Trustees Honor Roll

Tavernkeepers and Promoters (1928, 1935)
Inducted on November 27, 1993

Strangers to the polka business, Steve and Roz Silber took over the Mellody Bar and made it Milwaukee’s premiere Cleveland-Style Polka spot. Hearing Bob Timko play in Waukegan in 1973, Steve and Roz fell in love with Cleveland-Style music and decided to make it the Mellody’s steady fare. In 1978, the Silbers began bringing busloads of fans to Cleveland’s annual Thanksgiving polka festivities, leading to a commendation from the City of Cleveland in 1981 for promoting Slovenian cultural heritage. Throughout their tenure, Steve and Roz rolled out the welcome mat, making the Mellody Bar a regular stop for Cleveland-Style orchestras on the road. Among the bands the Silbers featured there were Bob Timko, Eddie Buehner, Richie Vadnal, Hank Thunander, Joe Fedorchak, John Tasz, Dave Wretschko, Eddie Rodick and Frankie Kramer.