When I was aboard the Aircraft Carrier (U.S.S. Hancock from1965-1966) during the Vietnam war, I had Whoopee John's album, which I would play every now and then in the Maintenance Administration office where I worked! Being at sea for 30 to 40 days, working 7 days a week and 12 hours a day, it got a little depressing at times with the humid and very hot temperatures off the coast of Vietnam! Still, we had it better being aboard ship than the soldiers on shore! A fellow worker asked me to play that Whoopee John polka album one day (he was from Cleveland Ohio) and during one of Whoopee John polka songs, Spike Spealman (Texan) opened our compartment door and said "it sounds like I hear some Yankee Shit Kicking Music coming from this office!!!" I never thought of polka music that way, but I guess it is!
I found this video by listening to an Axel recording from my childhood, 1950s era. The announcer for WTCN on this is Clellan Card (Axel). A double blessing for me as my parents were great polka dancers and whenever I hear a polka I just close my eyes to see them again, dancing and laughing and have a wonderful time. My parents have passed but this reawakens the memories. I giggled as a kid just hearing the name Whoopee John. Thank you for posting.
when I was a kid in the 70s the parents made me listen to this music and in the 80s when I wanted to get rid of friends I would just turn on beer barrel polka, now I wish we could bring this music back.
We saw this show broadcast live on Saturday nights on WTCN-TV channel 4, during the summer in 1951. Great band and music, especially that wonderful tuba. Thanks so much!!!
Thank you Chris for posting this. I remember my younger brother watching Clellan Card (Axel) on a TV show called "Axel and His Dog". A double bonus as I like recordings by "Whoopie" John.
My dad’s uncle Roy Boyle played sax for the Whoopee John orchestra. I see him in one of the still photos here. I wonder if it is he who the announcer refers to on intro to “Gimme a little kiss” he says “I see Roy & his trio closing in on me. Must be because they want to sing.”
Message for Mr. Chris Pikal: Whoopee John Band also did a Lawrence Welk tune on the radio. The name of the song is Laughing Polka. It is from 12/28/1941!!! He never recorded it, the band only did Mr. Welk's version at the St. Paul Dispatch Building on that date. I have the 2 16 inch records and I will be listing it on ebay sometime in January of 2015 for $199.00!! Watch for it. A rare GEM INDEED!!
Hey Chris...CHRIS PIKAL, I have on CD two Whoopee John Live broadcasts from March 16th 1953 and March 23rd 1953 both at the Marigold Ballroom. I just got them like last month. I have not seen any more on ebay as of yet. I wonder if we can actually do a trade. Yes, besides that I am still collecting Lawrence Welk films and videos.
Pride of St. Paul! This must have been on KSTP, because I think he had his own weekly hour on WCCO in those days. This was the greatest old time band of all time. No one came close to the intonation and articulation, all the way until Pat sold the band. We are blessed to have the recordings, and THANK YOU for posting this. By the way, does anyone know where the library went? I wanted to buy it from Vern Steffl twenty-five years ago. Did Norm Edlebeck finally get it? Please PM me if you can let me know. Thank you.
i dont know how to send a youtube message since they changed it to google plus, no he hasnt preformed in a while that i know of, sadly his wife got cancer a while back and passed away a few years ago.
Fantastic Old Tyme!! Unreal how the fidelity was so good in those years. The sound engineer had a great ear !!
My dad believed polka WCCN Niellsville Wi. made our bulvine babes milk better it's a does of home memory
Wish I had a time machine. I would have danced all night
When I was aboard the Aircraft Carrier (U.S.S. Hancock from1965-1966) during the Vietnam war, I had Whoopee John's album, which I would play every now and then in the Maintenance Administration office where I worked! Being at sea for 30 to 40 days, working 7 days a week and 12 hours a day, it got a little depressing at times with the humid and very hot temperatures off the coast of Vietnam! Still, we had it better being aboard ship than the soldiers on shore! A fellow worker asked me to play that Whoopee John polka album one day (he was from Cleveland Ohio) and during one of Whoopee John polka songs, Spike Spealman (Texan) opened our compartment door and said "it sounds like I hear some Yankee Shit Kicking Music coming from this office!!!" I never thought of polka music that way, but I guess it is!
Thank you for your service. I was Navy at DaNang 69-70. One of our guys was on the same base in 65. Still don't know how guys did 2 tours.
