Polka Boy Tonight at the Rathskeller – Accordionist Jeff Russell Tells Story of Singing “Back in Black” as Ethel Merman

by Kent Sterling

Accordionist Jeff Russell is looking forward to performing tonight at the Rathskeller.

Accordionist Jeff Russell is looking forward to performing tonight at the Rathskeller.

My enjoyment of Polka Boy on a beautiful Friday night as the Rathskeller in Indianapolis is well-documented.  That tradition is one that I honor every single time it happens.

I wrote a little bit about Polka Boy opening the biergarten earlier in the spring, and accordionist Jeff Russell was nice enough to correct some of the apocryphal stories that had circulated about the band -= like that all went to the IU School of Music.

Jeff was generous enough to sit down over a beer at Patrick’s in Zionsville to set me straight.  It was great to meet the guy who sings “Back in Black” as Ethel Merman – always a highlight of the evening – although frightening to kids, as I found out.

Tonight, you can see Indy’s best party band live at the Rathskeller.

To give you some perspective on what you will see and hear tonight, here’s Jeff telling the story of how he came to don a wig to sing the AC/DC classic as one of the great entertainers in Broadway history.

4 thoughts on “Polka Boy Tonight at the Rathskeller – Accordionist Jeff Russell Tells Story of Singing “Back in Black” as Ethel Merman

  1. Pauly Balst

    Great story Kent! Does Polka Boy have a website? I’d like to take in some history if they are north of Tippecanoe and south of the Cheddar Curtain.

    Reply
    1. kentsterling Post author

      The website is http://www.polkaboy.com

      The guys generally work within 50 miles of Indy 13-15 times per year. They are the band we went to see at the Rathskeller on Pole Day a couple of years ago but they weren’t playing.

      Reply
  2. Bill

    Polka Boy opens up the Cool Creek Concert Series in Westfield this next Friday, June 14th at 7pm. Admission only $5 for adults, kids free. Park located on 151th St, just east of US 31.

    Reply
    1. kentsterling Post author

      There will be a post this week with another story from Jeff Russell, a member of the Great Wall of Accordions, to preview the Cool Creek Show.

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *