Wayne Newton reaches a milestone in 2023
Entertainer Wayne Newton is a world-renowned singer and a popular singer in Los Vegas who has had a number of hit records. He is best known for his first big hit single Danke Schoen which was released on June 17, 1963, and climbed to number 3 on the charts. Newton was 21 at the time and singing with his older brother Jerry Newton and they were billed as the Newton Brothers. The siblings were said to have been estranged for decades but reunited in 2016 shortly before Jerry passed away at age 76. The Newtons haves ties to Virginia as Wayne was born in Roanoke where he spent his early years.
Danke schoen, darling, danke schoen
Thank you for all the joy and pain
Picture shows, second balcony
Was the place we’d meet
Second seat, go Dutch treat, you were sweet
Danke Schoen is German for "Thank you very much" and was written in German in 1959 by Orchestra leader Bert Kaempfert. Newton's first version of the song was recorded in April 1963 when he was 21 and Danke Schoen originally was intended for singer Bobby Darin. When he saw Newton perform at the Copacabana Darin transposed the key of the recording to fit Newton's voice and the rest as they say is history.
Danke Schoen has been featured in many television commercials and motion pictures, such as Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Meet the Parents, Matchstick Men, Vegas Vacation, Fools Rush In as well as the French-American comedy Crime Spree. Danke schoen, darling, danke schoen (Wikipedia)
Save those lies, darling don’t explain
I recall Central Park in fall
How you tore your dress
What a mess, I confess, that’s not all
Early years in Virginia
The popular entertainer was born Carson Wayne Newton on April 3, 1942, and is of English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh, and German ancestry. He said he believes he has some Native American ancestry because his mother had some Cherokee and his father has a Powhatan heritage but the singer has not been recognized by any Native tribe.
Newton has said that when he was 4 he saw how the Grand Ole Opry put a smile on the face of those in the audience and told his mother he wanted to make people smile when he grew up. The family also spent time in Fredericksburg Virginia where at age 6 young Wayne learned to play the Piano, Guitar, and Steele Guitar. The Newtons moved from Virginia in 1952 when Wayne was 10 because he was dealing with severe asthma.
Some reports indicate Wayne Newton was born in Norfolk Virginia but learned to play the guitar at an early age in Roanoke. The discrepancies don't change the fact that this Virginia Native has reached the milestone of his hit song Danka Schoen turning 60 in July. If you are old enough to remember this classic then you have reached a milestone of your own.
Comments / 20