by Carl Simchena Bernie Witkowski, aka Bernie Wyte, was born in New York and was a fourth generation clarinet player. However, his talent didn’t stop with playing the clarinet; he also played sax, accordion, flute, drums and organ. In addition, he wrote the words and music to many songs and introduced Bernie Witkowski new dances. He also found time to conduct a successful radio show. The Bernie Witkowski Orchestra introduced many of the figure dances popular with polka dancers everywhere. These songs included “Side By Side,” “Swing And Sway,” “Grasshopper,” “Merry-go-Round,” and others. Among his hits were “The Fire Polka,” “Hey Krajewski Polka” and “Hot Pretzels.” Although excelling in Polka music, the Bernie Witkowski Orchestra was at home with the cha-cha, twist, fox-trot, and even rock and roll. Over time, The Bernie Wyte Orchestra toured throughout the United States and, for many years, played at Madison Square Garden in New York City for the Harvest Moon Polka Contest. In 1971, because of his many achievements, Bernie Witkowski was inducted into the Polka Music Hall of Fame. A few years prior to his induction, Bernie competed on the NBC program “Live Like A Millionaire”. He won the contest by playing the “Clarinet Polka.” As a winner, he received an amount of interest (2% of one million dollars), a Pontiac, an RCA Color TV, a one
Polka Memories: Two polka greats, Lil Wally and Marion Lush share a vocal together. (Photo by Steve Litwin)
week vacation and a diamond ring. As Bernie explained it, “I enjoyed living like a millionaire, but to tell the truth, I enjoy it more when people tell me my music sounds like
by Bernie Witkowski
This CD features 24 of Bernie Wyte's best tunes. Included are the Pennsylvania Polka, Nightingale Polka, Wine, Women, and Polka, Bingo Polka, Pulaski Skyway Polka, and Spiteful Girl Polka, to name a few. You can order you copy by calling Jimmy K Polkas as 1-866-454-6695, or by sending an e-mail to customerservice@ jimmykpolkas.com.
a million bucks.” In his many appearances, he made acquaintances with such celebrities as Frank Sinatra, Sophie Tucker, Milton Berle, Jackie Gleason, Xavier Cugat, Benny Goodman, Sammy Kaye, Harry James, Vincent Lopez, Henri Rene, Abbe Lane, Governor Rockefeller, and others. Polka fans in New Jersey and New York listened to his radio show on WEVD-FM Sun- going to wazlam.com. days at 8:00 p.m. Finally, stay warm. I'll check back with you in Although he has passed away, his legacy of next month's Panorama. In the meantime, have great polka music will always invoke happy a Happy Valentine's Day. memories in many polka fans. On sad note, our area has lost another great musician. Greg Comishock, who was known to many area polka fans, died on Wednesday, January 7. Greg was a very talented drummer who performed with the Astro Polka Band as well as The Shoreliners. He was 56 years old. We are your Specialty Seafood In closing, be sure to tune into my radio show, Shop for all your Seafood needs! "The Polka Connection" Sundays from 10:30 am until 1:00 pm on 94.5 WAZL FM and 1490 WAZL AM. We can also be heard on line by
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February 2015 • 19