Larry Pagel
American Polka tuba player. Born March 21, 1918 in Brillion, Wisconsin. Died October 21, 2011 (age of 93) in Brillion, Wisconsin. He was the last of the original Red Raven Orchestra and is considered the “godfather” of all Wisconsin old-time tuba players. Larry started his playing career at the age of 16, having studied the bass horn under the direction of Carl Wolf, Brillion High School music teacher. He left home at 18 years old to play in the Dick Strickland Band in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Larry was famous for his recordings of Tubby the Tuba and The Elephant Waltz and was on every RCA Victor recording with the Red Ravens. He to play with Dick Friche at the 5 OClock Club in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. He also had his own band named Larry Pagel and the Midnite Rounders. After the war he rejoined Lawrence Duchow and the Red Raven Orchestra, playing throughout the Midwest, until they disbanded in 1954. Larrys final gig was with the Gene Heier Orchestra, playing with Gene for 35 years. While playing with Gene, he taught himself to play the bass guitar and used it a great deal on their modern music arrangements.
