Chet Gulinski
Encyclopedia
Chester "Chet" Gulinski was an influential Chicago-area broadcaster and promoter best known for his longtime support for polka
music in Chicago. His show was heard on numerous area stations and ran for nearly 40 years.
. His earlier career included owning Ridge Prescription Pharmacy. He was a Field Representative for Rexall
Drug Co., and was a Pharmaceutical Hospital Representative for E. R. Squibb & Sons. He was involved with three recording companies, Ampol
, Mil-Poll, and Ridgemoor Records.
, who assisted with the broadcasts and managed Action Tours, Adrian and Daniel, who are both dentists, and Renee, who has a Masters Degree in Psychology from the University of Chicago
.
by the Polish National Alliance
in 1987. His efforts resulted in programs that brought Marion Lush, Lucy Bartoszewski, Emilie Richards, Bob Maczko, and Joe Walega to WPNA.
, The 47th Street Free Fair, Tony Piet's Pontiac City, Delta Wholesale, Polonia Grove and Ballroom, Pulaski Village, Wozniak's Casino, Harmony Hall, Congress Ballroom, Lion's Ballroom, Maple Lanes, Polka Castle, Sportsman's Park
, Lucy's Wisconsin Rendezvous and a great number of parish and picnic Festivals.
He hosted a Monday thru Friday Morning three Hour Polka Show on WPNA
until 1992.
The show had enduring popularity in an around Chicago because of a large population of Eastern European immigrants and second- or third-generation descendants. Chicago holds several large populations of people of Polish, German and Lithuanian descent, and for years, they tuned in to hear Chet spin polkas or broadcast from live polka parties in the area. Several of his sponsors targeted this audience, including one sponsor who offered services to have deceased loved ones' remains transported for burial in Poland!
Until his death, Chet's broadcasts fostered quality and professionalism. His broadcasts were recorded in his own studios where he had a collection of over 3,500 albums, cassettes, and CD's, and over eighty plaques and awards a fitting testimonial for his broadcasting contribution.
Chet was active with his son Chris promoting polka tours. The tours included polka festivals, cruises, and voyages to Hawaii or European destinations. He was a Director in the International Polka Association
on two occasions and a Director in UPA International. He was the President of the Senior Polka Association South and North organized in 1982, President of the Brickyard Seniors and the PRCUA.
Ed Burke
of Chicago's 14th Ward, entered a resolution in the City Council proceedings commemorating Chet's life and death.
Polka
The polka is a Central European dance and also a genre of dance music familiar throughout Europe and the Americas. It originated in the middle of the 19th century in Bohemia...
music in Chicago. His show was heard on numerous area stations and ran for nearly 40 years.
Early life
Chet Gulinski was born in Chicago, Illinois on October 24, 1924. He attended Five Holy Martyrs Grade School, Quigley Seminary, St. Joseph's High School, and DePaul UniversityDePaul University
DePaul University is a private institution of higher education and research in Chicago, Illinois. Founded by the Vincentians in 1898, the university takes its name from the 17th century French priest Saint Vincent de Paul...
. His earlier career included owning Ridge Prescription Pharmacy. He was a Field Representative for Rexall
Rexall
Rexall was a chain of North American drugstores, and the name of their store-branded products. The stores, having roots in the federation of United Drug Stores starting in 1902, licensed the Rexall brand name to as many as 12,000 drug stores across the United States from 1920 to 1977...
Drug Co., and was a Pharmaceutical Hospital Representative for E. R. Squibb & Sons. He was involved with three recording companies, Ampol
Ampol
Ampol, the Australian Motorists Petrol Company, was incorporated by Sir William Gaston Walkley in 1936 in New South Wales. This was in response to Australians' concerns about perceived inequitable petrol pricing, and allegations of transfer pricing by foreign oil companies to limit their tax...
, Mil-Poll, and Ridgemoor Records.
Family
Chet was married to Evelyn. They had four children: Chris, a graduate of Marquette UniversityMarquette University
Marquette University is a private, coeducational, Jesuit, Roman Catholic university located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1881, the school is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities...
, who assisted with the broadcasts and managed Action Tours, Adrian and Daniel, who are both dentists, and Renee, who has a Masters Degree in Psychology from the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
.
