Duration: 0:59

Views: 1209

By: fuzzymemories

Description: Here's Part 2 of The Ginny Tiu Show which aired on WCIU Channel 26. Ms. Tiu was a child prodigy pianist whose chief claim to fame was playing by ear and not being able to read a note, and who was a familiar presence on such 1960's TV series as The Ed Sullivan Show, Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall, and a 1966 episode of I've Got a Secret (from Steve Allen's run as host), as well as appearing in the 1962 Elvis Presley film Girls! Girls! Girls! In later years, she would become a fixture in the Hawaii concert scene, particularly in Honolulu. On this show, she was accompanied by members of her family (brother Alexander, and sisters Vicky and Elizabeth), and Elaine Mulqueen on commercials.

This program was taped in color at the studios of WREX Channel 13 in Rockford, IL (an ABC affiliate at the time, but today affiliated with NBC) on June 7th 1969, with Jack Mulqueen as producer / director and Drew Leach as creative director, but (unfortunately) aired on WCIU in black-and-white (it very likely also aired on WREX just to say to the Union that the program aired on another station).

Includes:

Introduction of Ginny Tiu (voiceover by ??), who jokes about being "an old lady" after Sullivan's mentioning her age at the time of her first appearance; she then introduces her family members by Oriental custom, starting with her brother Alexander on the drums, her sister Vicky on guitar, and her other sister Elizabeth (whom she calls "Twiggy") on bass.

First song - "Rain, Rain, Rain, Rain" (written by Susan Faber and recorded in 1968 by Tommy Faia & The True Blue Facts on A&M single #945)

Second musical number - "Love Is Blue (L'Amour Est Bleu)" (which had been a #1 hit for Paul Mauriat in 1968, and was covered vocally by such acts as Andy Williams, Claudine Longet, Ed Ames, Marty Robbins, Johnny Mathis, and [in a medley with "I Can Sing a Rainbow"] legendary Chicago R&B group The Dells)

Ginny then introduces and plays her next number, which she had played at New York's Carnegie Hall - Tchaikovsky's "Piano Concerto No. 1"

After finishing her number, a hand beckons to her from behind a stand - leading in to a performance of "Sukiyaki" (which was a #1 hit for Kyu Sakamoto in 1963, and later covered in English in 1981 by A Taste of Honey [of "Boogie Oogie Oogie" fame]) - during which she shows off her skills waving a long orange cloth, followed by her and sister Vicky in traditional Japanese costumes, with Ginny waving green fans and Vicky wearing orange fans; and finally Ginny, Vicky and Elizabeth holding umbrellas

Commercial: Elaine Mulqueen for Cross Pens and Pencils - "For a gift of lasting value" since 1846

Commercial: Pentel pens, with Ginny at the piano serving as opening and closing spokesperson, and voiceover by Elaine Mulqueen - spotlighting their Artist's Kit (only $19.95) which contains watercolors, oil paint, oil pastels, Pentel 67 pens, Pentel Sharp 9 pencil, easel, watercolor brushes, palate knife, mixing cups, turpentine, linseed oil, sketchboards, disposable palates, water bucket and "even" a full-color art instruction guide (how much of that kit could still be sold today?) - Distributed by McLennon Pen Co., 220 South State Street

This aired on local Chicago TV on Saturday, June 14th 1969 during the 5:30pm to 6pm timeframe.