The Golden Eagle Band

In the 1930's, the band began as the Eagles Club Band performing at the Eagles Club.

Eagles Club at 24th and Wisconsin Avenue in Milwaukee back in the 1940's and 1950's, the birthplace of the Golden Eagle Band.

This coin as pictured below was used for entrance into the Eagles Club bath for 25 cents.

Prior to 1972, Floyd Cash directed the band.  In 1972, Bill Polley became the director after Floyd Cash had had the misfortune of suffering a stroke.  Bill Polley began rehearsing the band at the Oasis Senior Center located at 2414 W. Mitchell Street.  

Director William “Bill” Polley 1972-1999

Bill Polley was born August 27, 1919 and at the tender age of 96 he left this world on February 29, 2016. Bill was the proud father of 9 children, 21 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. Bill lived a life of service to his family, friends and neighbors, always willing to lend a hand; to the US Navy, the Boy Scouts of America, the Golden Eagle Band as a musician and later director, the Milwaukee Letter Carrier’s Band, the Milwaukee Police Band, the St. Vincent DePaul Society, and the American Legion. Bill is missed by many people including the members both past and present of the Golden Eagle Band.

Bill Polley met Karen Dubis in 1978 when they both jointly performed in the Milwaukee Police Band and became friends almost immediately. Bill invited Karen to join the John Fromm jazz ensemble named Johnny’s Foxes at that time and they were friends until the day that Bill passed.

Karen Dubis and Bill Polley in 1978 (Above)

Bill Polley passed the baton to the present conductor, Karen Dubis, in 1999 (below).

Golden Eagle Band Director 1999-Present, Karen Dubis

Below is a program from 2003 that was given to persons attending our concerts at the retirement communities with which we serve.

In 2008, the Golden Eagle Band was listed in the Milwaukee Magazine giving them a shout out as part of the best of 2008 edition in October.