Lawrence Welk was an American musician, accordionist, and television impresario, best known for hosting "The Lawrence Welk Show" from 1955 to 1982. His style, often referred to as "Champagne music," was characterized by light, bubbly, and cheerful tunes often featuring his signature accordion. Welk's show was instrumental in bringing folk, polka, and other traditional music genres to a wider audience. His notable works include "Calcutta," which topped the Billboard charts in 1961, and he is considered a significant figure in 20th-century entertainment history.