The Rhythm Playboys

Wisconsin Band that celebrated its 60th anniversary on 6/0/2018. Many past band members, special guests made appearances and played along with the current band members for the celebration. Although band members have changed over the years the spirit of the band and the music remains the same. According to 4 Feb 2002 - Ralph and Norman Herman grew up in a musical family on a Pleasantville [Wisconsin] farm. Their uncle played accordion while they got their hair cut. The instrument fascinated Ralph Herman. Norman Herman liked the guitar. Their cousin Maug played a little banjo. "We were fooling around one Sunday afternoon and we struck it up," said Ralph Herman. "None of us had taken a lesson," This trio formed the Pleasantville Trio. In the 1950's they picked up new members which formed The Rhythm Playboys with 7 members. The band won a talent contest in the 1960's and won a recording session in Kentucky. They cut a 45 with 4 songs on it. In 1975 Dewey Rothering (lead singer) was killed in a car accident after a show. Ralph Herman states "We don't play rock and roll. We play songs that will never die. They were here before us and they will be here after we are gone." Original Band Members: Ralph Herman (deceased 2008), Norman Herman, Alvin Zastrow, Orville Dahl, Vilas Dahl, Dewey Rothering (deceased 1975), Don Maug, Band Members in 2002: Ryan Herman, Vilas Dahl, Don Maug, Ralph Herman, Al Zastrow, Jerry Dahl (picture uploaded from 2002). Band Members in 2009: Ryan Herman, Don Maug, Alvin Zastrow, Orville Dahl, Larry Janke