Thank you for your service 🍻 🍻 🍻 🍻 🍻 🍻 🍻 🍻 🍻
I found this video by listening to an Axel recording from my childhood, 1950s era. The announcer for WTCN on this is Clellan Card (Axel). A double blessing for me as my parents were great polka dancers and whenever I hear a polka I just close my eyes to see them again, dancing and laughing and have a wonderful time. My parents have passed but this reawakens the memories. I giggled as a kid just hearing the name Whoopee John. Thank you for posting.
w6
Chris, I can't believe this! Thank you for taking the time to share this music with the world! We need this!
My 98 year old Grandma told me about this radio program.
when I was a kid in the 70s the parents made me listen to this music and in the 80s when I wanted to get rid of friends I would just turn on beer barrel polka, now I wish we could bring this music back.
We saw this show broadcast live on Saturday nights on WTCN-TV channel 4, during the summer in 1951. Great band and music, especially that wonderful tuba. Thanks so much!!!
Thank you Chris for posting this. I remember my younger brother watching Clellan Card (Axel) on a TV show called "Axel and His Dog". A double bonus as I like recordings by "Whoopie" John.
Beautiful dance music well-played.
My dad’s uncle Roy Boyle played sax for the Whoopee John orchestra. I see him in one of the still photos here. I wonder if it is he who the announcer refers to on intro to “Gimme a little kiss” he says “I see Roy & his trio closing in on me. Must be because they want to sing.”
This is unbelievable! Thank you Chris Pikal!
I never heard of this band till I seen it on my phone they must have traveled up north Minnesota and Wisconsin
Great work Chris! Hope to hear more!
Whoo Whoo whoo Whoppee! He says a lot! Love his music.
Sure wish Whoopee's band was still around.
Whoopee John's version of The Laughing Polka is youtube right now. 11/21/2014.
Great loovley music! I hear Whoopee John on WRJQ goodtime radio
Dear Lord, we need this!
Message for Mr. Chris Pikal: Whoopee John Band also did a Lawrence Welk tune on the radio. The name of the song is Laughing Polka. It is from 12/28/1941!!! He never recorded it, the band only did Mr. Welk's version at the St. Paul Dispatch Building on that date. I have the 2 16 inch records and I will be listing it on ebay sometime in January of 2015 for $199.00!! Watch for it. A rare GEM INDEED!!
Or, possibly, forever! Thank you Chris Pikal!
This probably is from WCCO Radio. They used to run the show Sunday afternoons.
Hey Chris...CHRIS PIKAL, I have on CD two Whoopee John Live broadcasts from March 16th 1953 and March 23rd 1953 both at the Marigold Ballroom. I just got them like last month. I have not seen any more on ebay as of yet. I wonder if we can actually do a trade. Yes, besides that I am still collecting Lawrence Welk films and videos.
These have been the best minutes (21:21) of my life in 2013!
No, my mistake. It is from 01/04/1942 where the band did that number of Mr. Lawrence Welk!
Nicholas Serio l
Axel as the host is a huge plus
I will also make a cd for Chris with it, if he is interested in these 2 Live Whoopee John Radio shows from 12/28/1941 and 01/04/1942
I got see Whoopee john when I was about 4 I thought his outfit was funny . miss those times.
Chris Pikal…could you please give some notes on this, such as, Radio/TV Station, Venue, and what format the audio tape is?
Whoopee John Wilfahrt
And the band will play
Pride of St. Paul! This must have been on KSTP, because I think he had his own weekly hour on WCCO in those days.
This was the greatest old time band of all time. No one came close to the intonation and articulation, all the way until Pat sold the band. We are blessed to have the recordings, and THANK YOU for posting this.
By the way, does anyone know where the library went? I wanted to buy it from Vern Steffl twenty-five years ago. Did Norm Edlebeck finally get it? Please PM me if you can let me know. Thank you.
im not sure if Norm Edelbeck did get the library, i can ask him if you would like? he is my relative.
Yes, please. Send me a TH-cam PM. I appreciate this! Is Norm still performing?
i dont know how to send a youtube message since they changed it to google plus, no he hasnt preformed in a while that i know of, sadly his wife got cancer a while back and passed away a few years ago.
Makes no sense what you said KSTP and WCCO are to different stations. This was most likely on WCCO Radio on Sundays.
Anyone for a vener shnitzl kraut dog with an olmilwaukee brew?
the vocalist on this sounds like kenny gardner with lombardo