Meadowlark Lemon of the Harlem Globetrotters Dies at 83

Commander Wallace · 12-28-15, 06:03 PM

The Clown Prince of basketball, Meadowlark Lemon of the world famous Harlem Globetrotters has passed away.

" quote " A sign of his crossover appeal, Lemon was inducted into both the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and the International Clown Hall of Fame.

Mr. Lemon was good enough by far to play professionally but instead wanted to entertain as he loved people.

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/m...ies-83-n486971

I remember seeing old footage of Mr. Lemon where an older woman was enjoying the show and Meadowlark pulled her out of the crowd to share a dance with her. The woman was loving the attention and her expression was priceless. Meadowlark was enjoying it as usual too. Hubert " Geese " Ausbie also did that as well on occasion. Other members of the Globetrotters would " steal " women's purses , only to pull out their drivers licenses and share a laugh with the referees at the picture their " victims " took .

Meadowlark was also famous for his " confetti in the water bucket " routine . Meadowlark would chase opposing players and team mates alike with the " water bucket " . The " opposing " player would duck and an unsuspecting fan would get hit with confetti . Sometimes though, the water bucket really did have water in it. You just never knew .

" quote " "Meadowlark was the most sensational, awesome, incredible basketball player I've ever seen," NBA great and former Globetrotter Wilt Chamberlain said shortly before his death in 1999. "People would say it would be Dr. J or even (Michael) Jordan. For me it would be Meadowlark Lemon."

I always think of the Globetrotters whenever I hear their theme song "Sweet Georgia Brown"

Mr. Lemon spent the last years of his life as an ordained minister. He spent time at youth basketball camps and detention centers for youthful defenders. Mr. Lemon was quoted as saying, " "I feel if I can touch a kid in youth prison, he won't go to the adult prison," Lemon said in 2003.

Medowlark was a great entertainer with a gift of touching people and will be sorely missed.

Rest in Peace Medowlark.

GT182 · 12-28-15, 06:45 PM

Rest in Peace Medowlark.

The Globetrotters aren't the same without him. He was the best.

I saw them play in Watertown, NY back in the 80s and it was a great show. Just to see and meet them in person was a real pleasure. One I never forget, nor will I forget him. He was Mr. Basketball, thru and thru.

Rockstar · 12-28-15, 07:36 PM

Saw Meadowlark and Curly play against the Boston Shamrocks in 1971. Boston lost, of course.

Those two and the Harlem Globetrotters were so well known when I was growing up.

Sailor Steve · 12-28-15, 09:56 PM

I saw the Globetrotters on TV back in the late '50s, and watched them from time to time in later years. Always entertaining, always funny. A group of players good enough to be in the big leagues but had more fun entertaining people. And Meadowlark was the best of them.

HW3 · 12-28-15, 10:31 PM

I think I first saw them on ABC's Wide World of Sports in the 60's. R.I.P. Meadowlark.

Jimbuna · 12-29-15, 06:32 AM

Always thought the Globetrotters were top quality entertainers and saw them play twice in the UK but I believe Meadowlark had already left.

RIP Sir

Platapus · 12-29-15, 02:31 PM

He sounded like a good man doing good things. RIP

eddie · 12-29-15, 04:14 PM

May he rest in peace! Such a sad loss of a great entertainer.

vienna · 12-29-15, 05:37 PM

Meadowlark and the 'Trotters were probably the only basketball team I could stand to watch (I'm not a fan of the game) and I was always amazed when I saw them on TV. IIRC, ABC TV used to have them on annually for a long time and the sheer joy of the team and their rapport with the stadium audiences was a sight to see. It was well worth setting aside the time to tune in and see the team flummox some other, usually well-paid NBA pro team, much to the delight of the fans, particularly the kids. Those NBA players may have had the big contracts and the endorsement deals, but the 'Trotters were by far the richer for the smiles they brought to everyone. Meadow lark may have left the team some time ago, and The 'Trotters may go on, but a big part of their heart is gone...

RIP, Meadowlark...

