Lois V. Best Herman
(1917-2015)
Inducted in 1993
Lois Verne Best was born in Courtney, Pennsylvania to Charles and Agnes Best. Both parents were amateur church singers, but Lois did not sing until she was a high school graduate. Her first job was playing piano at Warner Brothers Music demonstrating the “hit” songs of the day. Shortly thereafter the Lawrence Welk Band was in need for a female singer. Lawrence Welk himself and Jules Herman, first trumpet player and secretary of the corporation, were both impressed with Lois’s ability, she was hired and became the first “Champagne Lady” with The Lawrence Welk Orchestra. Lois and Jules married on August 15, 1938. Their performances lasted over 35 years with Lawrence Welk and The Jules Herman Orchestra, recording with Welk for major label Coral Records. The Jules Herman Orchestra were the preminent “big band” dance orchestra in Minneapolis for decades. Lois and Jules were especially honored several years ago when 3M brought the entire Lawrence Welk Show to the St Paul Civic Center while Jules and Lois provided the dinner music.
