Larry Ferrari (March 4, 1932 – November 20, 1997), born Lazarus Louis Ferrari, was an American organist who hosted The Larry Ferrari Show, a weekly Sunday morning half-hour program of organ music on WPVI-TV in Philadelphia, from 1954 to 1997."Nationally Famous Radio and TV Personality in Person! Larry Ferrari at the Organ." Pottstown, Pennsylvania: The Mercury, p. 15. He was the Lowrey Organ Company's National Concert Artist and was admitted into the Hall of Fame of the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia in 2000.
Early life Ferrari was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on March 4, 1932, as Lazarus Louis Ferrari."Remembering Sunday mornings with Larry Ferrari." Camden, New Jersey: Catholic Star Herald, January 12, 2012. His father was Colomba Ferrari."In the Ferrari household, the specialties are Italian." Camden, New Jersey: Courier-Post ("Taste" section), March 20, 1985, p. 49 (available via Newspapers.com; subscription required). He changed his name to "Larry" when a nun suggested he Americanize it. Ferrari studied piano and organ as a boy and started his music career performing at his local church at 11 years old. Soon after, he began playing at a local roller rink.
Career His broadcasting career began after he joined the United States Army in 1952. He gained the attention of the base commanding officer while playing the organ in the GI club. He was recommended as a candidate for the ABC-TV talent show "Soldier Parade" with Arlene Francis and won first prize. Shortly afterward, Ferrari performed on a number of public service recordings that were distributed coast to coast. He was assigned to the Army's Special Services and his duties included playing the organ for patients in the base hospital and a four-week engagement in 1954 on Philadelphia WFIL-TV Channel 6 titled "Fort Dix Presents".
The Larry Ferrari Show, a weekly show of him playing the organ, began in 1957 and was a successful hit. It is believed to be the only show of its kind in the United States. It was cancelled several times but brought back due to viewer demand. Ferrari's show was the second longest running show on Channel 6 behind Chief Halftown.
During the 1960s, he performed as the organist for the Philadelphia Flyers."Flyers lose." Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The Inquirer, February 14, 1969, p. 36. He released several albums and singles of his organ music. He was the Lowrey Organ Company's National Concert Artist. He was the organist at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Camden, New Jersey. He was the background organist for WPVI produced shows including Captain Noah and His Magical Ark and Dialing for Dollars. Ferrari's last broadcast aired on Sunday, November 30, 1997, at 6:30 am.
He was an avid amateur radio operator and held the call of WA2MKI."Wilkinson, Gerry. "Larry Ferrari" (biographical sketch). Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia, retrieved online May 22, 2019.
Death and legacy A resident of Cinnaminson Township, New Jersey, Ferrari died of leukemia at age 65 on November 20, 1997.Staff. "Larry Ferrari" , The Philadelphia Inquirer, November 21, 1997. Accessed June 18, 2012. "Larry Ferrari, 65, a Philadelphia institution who played the organ on his own show on Channel 6 for 40 years, died yesterday of cancer at his home in Cinnaminson." He was interred at West Laurel Hill Cemetery in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania.
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 longtime colleague W. Carter Merbreier.
Recordings Albums Relax with Larry Ferrari, RCA Victor, 1957 Puppets on Parade, Vik, 1957 Reminisce With Larry Ferrari, RCA Victor, 1958 Merry Christmas Carols, Sure, 1965 Hawaiian Favorites "Especially For You", Sure Rainbow of Musical Favorites, Sure, 1975 Live At The "Mighty Theater" Pipe Organ, Sure Music & Record Co., 1981 "Rogers and Hammerstein's" Broadway, Sure, 1982 Musical Varities, Sure Music and Record Co. Memories, Sure Return To Paradise, Sure My Favorite Hymns "Especially For You", Sure At The "Mighty Wurlitzer" Pipe Organ, Sure Encore At The "Mighty Wurlitzer", Sure Music and Record Co. Most Requested T.V. Favorites, Sure
Singles and EPs Relax with Larry Ferrari, RCA Victor, 1957 Music Americana, Sure Music and Record Co., 1983 Moonglow - Picnic/Good Old Summertime-By The Sea, Sure Puppets On Parade, Sure
Compilations Bob Ralston, Gaylord Carter, Marjorie Meinert, Leonard Leigh, Larry Ferrari – Sparkling Organ Moods, Record Club of America
References
External links Temple University Television - Temple Flashbacks - The Larry Ferrari Show