Ray Stolzenberg
Living Category – Inducted 1981
In 1933, a fresh 18-year old country kid named Ray
Stolzenberg launched his band “The Northern Playboys” at a dance in
LeRoy, Minnesota. From small community dance halls they went on the
road to playing in ballrooms from St. Paul to Cedar Rapids, from Kansas
to Chicago for the next 18 years, going practically seven days a week.
Stolzenberg, a drummer, had about a thousand arrangements in his music
library. He was featured on radio KATE Austin, KAUS and KROC
Rochester. His band appeared regularly on a music program from the
Mankato TV Station.
In 1967 when the band business declined, he opened
a music store.
Back in the '40s the band cut eight 78 rpm
records, followed by a number of 45’s and several LP albums. Upon his
retirement, he moved to Sun City, Arizona. In 1980, all of his band
members followed him, making their homes in the Phoenix area. They have
begun playing in the area and have stacked up booking engagements for a
year in advance. |
