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

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: 5,304 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: 6,575 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: 190,590 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!!