Lombardo orchestra began their annual television shows, there would be a live segment from Times Square, which was (and still is) the focal point of the nation's largest New Year's celebration. In the early years of Lombardo's television specials, Robert Trout reported on and counted down to Midnight in New York's Times Square; but for most of Lombardo's years on television, another legendary newsman, Ben Grauer, had the honor. (Grauer, by the way, also reported from Times Square for NBC Radio on celebrations following the surrender of Japan on August 14, 1945.

The first New Year's Eve special on television was broadcast on December 31, 1941 on WNBT New York, and consisted of entertainment broadcast from the Rainbow Room, atop the RCA Building in New York's Rockefeller Center.[3]

Due to World War II, there would be no more New Year's Eve specials on television until December 31, 1945. WNBT produced a remote broadcast of festivities in Times Square. While NBC had begun to feed programs to WRGB is the Albany area and WPTZ in Philadelphia, information is unavailable as to whether either or both of these stations broadcast the program, or if it was seen just locally in New York.[4]

Unless New Year's Eve fell on a weekend, NBC would carry a special New Year's version of "The Tonight Show" each year beginning in 1954, including coverage of the arrival of the New Year in Times Square.

Dick Clark himself had actually emceed one New Year's Eve TV special prior to 1972; on December 31, 1959, he emceed a 90-minute New Year's special on ABC. One of the guests was Frankie Avalon. But it would be the last time Clark would do a New Year's Eve television special for the next thirteen years.

By the 1970s, Lombardo's big band music skewed to an older generation, so Dick Clark started his telecast in 1972 to compete.  

New Year's Eve celebration, ushering in the year 1963. pickup from Times Square with Robert Trout and Guy Lombardo's orchestra (The Royal Canadians) from the Americana Hotel in New York City.                                                          

Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians usher in the year 1966 with guest Howard Cosell. Cosell is in Times Square for the dropping of the ball ushering in the year 1966.                                                   

Beginning in 1929, a New Year's Eve Tradition...Guy Lombardo & his Royal Canadians. Guy Lombardo was best known to TV audiences for his annual New Year's Eve telecasts. His brothers Carmen (the band's musical director), Victor, & Lebert were all members of the orchestra. Guy, the eldest, was designated the leader. For most of his years in television, Guy Lombardo represented nostalgia for the '30s and '40s. At midnight the traditional welcoming in of the New Year at Times Square is presented. John Schubeck brings in the New Year at Times Square.  

As the nation gets ready to "rign out the old, ring in the new," Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians make music at New York's Waldorf-Astoria. Singing along are Gordon MacRae, the Times Square Two, comedy singers, and Tonia Bern-Camp;bell. 

Just before midnight the broadcast switches to Times Square where John Schubeck describes the thousands of street revelers who await the countdown for the coming of 1969. 

HIGHLIGHTS:
"Dear World," "Why Can't I Walk Away?" "Hello, Young Lovers," "KIiss Her Now," "Try to Remember," 
"Come Back to Me" ....................Gordon MacRae

"A Man and a Woman," "Live of the Party," "My Man," Tonia Bern-Campbell states was Maurice Chevalier's favorite song.  
.....................................Tonia Bern-Campbell

"Boo Hoo," ..........................Carmen Lombardo Trio

"Auld Lang Syne," "Gentle on My Mind," "Mrs. Robinson," "Hello, Dolly!" "Somewhere My Love," "Mame," "Seems like Old Times," "High Society," "Harper Valley PTA," "Mack the Knife," "Fascination" ......................Royal Canadians        

Ringing in 1974 with "the sweetest music this side of heaven." It's the traditional bash at New York City's Waldorf Astoria Hotel with Guy, his Royal Canadians and singer Barbara McNair.  
As midnight draws near, cameras switch to Times Square, where thousands brave the squeeze and await the big countdown.
                     Highlights
"Big Bad Bill is Sweet William Now." - Barbara McNair    
"Auld Lang Syne," "Cabaret," "Lullaby Of Broadway," "Enjoy Yourself," "Boo Hoo," "Give My Regards To Broadway," "East Side West Side," "Sing," "Release Me," "Maple Leaf Rag," "I Want To Be Happy," "Alley Cat," "Too Much Mustard," "High Society," "Bad, Bad, Leroy Brown," 
.................Guy, Royal Canadians.  

Duplicate of #5384. 
                              

Beginning in 1929, a New Year's Eve Tradition...Guy Lombardo & his Royal Canadians. Guy Lombardo was best known to TV audiences for his annual New Year's Eve telecasts. His brothers Carmen (the band's musical director), Victor, & Lebert were all members of the orchestra. Guy, the eldest, was designated the leader. For most of his years in television, Guy Lombardo represented nostalgia for the '30s and '40s. At midnight the traditional welcoming in of the New Year at Times Square is presented. Ben Grauer brings in the New Year from Times Square.    

Duplicate of #5385.                                   

Beginning in 1929, a New Year's Eve Tradition...Guy Lombardo & his Royal Canadians. Guy Lombardo was best known to TV audiences for his annual New Year's Eve telecasts. His brothers Carmen (the band's musical director), Victor, & Lebert were all members of the orchestra. Guy, the eldest, was designated the leader. For most of his years in television, Guy Lombardo represented nostalgia for the '30s and '40s. At midnight the traditional welcoming in of the New Year at Times Square is presented. Ben Grauer brings in the New Year from Times Square. With commercials. 

Repeat of #17930. 

Duplicate of #5385.                                                             

Beginning in 1929, a New Year's Eve Tradition...Guy Lombardo & his Royal Canadians. Guy Lombardo was best known to TV audiences for his annual New Year's Eve telecasts. His brothers Carmen (the band's musical director), Victor, & Lebert were all members of the orchestra. Guy, the eldest, was designated the leader. For most of his years in television, Guy Lombardo represented nostalgia for the '30s and '40s. At midnight the traditional welcoming in of the New Year at Times Square is presented. Ben Grauer brings in the New Year from Times Square.     

Duplicate of #5385.                                 

    Beginning in 1929, a New Year's Eve Tradition...Guy Lombardo & his Royal Canadians. Guy Lombardo was best known to TV audiences for his annual New Year's Eve telecasts. His brothers Carmen (the band's musical director), Victor, & Lebert were all members of the orchestra. Guy, the eldest, was designated the leader. For most of his years in television, Guy Lombardo represented nostalgia for the '30s and '40s. At midnight the traditional welcoming in of the New Year at Times Square is presented. Lee Jordan brings in the New Year from Times Square.



    Guy Lombardo died on November 5, 1977, but the tradition he began on radio in 1929 lives on as his brother Victor Lombardo leads the Royal Canadians in a New Year's Eve Concert. There is a special tribute to Guy Lombardo.    

Duplicate of 5388.