Category: Musicians

Composer Born In: Kenosha, WI You Know Him As: Arranger for the music on the “Its A Small World” ride for Disney. Did you know?: Will Schaefer was responsible for many of the theme songs of your favorite TV shows while growing up. Will Schaefer (November 23, 1928 – June 30, 2007) was an American composer nominated for both an Emmy Award and a Pulitzer Prize for his work. He wrote background music for a number of popular television shows and composed over 700 commercials. Schaefer was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin in 1928. His father, Helmut Schaefer, was a founder of the Kenosha Symphony Orchestra. Schaefer was educated at Mary D. Bradford High School, De Paul University (B.M.), and Northwestern University (M.A. and some work toward a Doctor of Music degree). His first credits as a film and television composer date from 1948. He served during the Korean War with... More

Birthplace: Kenosha, WI You Know Him From: Singer/songwriter and a member of the group Semi-Twang, who recorded “Salty Tears” in 1988. Did You Know?: Some of the songs John Sieger has written have been recorded by Dwight Yoakam and the BoDeans. John Sieger was born the fifth child of seven to Al and Martha Sieger in Kenosha. He started out in the music business by performing original and cover material in Kenosha and by playing the Chicago bar band scene. In 1971, Sieger was the guitarist in the Starboys dance band, which happened to be performing for a high school dance at Tremper High School in Kenosha. That evening Sieger met Michael Feldman (of Wisconsin Public Radio’s “Whad’ya Know?“) for the first time, as well as Feldman’s wife, Marge. Shortly after this meeting, Sieger and Marge got together, inciting a divorce between Marge and Michael. Despite this rocky start, John... More

Musician Raised in: Racine, WI You Know Him As: Former member of the Steve Miller Band Did you know?: Ben Sidran was also a member of The Ardells and played with Boz Scaggs. Sidran was raised in Racine, Wisconsin, and attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1961, where he became a member of The Ardells along with Steve Miller and Boz Scaggs. When Miller and Scaggs left Wisconsin for the West Coast and stardom, Sidran stayed behind to earn a degree in English literature. After graduating in 1966, Sidran enrolled in the University of Sussex, England, to pursue a PhD degree in American Studies. Sidran rejoined Miller in an English recording studio the next year, playing on the album “Children of the Future.” While in England, he was a session musician for artists that included Eric Clapton, The Rolling Stones, Peter Frampton and Charlie Watts. After a brief stint in... More

Industrial/Metal/Experimental Band Formed In:Kenosha, WI You Know Them From:Opening act for Danzig, Gwar, Type O Negative, among many others. Did You Know? The Electric Hellfire Club is an industrial metal band mixing elements of glam metal, techno, gothic rock, psychedelia, black metal themes and experimental noise. The band’s music has been described as “electro evil,” and contains tongue-in-cheek references to evil, violence, sex, devil worship, and mass murder. The band also makes use of sampling, mainly from grindhouse horror films and criminal documentaries. Based in Kenosha, Wisconsin, the Electric Hellfire Club was formed in 1991 when Thomas Thorn (aka Buck Ryder), departed the industrial/techno band My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult. The Electric Hellfire Club initially comprised Thorn (vocals, keyboard programming), co-founder and keyboardist Shane Lassen (aka Rev. Dr. Luv), and guitarist Ronny Valeo. After the initial string of live shows, drummer Eric Peterson (aka Janna Flail) would be... More

