Bruno Mikos
Living Category – Inducted 1986
Bruno’s singing career began early. He learned to
sing the “Two Bucks Polka” at the age of five as he heard the song
played on the Oskierko Polka Show over WJOB Radio in Hammond, Indiana.
 During
his grammar schools days he tried to play the accordion. He did not
care for this instrument and his interest switched to the trumpet. He
attended the Roseland Conservatory of Music and got instruction from a
private teacher, Al Schonecker. During the high school days, he played
the trumpet and herald trumpet with the Jazz, Concert, Dance and
Marching Bands.
In 1962, he joined a local band, the Polka Jacks.
In 1963, he became a member of the Chicago Federation of Musicians Local
10-208. He then joined the Ted Bonk Band and did remote radio
broadcasts over WOPA & WJOB. It was then he joined the Li’l Wally Band
and played across the country in Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York,
Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Vermont, West
Virginia, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Nebraska,
Minnesota and Virginia. Some great events were at the Toronto Canadian
Expo backing Bobby Vinton, and the Palmer House in Chicago for the Music
Operators of America, with Tony Bennett, Rosemary Clooney, Boots
Randolph, etc…
In 1966 he as inducted into the Army and shipped to
Germany. He played there for the Polish Concern for Displaced People.
On furlough back home, he married Sue Kovalick, both returning to
Germany for the duration of his hitch. Upon discharge, returning to
Chicago, he played with Li’l Wally, Tom Altenburg, Casey Homel, Richard
Gomulka, Li’l Richard and others.
Settling in Ohio, Bruno formed his own band, the
Harmony Stars in 1974. His first album gave him national recognition.
A fan club was established in his honor in Ohio. For 3 ½ years he did
the “Weekend Polka Party” over WHHH Radio, Warren, Ohio. He then worked
on WKTL in Struthers, Ohio. He appeared on the “Polka Variety Show”,
Channel 5 in Cleveland. His popularity has even traveled to Alaska
where his records are being played.
As owner of Bem Star Records, a publishing and
record company, he has started out bands such as Holy Toledo Polka
Stars, the Dynasonics, the Troubadours, Judy & Her Suchey Brothers. He
wrote songs like “Back To Chicago," "Hey Pretty Girl," "Lost Love,"
"Honky Tonky Polka," "Can’t Get Married," and others. He received
recognition as "No. 1 Band" in Battle of the Bands mail requests
sponsored by Al Mann on WTAQ in 1976; No. 1 Band in the Battle of the
Bands sponsored by Larry Walk in Idora Park, Youngstown, Ohio in 1976;
the USPA’s favorite album “People Pleasing Polkas” in 1979; Outstanding
Polka Achievement Award, USPA 1982. He received certificates from Jerry
Lewis for services for MSD and played for many benefits in the Cleveland
Area. |
