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.
This live annual New Year's special was Guy Lombardo's 48th consecutive New Year's Party. It was to be his last. Lombardo died on November 5, 1977. He was 75 years old.