Overnight, our world lost the "Clown Prince" and "World Ambassador" of basketball--George "Meadowlark" Lemon, III of the Harlem Globetrotters. Lemon died, at age 84, at his home in Scottsdale, AZ. Lemon was a Wilmington, North Carolina native; played collegiately at Florida A & M; was inducted into the Naismith National Basketball Hall of Fame; and was a veteran of more than 16,000 games as a player. In his later life, Lemon became a minister and pastored a Christian ministry in Scottsdale.

A Simpsons for everything

Meadowlark and Curly entertaining. So funny and so sad at his passing and that younger generations never had the pleasure to watch the old 'Trotters.

Saw them the first time at the Bluefield Auditorium around 1957 or so - on that night I still remember they made every one of their trick shots - I kept asking my Dad why these guys weren't playing in the NBA???

I remember going to see the Globetrotters in Winston Salem when I was a child. They were really funny to a 7 year old. Thanks for the memories.

ASUchipman wrote:I remember going to see the Globetrotters in Winston Salem when I was a child. They were really funny to a 7 year old. Thanks for the memories.

Saw them in the old Greensboro Coliseum about the same time. What a great time that was.

scatman77 wrote:Meadowlark and Curly entertaining. So funny and so sad at his passing and that younger generations never had the pleasure to watch the old 'Trotters.

I agree, Scat. Many things in life are worthy of the ability to roll back the clock. This is one of the many. I first saw the "old Trotters" as an 11 year-old at the original Charlotte Coliseum on Independence. I was just a few rows away from the "water bucket trick." On that particular night, it was ice water-- not confetti; but the guy on the receiving end was a "plant." Didn't learn that part until after the show--but it was hilarious at the time. Very well-rehearsed.

Saw the old team w/M'lark and Curly once in Varsity Gym before the older guys began to retire. It was still a funny show--even for adults.

Saw one of the current co-ed teams at HCC a few years back (two separate teams are usually on tour); and won't pay to see 'em again. Just not the same show or appeal.

We took our kids to see them at Winthrop Coliseum sometime around 1995 I think. M'Lark and Curly were retired but the comedy was still there. Also probably the only time the WU coliseum has ever been completely packed/sold out!

Regrettably, I never got a chance to see the "old trotters" in person. I did watch them any time they were on ABC's Wide World of Sports. Even if Howard Cosell was calling the "action."

I joke about Cosell. I actually found him entertaining.


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We lose Lemon and Lemmy on the same day...sad.

scatman77 wrote:We took our kids to see them at Winthrop Coliseum sometime around 1995 I think. M'Lark and Curly were retired but the comedy was still there. Also probably the only time the WU coliseum has ever been completely packed/sold out!

OK, I need to fess up on one tiny detail. I made this statement..." was just a few rows away from the "water bucket trick." On that particular night, it was ice water-- not confetti; but the guy on the receiving end was a "plant." Didn't learn that part until after the show..."

What I left out is that like all 11 year-olds, I was convinced that pro 'rasslin was real. I was equally convinced that (despite being told that the ice victim was a plant) the guy with a lap full of ice was a spectator like me. Didn't believe for one second that it was a set-up.

Saw the Trotters in Bluefield in the early 70s. I believe Meadowlark and Curly were still playing then. It was a treat.

I saw the "old" Trotters back in the late 60s. Then in the 80s, I took my baby sister to see them. Then in 2005, I took my nephew to see them. All three shows/games were alot of fun. The W-Salem Coliseum was packed in the 60s & 70s, not so much in 2005.

Very sad news. I had the priviledge of seeing Meadowlark Lemon play with the Globetrotters back when I was in the 3rd grade. I couldn't even tell you what facility it was played in, but it was while my father was stationed at Ft. Leonardwood, MO right after he returned from Vietnam. It was truly an experience.

appst89 wrote:Saw the Trotters in Bluefield in the early 70s. I believe Meadowlark and Curly were still playing then. It was a treat.

You were in Bluefield? ---

WVAPPeer wrote:

appst89 wrote:Saw the Trotters in Bluefield in the early 70s. I believe Meadowlark and Curly were still playing then. It was a treat.

You were in Bluefield? ---

That reminds me - Moorefield, WVa - 46th Annual Rattlesnake Feed, Januray 9th

WVAPPeer wrote:

appst89 wrote:Saw the Trotters in Bluefield in the early 70s. I believe Meadowlark and Curly were still playing then. It was a treat.

You were in Bluefield? ---

Yep. Grew up an hour from Bluefield in Southwest Virginia.

Saw them in Varsity Gym in the late 60's, early 70's.

Saw him and the Trotters at the old Asheville auditorium in the 1970s. Wonderful show, wonderful man. May his family be comforted.