MICHAEL:
In July of 1955 Ronald Reagan, the actor joined Walt Disney at the grand opening of Disneyland in California. Bill Haley and the Comets’ “Rock around the Clock” became a hit with 1950s teenagers, and Colonel Tom Parker became Elvis’s manager. The Phillies ended their ‘55 season in fourth place playing their home games at Connie Mack Stadium in North Philadelphia.
That same summer, John Galgon, his brother Erwin, Jakob Stefany and Werner Hut bought instruments at local pawn shops and started practicing. Soon they were joined by others, like Eddie Menhardt and George Gouger who is here tonight. Let’s hear it for “Uncle George”
From the start, people were talking about how they had a new sound. The German Hungarian Sport Club members established friendships with the Heimatklänge and they, were, hooked. They carried on from generation to generation. They followed the band in the 50s, their children danced alongside the band in the 70s, 80s and 90s, and today a third generation still maintains friendship, and family with die Heimatklänge.
NICHOLE:
There were many German Bands in this area when my grandparents were young; not as many now. My mother told me she had asked my grandmother, Emily Fricker, what made you all love Heimatklänge so much when you were young. She replied, “when they played, they made the walls shake.” I think if you have seen the current HK play at the Armory Oktoberfest in Philadelphia, you would agree: they still make the walls shake!
MICHAEL:
They recorded albums, and the fans were so excited that they got their copies signed. Over the years the music of those Vinyl records made it to 8 tracks and then cassette, CD’s and then the cloud.
NICHOLE:
When a handful of young men started this band in 1955, I doubt they thought their band, their music would still be relevant 7 decades later. The music is still being enjoyed today because of a new generation of band members.
MICHAEL:
Tonight we gather for this social evening dedicated to music, the music that wherever we are in the world, reminds us of home.
NICHOLE:
Please raise a glass,
MICHAEL:
To the musicians of the past,
NICHOLE:
those that play today and the audiences that make it worthwhile,
MICHAEL:
Prosit to 70 wonderful years of music!
NICHOLE:
Music is vital to culture. It shapes and reflects identity, preserves heritage, unites communities and facilitates expression, beyond language, connecting us to our history, values, and each other, through shared emotional experiences. It embodies collective memory, tells stories, and provides a sense of belonging, which is integral to keeping our heritage alive. Die Heimatklänge Orchestra is not just important for entertainment purposes, the music they create is woven into the fabric of our German American community, making our clubs more meaningful and cohesive.
MICHAEL:
Over the years many legendary names have joined the ranks of “Uncle John’s Band” (I had to get that line in for Johnny Blank). Sometimes John and Erwin picked up guys at the docks as soon as they arrived in the states. From the earliest days the musical objective included preserving the old, and adding the new.
These days the lineup of Billy, Freddy, Joe, John, Wayne, and Dino have advanced that objective. Musically they have expanded their repertoire, recast old favorites with new arrangements, and perfected the medley.
NICHOLE:
As audiences in America have changed, this band has been able to adapt from a dance band to a performance band. They are successful because they play to the audience. Not many bands choose to work like this. Versatility has been key to their success. Over 70 years Heimatklänge has had small quartets, several dance bands, a full concert brass band, a youth band, the later brass ensemble and even a marching band. You can see Heimatklänge perform at Oktoberfests, Kirchweihfeste, weddings, banquets, parades, anniversaries, restaurants, birthday parties, reunions, festivals, central park, cruise ships…for as few as 50 people and as many as thousands; They play traditional German polkas and waltzes, German folk music, alpine rock, German popular line dances, American big band, country and current pop music. THEY CAN DO IT ALL AND THEY DO IT WELL.
MICHAEL:
They have gained a following that continues outside Philadelphia, from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, to Ohio, Milwaukee, Maryland and even further. But they have always made time, for “the club” at home. The German Hungarians early on became their home base and has been a lasting partnership.
NICHOLE:
I’ve been listening to the music of Heimatklänge for 44 years. I have so many memories entwined with their songs. My son lists HK as the first band he ever saw in concert. Dance jobs are better when we work together as a team. I couldn’t imagine dancing at Kirchweihfest without our beloved HK playing the march for us. They played at my wedding, just like my parents’ and grandparents.
MICHAEL:
They played at my wedding, and my parent’s and MY grandparent’s!
together:
Stand up if the Heimatklänge played at your wedding!
We don’t want to leave anyone out, stand up if you’ve been to a wedding that the Heimatklänge played!
NICHOLE:
The Name of the band, Heimatklänge, it means sounds of home.
Last summer I had the opportunity to travel to Hungary and Serbia for a Welttreffen. While there, we visited multiple German Speaking communities. We were welcomed with warm receptions filled with wonderful food, drink and of course Music. I had the unique opportunity of being able to listen and dance to the songs I’ve learned to love from our HK while visiting the homeland of my grandparents and many founding members of the Heimatklänge. It gave me goosebumps and brought tears to my eyes to be able to stand on the land where my grandparents were from and listen to the same music they enjoyed.
MICHAEL:
My dad listened to the Heimatklänge in his car, and I think the only other stuff that graced those speakers, was Sean Hannity; maybe Rush, maybe the Dead, but definitely Heimatklänge. After my grandfather Joe Hartmann died, being able to listen to him sing on HK cds made me feel like he wasn’t that far away.
For a while now I’ve gotten to be the secret marketing team for the band. Usually I get a text from uncle Joey that says “can ya?” With some ask like a flyer, a schedule graphic, or to setup the HK Facebook page. I got to write the short Bio that appeared on the Milwaukee German Fest website, and I got to design the huge backdrop for HK in Central Park. How cool is that?
Sometimes it’s designing 50 different t shirts, for the final product to just be a simple clean logo on a black shirt but I would not have it any other way. Fellas please, Keep asking me, Keep asking me. I will help always.
NICHOLE:
Lot’s of folks like to help! The band has always been social with their audience but it has reached new levels. In the last decade they have grown an entourage of people that are part of Heimatklänge even though they’re not!
Roadies, groupies, backup singers, stage dancers, sound engineers, an-hangers. You know who you are! It’s good for the band and good for the fans.
MICHAEL:
In 2025 they had 32 gigs together, The six guys.
Each brings something special to the table.
They have unique talents:
together:
Keeping the beat,
wearing sunglasses when it isn’t sunny,
exuding sex appeal,
Partying on,
making up the words,
and of course great hair!
NICHOLE:
The truth is that the Heimatklänge today is strong because these guys have a bond with each other that makes the rest of us keep coming.
MICHAEL:
That makes the music worth listening to.
together:
Thank You, Billy, Freddy, Joe, John, Wayne, Dino for being our band!
Editor’s Note: Nichole and Michael delivered the above speech in two sections at the Heimatklänge’s 70th Anniversary Party on February 28, 2026 at the Vereinigung Erzgebirge. The text has minor edits for print distribution.