Steve Wahrer
Steve Wahrer | |
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| Background information | |
| Born | Stephen Gary Wahrer November 22, 1941 Keokuk, Iowa, U.S. |
| Died | January 21, 1989 (aged 47) Robbinsdale, Minnesota, U.S. |
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| Instruments |
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| Years active | 1957–1988 |
| Label | Soma |
| Formerly of |
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Steve Wahrer (November 22, 1941 – January 21, 1989) was an American drummer and singer who is best known for being the co-lead vocalist in the rock band The Trashmen. He sang their best-known song "Surfin' Bird",[1][2] and also shared lead vocals with guitarist Tony Andreason.
Early life
[edit]Stephen Gary Wahrer was born in Keokuk, Iowa, the son of Stephen Walter Wahrer (1922–1993)[3] and Mariana Mae Wahrer (née Strube, 1923–1969).[4] His immediate family also included his two sisters, Vicky Ann (née Wahrer) Zander and Susan "Sue" (née Wahrer) Schumacher.
Growing up in Keokuk, he went by his middle name Gary and attended Keokuk Junior High School. In 1955, at age 13, he was a bat boy for the champion minor league baseball team, the Keokuk Kernels, where he was nicknamed "Whitey" due to his very light blonde hair. Prior to his freshman year of high school, his family relocated to Robbinsdale, Minnesota, where he attended Robbinsdale High School and began using the name Steve.
Career
[edit]In high school, Wahrer met rhythm guitarist Dal Winslow, and they soon began performing together. In 1957, they met lead guitarist Tony Andreason at the Crystal Coliseum, eventually forming the instrumental trio The Citations.
Following a stint with Jim Thaxter and the Travelers, and a brief period in 1961 playing with the Anoka-based band The Trespassers, Wahrer co-founded the Trashmen in 1962 with Winslow, Andreason, and bassist Bob Reed.[5] The Trashmen released "Surfin' Bird", a song that was a combination of "The Bird is the Word" and "Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow" by The Rivingtons. The song became a hit, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 on January 25, 1964.
On January 4, 1964, Wahrer appeared alone on American Bandstand to lip-synch "Surfin' Bird" and perform the "Bird Dance" because the show declined to pay travel costs for the entire band.[6] Wahrer was also a close friend of Miriam Linna, founder of The Cramps.[citation needed]
Personal life and death
[edit]Wahrer married Lucille Margaret Aanonson on December 21, 1963; they later divorced. He married LaVonne Barbara Boehnen on December 21, 1971, and they divorced in February 1980. Wahrer had no children.
Following the Trashmen's disbandment in 1967, Wahrer remained in the Twin Cities, playing with various local acts and backing regional country singer Betty Rydell. He participated in Trashmen reunions starting in 1982. Wahrer died of throat cancer on January 21, 1989, at North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale, Minnesota, at the age of 47.[7]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Famous birthdays Nov. 13; and: Bird is the word, for Minnesota's Trashmen". Twin Cities. 2016-11-14. Retrieved 2024-02-18.
- ↑ "What is the most popular song by Steve Wahrer?". Genius. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
- ↑ "Wahrer". Star Tribune. Minneapolis, MN. March 16, 1993. p. 18. Retrieved June 2, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Mrs. Mariana Wahrer". The Minneapolis Star. Minneapolis, MN. August 28, 1969. p. 68. Retrieved June 2, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Archives, L. A. Times (1989-01-23). "Steve Wahrer, 47; '60s Rock Drummer". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2024-02-07.
- ↑ "American Bandstand" Episode #7.15 (TV Episode 1964) - IMDb, retrieved 2024-02-23
- ↑ "Trashmen drummer dead of cancer - UPI Archives". UPI. Retrieved 2024-02-07.
External links
[edit]- Steve Wahrer at IMDb
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