Whoopee John was a famous polka band from Minnesota. Actually, there still is a Whoopee John Polka band although the founder died in 1961. He began his oldtime polka band playing from New Ulm, MN and gained more fame having a regular program on fledgling WCCO radio from Minneapolis. The band was also nationally famous and the #3 record seller for Decca records. Bing Crosby was their #1 seller.
I grew up listening to Whoopee John and old time music on the radio in the morning. My mom liked it and we were forced to listen. I didn't develop an appreciation for this heritage music until much later in life.
My husband Jon's family has several ties to Whoopee John. They lived across the street from his daughter Jen since 1947. Jon's uncle wrote polka's for the band and Jon's cousin Bob played with the band on saxophone while still in high school and after his Navy years. Bob tells some good stories about being a teenager playing gigs with these hard partying guys. In later years, when my father in-law was a widower, he dated the former female band singer who was a cousin of the neighbor. Her name was Lola and we had to keep that straight from his Texas winter girlfriend Lila.
I am told the announcer would introduce the band by saying, "Now Whoopee John Wilfarht and his band will play." Great last name, pronounced just the way you think it is.
No comments:
Post a Comment