Marion Lush was born in 1931. He began playing accordion at the age of 8, then took up drums, followed by trumpet. At age 16 he joined the American Federation of Musicians. Appearing regularly on the Ron Terry Polka Show on WGN-TV for eight years, he was voted “Chicago’s Most Popular Polka Band” in a contest conducted by that show. His first Dyno record hit “Hey Cavalier Polka” further increased his popularity. His…
While still in his early teens, Henry Mocarski, of Windsor, Connecticut started a polka band with Emil Juda on drums, Ray Zak on sax, and Henry Mocarski on accordion. Using the first names of Ray Zak and Henry Mocarski, the Ray Henry Orchestra was born. This group played in a local restaurant for approximately 2 ½ years with much of their earnings used to build up their polka library. Then they made plans…
Eddie Zima was born in 1923 in Chicago and began playing the concertina when he was 6 years old. His mother, Eleanor, upon noticing his eagerness and ability to play, signed him up for lessons. The concertina was too big for the boy to carry, so he hauled it to lessons in his little red wagon. He attended St. Helen’s grammar school in Chicago’s north side from which many polka musicians graduated. He…