Real name: Ross Gordon / Emil Gorski

Members: B.B. Schwalen, Norm Kingsley, Curt Jensen (2), Larry Borenstein, Chuck Duncan (2), Herman Feller, Harry Washkowske, Don Luick, Ralph Hoff

“Uncle Julius” was an over-the-air character created by Madison, WI, radio announcer “Ross Gordon,” which in turn was the professional name of one Emil Gorski. While spinning “Old Time” records on radio WKOW, Ross began speaking in German dialect as “Uncle Julius,” ultimately leading to the creation of a band led by the fictitious character.

Emil (Ross’s birth name) was the youngest of over half a dozen children born to Antonia Kolakowski and her husband Joseph W. Gorski in the northern Wisconsin town of Three Rivers. Emil spent World War II as an instructor at Camp Hood (now Fort Cavazos), TX, which opened in 1942 as a new “Tank Destroyer Tactical and Firing Center.” After the war, Emil got into radio announcing, working at WSPA, Spartanburg, SC; WWL, New Orleans, LA; and WTAD, Quincy, IL. Over the air he was Ross Gordon, a professional name he ultimately adopted legally.

The Uncle Julius Band was actively performing by the fall of 1950, with regular engagements during 1951, and recordings for Capitol Records and Milwaukee’s Tell Records. He became a real estate agent, all the while maintaining his radio show, and using the Uncle Julius picture in his realty ads. He opened his own real estate office, and in 1961 ran unsuccessfully for mayor of Madison. Uncle Julius/Ross/Emil is not noted to have played an instrument, but did provide spoken introductions to recordings, and “directed” the Uncle Julius band at its live performances. Emil Gorski/Ross Gordon passed away unexpectedly on May 16, 1977, at the age of 58.