Lenny Gomulka

Lenny Gomulka began playing drums at the age of four. During his early childhood days, he eagerly looked forward to playing along with the Sunday radio programs at home. Following his mother's wishes, he began taking trumpet lessons in parochial school at the age of 11. The youngest of four children, he grew up in a predominantly Polish neighborhood on Chicago's Southwest side, near the stockyard district. One of Gomulka's first public appearances occurred at the age of twelvem when his band, the Happy Go Luckies, took first place award on Chicago's WGN-TV amateur show. He recorded his first record album as a sideman in 1964 on Ridgemoor Records with Jerry Pietranczyk and the Polka Sharps. Gomulka became the youngest person ever to garner a membership in the Chicago-area Musician's Union. Membership age requirement was 16 at that time; being only 13, parental consent was required along with a mandated audition in front of a panel of judges and peers, playing the song "Tea for Two." This began Gomulka's performances with many well-known Chicago-area bands; however, prior to Gomulka taking the stage, one or both of his parents were required to be in attendance. Gomulka made a mark as a studio musician in Chicago from the '60s through '80s. He formed his own band, the Chicago Push, in January of 1980 and has been recording since that time as Lenny Gomulka and Chicago Push. Gomulka is a representative of the Polish form of polka music; however, he has developed a distinctive style which is known as "Push-Style" polka music. They have made a breakthrough into the music mainstream by adapting fresh and original songs penned by Gomulka. The band's creation was inspired by Gomulka's heritage, while the style was a progression from the traditional to one of the most progressive...