Rocky Rockwell
On March 2, 1923, I was born in St. Joseph, Missouri. My father had been in the electrical trade and I spent sometime as an apprentice under his guidance. The electrical field remained a mystery to me.
After graduating from Benton High School in 1941, I enrolled in Marysville State Teacher College and was a student there until I was called to active duty with the Army Air Force on March 2, 1943.
I served with the 865th AAF Band in the CBI theater during WWII, when it was my pleasure to meet and work with many former members of America's name bands who were also in military service.
After being discharged from military duty, I maintained my musical interest and was associated with several Mid-west orchestras, among them the band's of Harry Collins, Jimmy Caton and Elmer Hall. Next, I was connected with a Polka Band, the Royal Bohemians, broadcasting over Radio Station KMMJ at Grand Island, Nebraska. There, in February 1951, I was introduced to Lawrence Welk by the announcer at KMMJ. Mr. Welk was en route to an engagement at the Frog Hop Ballroom in my hometown, St. Joseph, and arrangements were made for me to audition with his band. On my birthday, March 2, 1951, I played my first engagement as a member of Lawrence Welk's Band, in Omaha, Nebraska.
That same year, the Band came west to California and Lawrence began his amazing TV career. I remained with the Welk Show until March of 1962.
My life in the musical world has been rewarding both from the viewpoint of my own experience and in any enjoyment I might have provided others.
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