Classic Television - Special

Raquel!

Original channel

CBS

Original air date

April 26, 1970

Starring

Raquel Welch

Tom Jones

Bob Hope

John Wayne

Raquel! was an April 26, 1970 CBS television special starring Raquel Welch, Tom Jones, Bob Hope and John Wayne executive produced, directed and choreographed by David Winters produced by Winters' company Winters-Rosen for CBS-TV, originally co-sponsored by Coca-Cola and Motorola. On the day of the premiere, the show received a 51% share on the National ARB Ratings and an impressive Overnight New York Nielsen Rating of 58% share.

Raquel! was filmed in London, Paris, Acapulco, Mexico City, Yucatan, Big Sur, and Los Angeles and featured lavish production numbers. It marked Welch's debut special on television. Together Welch and Jones combined musical and comedic talents on classic rock 'n' roll standards of the era. During the opening montage there was a scene in which Raquel in her space bikini, appeared to be with space men.

Although Welch sings throughout the show, she briefly recites The Lady of Shallot, a Victorian poem or ballad by the English poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809–1892).

The special, considered by some to be a classic '70s timepiece, unites pop-culture icons in their prime. The multi million-dollar, TV song & dance extravaganza was filmed around the world - from Paris to Mexico. Lavish production numbers of classic songs from the era, extravagant Bob Mackie -designed costumes and notable guest performances. Tom Jones was nearly a co-star, as he sang the long medley of Little Richard and Beatles songs with Raquel, but not before he opened the set with a solo. Even Bob Hope sang a duet, the Beatles' "Rocky Raccoon".

Tom Jones and Raquel Welch - Rock 'n' Roll... by SarayaDawnSirTomJones