About Pete Fountain
Pierre Dewey LaFontaine Jr., known professionally as Pete Fountain, was an American jazz clarinetist. The same day, they went to a local music store and, given his choice of instruments, Pete chose the clarinet (after first wanting the drums, which his father declined per the doctor's orders). At first, Pete was unable to produce a sound from the instrument, but he continued to practice and eventually not only made sounds and eventually music, but greatly improved the health of his lungs. Fountain founded the Basin Street Six in 1950 with his longtime friend, trumpeter George Girard. Fountain became well known for his many solos on Welk's ABC television show, The Lawrence Welk Show.
Biography source: Wikipedia. The profile adds birthday-specific historical context from the Celebs Birthday Today editorial database.