International Polka Music Hall of Fame® Joe Rock, drummer boy extraordinaire, rising as perhaps one of the finest big band recording orchestras on the East Coast, began his career in the music field in the late 1930s, in the greater Waterbury, CT area, as the drummer in the Herb Lukowski Orchestra. His love and desire to excel in the field of polka music grew as time progressed. In the early 1940s due to the lack of progress within the present group, Joe decided to form his own big band delivery of Polka music combining the talents of Greater Waterbury musicians into a versatile performing group eventually becoming recognized as Joe Rock and "The Ten Pebbles".
Contributing significantly to the Joe Rock musical image were the talents of featured vocalist and accordionist, Johnny Dyno who rendered many original polka compositions to the group’s recorded works along with the popular talents of arranger, Tony Pandy. In the years to follow, the Joe Rock Orchestra became prominent at ballrooms along the East Coast. Many engagements were played in establishments such as: the Starlight Ballroom in Port Washington, New York, The Polish Home in Irvington, New Jersey, The Polish Home in Hartford, Connecticut, The Polish Club in Hempstead, New York, and The Ritz Ballroom in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
As time went along the Joe Rock Orchestra recorded works grew to greater heights, with albums produced in association with fellow artists Stan Wolowic and the Polka Chips, Lou Prohut, and Ted Maksymowicz on ABC Records in a stylish polka offering titled “The Big Fifteen”. The orchestra also produced an album for Gio Records titled "Polkarama".
The Big Band sound of the Joe Rock Orchestra ended in 1964, when at the age of 54, Joe Rock died of cancer. The music lives on!
Don’t pass this CD today!
Track Listing:
1. Happy Dolls Polka
2. My Kathleen Oberek
3. Denver Dip Polka
4. My Girl Fi-Fi Polka
5. White Stallion Polka
6. Gay Bachelor Polka
7. Annabelle Polka
8. Naughty Audie Oberek
9. Gay Paree Polka
10. Night Lights Oberek
11. Bouncing Baby Polka
12. Our First Date Polka
13. Jingle Bells Polka
14. Sleigh Ride Oberek
15. Speedy Polka
16. Beer Barrel Polka
17. Bulls Eye Polka
18. Clarinet Polka
19. Helena Polka
20. Pennsylvania Polka
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Artist: |
Joe Rock and His Orchestra |