{{Short description|American musician (1940–2024)}} {{Multiple issues| {{more citations needed|date=May 2024}} {{notability|date=May 2024}} }} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}

'''Richard David Maloof''' (January 17, 1940 – May 1, 2024) was an American musician who played bass and tuba for the Lawrence Welk orchestra.

==Life and career== Richard Maloof was born and raised by Cy and Lucille Maloof, one of four children. Richard graduated from San Juan High School in Citrus Heights, then attended Sacramento State University, Los Angeles City College and UCLA while searching for work as a musician. He got his first break playing for Les Brown's band and later Carmen Cavallaro before joining the U. S. Army.<ref> {{Cite web |url=http://www.123exp-music.com/t/00331554461/ |title=Richard Maloof - Music Dictionary and Research Guide |accessdate=2008-12-07 |work=The Language of Music Dictionary and Research Guide |publisher=123 explore |author= |last= |first= |authorlink= |vauthors= |date= |year= |format= |pages= |language= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }} {{dead link|date=May 2024}}</ref>

While stationed at the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD), Richard played in the NORAD Commanders Jazz Band alongside future Welk musicians Johnny Zell and Dave Edwards. During his NORAD stint he got the invitation to join Lawrence Welk, both with the orchestra and on his weekly television show. That was in August 1967 and he remained until the show ended in February 1982. Starting in 1976, he had a mustache as shown on the show.

Maloof also performed music for several television shows such as ''The Julie Andrews Show'' and ''Kojak'' as well as several commercials and feature films, and performed on stage for the show ''Forever Plaid''. He also served six years with the Los Angeles Pops and also taught music sight and ear training for LA's '''Musicians Institute'''.

Maloof married fellow Welk star Mary Lou Metzger on June 16, 1973. They resided in Sherman Oaks, California. Richard Maloof died on May 1, 2024, at the age of 84.<ref>{{cite web |title=Richard David Maloof |url=https://neptunesociety.com/obituaries/sherman-oaks-ca/richard-maloof-11795501 |website=Neptune Society |access-date=4 May 2024}}</ref>

==See also== *{{IMDb name|1474048}}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * {{discogs artist|Richard Maloof}} * {{IMDb name|1474048}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Maloof, Richard}} Category:1940 births Category:2024 deaths Category:American bass guitarists Category:American classical tubists Category:American people of Lebanese descent Category:Musicians from Sacramento, California Category:Los Angeles City College alumni Category:University of California, Los Angeles alumni Category:California State University, Sacramento, alumni Category:United States Army soldiers Category:Lawrence Welk Category:20th-century American guitarists Category:Guitarists from Los Angeles Category:21st-century American tubists