Variety Show Gold
This physical comedy icon and "King of the Banjo" was a beloved regular on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour and The Muppet Show, keeping crowds laughing while displaying jaw-dropping speed on the strings.
Steve Martin
This New Orleans trumpet virtuoso was a beloved regular on late-night TV, scoring a massive 1964 instrumental hit with "Java."
Al Hirt
Judy Garland teamed up with this young powerhouse vocalist on her 1963 variety show to perform a spectacular, high-energy medley of "Get Happy" and "Happy Days Are Here Again."
Barbara Streisand
This legendary sister trio brought joy during the war years, performing rapid-fire, highly synchronized dance routines and harmonies on "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy."
The Andrews Sisters
This dynamic husband-and-wife duo famously closed their weekly, colorful 1970s variety hour by singing their signature tune, "I Got You Babe."
Sonny & Cher
This legendary clarinetist and "King of Swing" drove the crowd wild during his historic 1938 Carnegie Hall concert, especially during the epic drum-led climax of "Sing, Sing, Sing."
Benny Goodman
In 1957, this “First Lady Of Song” joined Nat King Cole to perform a stunning, warm live duet of the standard "You’re The Top."
Ella Fitzgerald
This elegant 1950s vocal group swayed in perfect, matching suits while delivering lush, romantic live television harmonies on hits like "Only You."
The Platters
Known for his relaxed style, this host of The Kraft Music Hall had a massive 1957 hit with "Catch a Falling Star" and was famous for his cozy cardigans.
Perry Como
This jazz piano giant, famous for his block-chord style, captured the hearts of mainstream listeners with his dreamy, live television performances of his self-composed standard, "Misty."
Erroll Garner
This legendary "Singing Cowboy" joined his wife, Dale Evans, on television for decades to sing their famous, cheerful sign-off theme, "Happy Trails."
Roy Rogers
This dynamic, four-woman group had the world snapping their fingers in 1954 to their perfectly blended, multi-layered live performance of "Mr. Sandman."
The Chordettes
This incredible country guitarist and singer hosted a hit variety show from 1969 to 1971, famously opening with a blazing instrumental version of "Gentle on My Mind."
Glen Campbell
This brilliant fingerstyle guitarist, pioneer of the "Nashville Sound," teamed up with Jerry Reed on television for a lightning-fast, highly entertaining performance of "Guitar Rag."
Chet Atkins
Frank Sinatra famously invited this virtuoso trumpeter—who had originally discovered him in 1939—onto his 1950s TV show to perform a blazing, brassy version of "Saturday Night (Is the Loneliest Night of the Week)."
Harry James
These three sweet-singing sisters from New Jersey harmonized their way to major 1950s television popularity, scoring massive hits with "Sincerely" and "Sugartime."
The McGuire Sisters
This legendary, velvet-voiced crooner hosted a beloved variety show on NBC where he famously walked through a living room set to sing his signature theme, "Moon River."
Andy Williams
This flamboyant pianist, nicknamed "Mr. Showmanship," was famous for his glittering costumes, massive candelabras, and rapid-fire classical-pop medley performances.
Liberace
Frank Sinatra famously invited this virtuoso trumpeter—who had originally discovered him in 1939—onto his 1950s TV show to perform a blazing, brassy version of "Saturday Night (Is the Loneliest Night of the Week)."
Harry James
This historic, groundbreaking male group pioneered the "talking bassline" style in the late 1940s, scoring massive jukebox hits like "I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire,” and “The Whispering Grass."
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