Most readers will remember one of the most popular TV series of the ‘50s. I’m talking about the much loved show “The Mickey Mouse Club” which aired from 1955 to 1958.
It was back in 1956 that I had the pleasure of meeting Cubby O’Brien, one of the original Mouseketeers. I was filming “Old Yeller” and he, along with the other Mouseketeers was filming The Mickey Mouse Club.
Being minors, we had to have three hours of schooling each day in-between scenes. There were two big red trailers on the lot of the Walt Disney Studios where all the Mouseketeers, along with Tommy Kirk, Kevin Corcoran and I would report to each day for three months.
Little did we know that almost 70 years later, we would still be meeting up at various autograph shows!
For those who faithfully watched the Mickey Mouse Club, I’m sure you’ll remember that Cubby (real name Carl), was mostly paired up with Karen Pendleton – the cute little blonde girl. They were the youngest of the Mouseketeers.
Both of them sang and danced but Cubby’s specialty was always playing the drums. He actually started playing the drums at age 5. He still plays and will be turning 80 this July!
After the show ended, Cubby went on to The Lawrence Welk Show for two years, then played and toured with Spike Jones. Over the years, he has played for Ann Margret and was also a drummer for The Carol Burnett Show.
In 1973 he joined The Carpenters as their touring drummer and at one time was even the music director for the Los Angeles touring company of Hair and Oh Calcutta! Cubby continues to perform to this day and now travels all over the world with Bernadette Peters as her drummer.
The attached photo was taken last month at my good friend Mimi Gibson’s Golden Hollywood Autograph Show in Las Vegas.
Forgive me if I sound redundant, but honestly, Cubby is truly one of the nicest guys in the business. Lucky me to have known him for almost 70 years! Until next time, remember… Love doesn’t make the world go round, but it makes the ride worthwhile.