<O>

12-28-15, 06:03 PM	#1
Commander Wallace Navy Seal Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Under the sea in an Octupus garden in the shade Posts: 5,294 Downloads: 366 Uploads: 0	Meadowlark Lemon of the Harlem Globetrotters Dies at 83 The Clown Prince of basketball, Meadowlark Lemon of the world famous Harlem Globetrotters has passed away. " quote " A sign of his crossover appeal, Lemon was inducted into both the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and the International Clown Hall of Fame. Mr. Lemon was good enough by far to play professionally but instead wanted to entertain as he loved people. http://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/m...ies-83-n486971 I remember seeing old footage of Mr. Lemon where an older woman was enjoying the show and Meadowlark pulled her out of the crowd to share a dance with her. The woman was loving the attention and her expression was priceless. Meadowlark was enjoying it as usual too. Hubert " Geese " Ausbie also did that as well on occasion. Other members of the Globetrotters would " steal " women's purses , only to pull out their drivers licenses and share a laugh with the referees at the picture their " victims " took . Meadowlark was also famous for his " confetti in the water bucket " routine . Meadowlark would chase opposing players and team mates alike with the " water bucket " . The " opposing " player would duck and an unsuspecting fan would get hit with confetti . Sometimes though, the water bucket really did have water in it. You just never knew . " quote " "Meadowlark was the most sensational, awesome, incredible basketball player I've ever seen," NBA great and former Globetrotter Wilt Chamberlain said shortly before his death in 1999. "People would say it would be Dr. J or even (Michael) Jordan. For me it would be Meadowlark Lemon." I always think of the Globetrotters whenever I hear their theme song "Sweet Georgia Brown" Mr. Lemon spent the last years of his life as an ordained minister. He spent time at youth basketball camps and detention centers for youthful defenders. Mr. Lemon was quoted as saying, " "I feel if I can touch a kid in youth prison, he won't go to the adult prison," Lemon said in 2003. Medowlark was a great entertainer with a gift of touching people and will be sorely missed. Rest in Peace Medowlark. Last edited by Commander Wallace; 12-28-15 at 07:26 PM.

12-28-15, 06:45 PM	#2
GT182 Ocean Warrior Join Date: May 2005 Location: New Castle of Delaware Posts: 3,231 Downloads: 658 Uploads: 0	Rest in Peace Medowlark. The Globetrotters aren't the same without him. He was the best. I saw them play in Watertown, NY back in the 80s and it was a great show. Just to see and meet them in person was a real pleasure. One I never forget, nor will I forget him. He was Mr. Basketball, thru and thru. __________________ Gary No Borders, No Language, No Culture =s No Country I'm a Deplorable, and proud of it.

12-28-15, 07:36 PM	#3
Rockstar In the Brig Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Zendia Bar & Grill Posts: 12,614 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	Saw Meadowlark and Curly play against the Boston Shamrocks in 1971. Boston lost, of course. Those two and the Harlem Globetrotters were so well known when I was growing up. Last edited by Rockstar; 12-28-15 at 11:06 PM.

12-28-15, 09:56 PM	#4
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	I saw the Globetrotters on TV back in the late '50s, and watched them from time to time in later years. Always entertaining, always funny. A group of players good enough to be in the big leagues but had more fun entertaining people. And Meadowlark was the best of them. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

12-28-15, 10:31 PM	#5
HW3 Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Gresham Oregon Posts: 6,574 Downloads: 458 Uploads: 0	I think I first saw them on ABC's Wide World of Sports in the 60's. R.I.P. Meadowlark. __________________ "Some ships are designed to sink...others require our assistance." Nathan Zelk

12-29-15, 06:32 AM	#6
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,473 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Always thought the Globetrotters were top quality entertainers and saw them play twice in the UK but I believe Meadowlark had already left. RIP Sir __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

12-29-15, 02:31 PM	#7
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,361 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	He sounded like a good man doing good things. RIP __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

12-29-15, 04:14 PM	#8
eddie Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,023 Downloads: 99 Uploads: 0	May he rest in peace! Such a sad loss of a great entertainer. __________________ Don't mistake my kindness for weakness. I'm kind to everyone, but when someone is unkind to me, weak is not what you are going to remember about me. Al Capone

12-29-15, 05:37 PM	#9
vienna Navy Seal Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Anywhere but the here & now... Posts: 7,711 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	Meadowlark and the 'Trotters were probably the only basketball team I could stand to watch (I'm not a fan of the game) and I was always amazed when I saw them on TV. IIRC, ABC TV used to have them on annually for a long time and the sheer joy of the team and their rapport with the stadium audiences was a sight to see. It was well worth setting aside the time to tune in and see the team flummox some other, usually well-paid NBA pro team, much to the delight of the fans, particularly the kids. Those NBA players may have had the big contracts and the endorsement deals, but the 'Trotters were by far the richer for the smiles they brought to everyone. Meadow lark may have left the team some time ago, and The 'Trotters may go on, but a big part of their heart is gone... RIP, Meadowlark... <O> __________________ __________________________________________________ __