Birthplace: Racine, WI You Know Her From: Co-wrote and recorded hit song, The Yellow Rose of Texas. Did You Know?: Lane Brody was born Lynn Connie Voorlas on September 24 (year unknown — between 1956-’60) in Oak Park, Illinois. The name aspect is confusing with Mrs. Brody as she’s recorded under 4 different ones: Lynn Voorlas, Lynn Nilles, and Lane Brody. A proper birth certificate simply called her Eleni, Greek for “Lane.” Grandfather, Arisdis Voorlas (1880-1918), immigrated to the United States from Osmanga, Greece in 1904 and worked as a core maker in Racine, Wisconsin, where he also married Sophia Asshposia James. Lane’s parents, Gust Voorlas and Jane Ellis Voorlas, married in September of 1948 and owned a restaurant in Kenosha, ‘The Bill Of Fare,’ once located in Town & Country Plaza (off 75th Street and 47th Avenue). Lane and brother Peter often helped out at the family restaurant as... More

Heavy Metal Band Formed in: Kenosha, WI You Know Them As: Opening act for Anthrax, Testament, and more. Did you know?: Lazarus A.D. were originally formed as “Lazarus” in 2005, they later added the “A.D.” to avoid legal issues.   Lazarus A.D. is a thrash metal band from Kenosha, Wisconsin, consisting of Jeff Paulick, Dan Gapen, Alex Lackner, and Ryan Shutler. Originally formed as “Lazarus” in 2005. The “A.D.” was added to avoid potential legal issues. In 2006, Lazarus A.D. was selected as an opening act for Anthrax, they released their debut album, “The Onslaught” the following year, to rave reviews in the metal underground, drawing the attention of Metal Blade Records. Metal Blade re-released the album in 2009 and Lazarus A.D. spent the year touring with bands such as Amon Amarth, Goatwhore, Testament, and Unearth. They have released their most recent record “Black Rivers Flow” through Metal Blade Records... More

Musician / Author Raised in: Racine, WI You Know Him As: Lead singer and founding member of the renowned punk band Bad Religion Did you know?: Greg Graffin should be referred to as Dr. Graffin – he earned his Ph.D. in Evolutionary Biology at Cornell University.   Gregory Walter Graffin, Ph.D. (born November 6, 1964) is an American punk rock musician, college professor, and author. He was born in Madison, but his family soon relocated to Racine where he lived full time until his parents divorce in 1971, at which time he spent half of his time in Wisconsin and the other half in San Fernando Valley, California. His father, Walter Graffin, is a former English professor at the University of Wisconsin- Parkside.   He is most recognized as the lead vocalist and songwriter of the noted Los Angeles band Bad Religion, which he co-founded in 1979. He has also... More

Rock Band Formed In:Zion, IL You Know Them From:“Bound To The Floor” – their 1996 hit alternative rock song. Did you know?Local H is an American alternative rock duo, formed by Joe Daniels and Scott Lucas in 1990 in Zion, Illinois. The members met in high school in 1988 and went on to form Local H two years after which included Matt Garcia on bass guitar. Local H signed a record contract with Island Records in 1994 and released a total of three albums under Island Records. Local H was originally a three-piece band which was formed by Joe Daniels on drums, Scott Lucas on vocals and guitar, and Matthew Garcia on bass. In 1987, while attending high school in Zion, Illinois, Daniels and Lucas began jamming together. Later, Garcia joined them, and Local H was formed in 1990. In 1993, Garcia left the band, and Lucas and Daniels began... More

Jazz Musician Birthplace:Waukegan, IL You Know Him As:The drummer for The Jay Leno Show Did You Know?Marvin “Smitty” Smith (born June 24, 1961) is an American jazz drummer and composer. Smith was the drummer during the entire run of The Jay Leno Show. Smith was born in Waukegan, Illinois, where his father, Marvin Sr., was a drummer. As a result, “Smitty,” as he is called by fellow bandmates, was exposed to drumming at a young age, receiving formal musical training at the age of three. Smith, an alumnus of Berklee, has recorded 200 albums with various artists, as well as two solo albums. In addition, he also has toured with Sting, Dave Holland, Sonny Rollins, Willie Nelson and with Steve Coleman. He is a former member of The New York Jazz Quartet, and is in a band with Kevin Eubanks, fellow Berklee alum and Tonight Show band member. Marvin Smith... More