Radio career
Chet's radio career varied. He was a Sales Manager for Radio Stations WGLD, WOPA and WPNA. He and his son Chris produced a television show on Chicago's Channel 44, later on Channel 26. He was a Staff Announcer for WTAQ and WOPA. Chet was instrumental in the purchase of WPNAWPNA
WPNA is a radio station licensed to Oak Park, Illinois, USA, the station serves the Chicago area. The station is currently owned by Alliance Communications...
by the Polish National Alliance
Polish National Alliance
The Polish National Alliance is the largest and one of the oldest Polish fraternal organizations in the United States, founded on 15 February 1880 in Philadelphia under the influence of Polish patriot Agaton Giller. Its first president was Juliusz Andrzejkowicz.The PNA founded a number of...
in 1987. His efforts resulted in programs that brought Marion Lush, Lucy Bartoszewski, Emilie Richards, Bob Maczko, and Joe Walega to WPNA.
The Chet Gulinski Show
The first "Chet Gulinski Show" was broadcast at 7:30 PM, Sunday, November 5, 1955. The show broadcast many times as remotes from locations around Chicago such as the Aragon Ballroom, Chicago's Lake Front Festival, the Navy PierNavy Pier
Navy Pier is a long pier on the Chicago shoreline of Lake Michigan. It is located in the Streeterville neighborhood of the Near North Side community area. The pier was built in 1916 at a cost of $4.5 million, equivalent to $ today. It was a part of the Plan of Chicago developed by architect and...
, The 47th Street Free Fair, Tony Piet's Pontiac City, Delta Wholesale, Polonia Grove and Ballroom, Pulaski Village, Wozniak's Casino, Harmony Hall, Congress Ballroom, Lion's Ballroom, Maple Lanes, Polka Castle, Sportsman's Park
Sportsman's Park
Sportsman's Park was the name of several former Major League Baseball ballpark structures in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, all but one of which were located on the same piece of land, the northwest corner of Grand Boulevard and Dodier Street on the north side of the city.- History :From...
, Lucy's Wisconsin Rendezvous and a great number of parish and picnic Festivals.
He hosted a Monday thru Friday Morning three Hour Polka Show on WPNA
WPNA
WPNA is a radio station licensed to Oak Park, Illinois, USA, the station serves the Chicago area. The station is currently owned by Alliance Communications...
until 1992.
The show had enduring popularity in an around Chicago because of a large population of Eastern European immigrants and second- or third-generation descendants. Chicago holds several large populations of people of Polish, German and Lithuanian descent, and for years, they tuned in to hear Chet spin polkas or broadcast from live polka parties in the area. Several of his sponsors targeted this audience, including one sponsor who offered services to have deceased loved ones' remains transported for burial in Poland!
Until his death, Chet's broadcasts fostered quality and professionalism. His broadcasts were recorded in his own studios where he had a collection of over 3,500 albums, cassettes, and CD's, and over eighty plaques and awards a fitting testimonial for his broadcasting contribution.
Chet was active with his son Chris promoting polka tours. The tours included polka festivals, cruises, and voyages to Hawaii or European destinations. He was a Director in the International Polka Association
International Polka Association
The International Polka Association, IPA is located in Chicago, Illinois and dedicated to the study and preservation of polka music and the cultural heritage of Polish Americans who have made this music tradition part of their heritage. The IPA hosts an annual festival and convention as well as its...
on two occasions and a Director in UPA International. He was the President of the Senior Polka Association South and North organized in 1982, President of the Brickyard Seniors and the PRCUA.
Death
Chet suffered a massive heart attack and died August 10, 1999 at Northwestern Hospital, Lake Forest, Illinois. On September 1, 1999, the City of Chicago, through AldermanAlderman
An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote, or a council...
Ed Burke
Ed Burke
Edward M. Burke is alderman of the 14th Ward of the City of Chicago. A member of the Democratic Party, he was first elected to the Chicago City Council in 1969, and represents part of the city's Southwest Side. Burke has been called Chicago's "most powerful alderman" by the Chicago Sun-Times...
of Chicago's 14th Ward, entered a resolution in the City Council proceedings commemorating Chet's life and death.