A Little History and Thanks!

Bullfrog has been together in one form or another since 1998.  It all started with three guys - Billy Galaxy (guitar), Charlie Crowell (percussion), and John Ilkow (bass, harp).  Soon after forming the band felt they needed an additional guitar player, so in October of 1998, Steve Randahl was added to round out the group.  As time went on our "Mr. Guitar" - Ken Russell (joined in May, 2000) was brought in to augment the band - giving Bullfrog some needed flexibility. 

Unfortunately in the fall of 2000 our bass player, John, had to give up the band and place his energies towards his growing family.  We miss him still, but we were luckily able to replace him with our current bass man - Gary "Hoss" Mlekush (October, 2000).  (Sometimes we get lucky.)  We have now lost Mr. Guitar.  Ken has to back off of playing in a band.  Too much time is involved in practicing and gigging, and he's chosen ("choose wisely, my son.") to devote that time to his family.  We'll miss you Ken.

But the band isn't just the musicians.  We have a support staff of family and friends.  Our staff photographers, Holly and Terry, take all those wonderful pictures at our gigs.  What would this website be without those pictures?  And our spouses - they let us practice every Wednesday night (well, almost every Wednesday) . . . and they let us out of the house to gig . . . . and they come to all our gigs!  While we're learning songs, you're putting up with us.  Thanks.  It's hard to express how much we appreciate it.

And we've also brought other musicians to fill in on various gigs.  A big thanks to all of them.  Those gigs couldn't have gone on without their musical talents.  Thanks.

And last, but certainly not least - our "fans".  I put "fans" in quotes, because  they're certainly more friends than fans.  We're not a big name band that would have true "fans".  But we do have friends

(well, maybe friends that are fans???).  Thanks to all of you who come out and have a good time with us.  We really appreciate your support.  (Ellyn, Roger, Maryann, Nola, Vicki, Devin, . . . . . and the list goes on and on . . . )  Thanks to all of you.

  Bullfrog -  Billy Galaxy, Charlie Crowell, Gary Mlekush & Steve Randahl

Current Bullfrog Band Members

William "Billy" Galaxy
(Guitar, lead vocals)
 Billy Galaxy, a native of the Southside of Chicago, began his guitar playing days in high school.  After college Billy's banking and finance career took precedence and he laid his axe down.  But as any guitar player knows, you just can't leave that instrument in the closet forever.  So, a few years ago he picked the guitar back up and began defining and refining his chops.  As a former member of The Lincoln Avenue Blues Band out of Fox River Grove, Billy has been seen performing in many local establishments. 

Charlie "The Animal" Crowell
(Percussion)
  Charlie Crowell, a madman on the drums, is one of the founding members of Bullfrog. Laying down the back-beat, Charlie has helped guide the band since 1997. Charlie's previous bands have included Skyway and Johnny & The Ball Busters.
 

Steve "Slide" Randahl
(Slide guitar, guitar, bass, vocals)
    The Slide Man has been playing guitar for over 30 years and was the 4th member of Bullfrog when it formed back in 1998.   A veteran of The Lincoln Avenue Blues Band, Dodgin' Bullets, and Duzzit Madder, "Slide" has been honing his slide guitar work taking as his influences Johnny Winter, Dave Hole, and Elmore James.  Slide had retired in 2006, but came back to the band in 2008.

Gary "Hoss" Mlekush
(Bass, vocals)
    "Hoss" has been playing in bands since high school. A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Gary's first band, The Remnants, shared the stage and played alternating sets with The Young Rascals. Since then Gary has played in bands in both Wisconsin and Illinois - the most recent being the alternative band - Panic Device. 

Bullfrog Staff Photographers

  Terry "Flash" Murphy

Terry was born in a small log cabin deep in the north woods. The love child of a Coyote and a Sasquatch (They have some very long winters up there). Little is known about Terry’s early years although to this day he is known to howl at the moon and frighten small children.

When Terry next came to the attention of the rest of the world he was found living with a small Prairie Dog colony in South Dakota by an Anthropology student from Iowa State College. Much to the relief of the female Prairie Dogs she took him back to school for show and tell. Later that year an International team of Scientists declared much to everyone’s surprise that Terry was human and not a particularly large Prairie Dog as previously though.

After he was forced to leave his cage at the college Terry wandered the world holding a series of demeaning jobs such as pig herder (to this day he claims that the pig lied), Carnival Geek, Rodeo Clown make up man, Director of the CIA and Financial Advisor to such companies and Enron and Arthur Anderson.

Late in 1999 Terry wandered in to a small bar in the middle of nowhere and heard for the first time the dulcet tones of the Bullfrog Band.  In order to keep Terry from playing with himself during slow songs the band let him play with the camera and magic happened.

 Now days little is known of Terry’s private life although he did show up recently for a gig riding a Yak and claiming to having just been abducted by little green men who go “squish” if you step on them too hard.

What is known for sure is that Terry is now known for his sober, depressing depiction of the quiet and dignified fans of the Bullfrog. 

Musical Note:  Terry is also a master carver of walking sticks and guitars.  You can see some of his work on his web site at:  http://www.oakforge.com.

  Holly Randahl

The original Bullfrog staff photographer, Holly has documented Bullfrog gigs since the  first one in July of 1999 and still manages to take pictures when her cohort, Terry, puts the camera down.  When not behind the lens, you may see Holly captured on the dance floor,  as one of Bullfrog's loyal dancers, helping incite the crowd to heights of fun!  Other  talents:  she has learned to watch soundless feature-length presentations on TV, every  Wednesday night when the band practices on.  A truly multi-faceted Bullfrog groupie!
 

Past Bullfrog Band Members

Ken "Mr. Guitar" Russell
(Guitar, vocals)
"Mr. Guitar" has been playing for 30 years. Born in St. Louis, Ken played professionally in a number of blues and rock bands in the St. Louis area before moving to Chicago. Unfortunately, Ken decided to retire from Bullfrog.  He has a growing family that demands more of his time - time that he has devoted to Bullfrog.  Ken, we'll miss you, buddy.

John "The Jammer" Ilkow
(Bass, harp, vocals)
 John has been playing bass, harp, and singing in bands for the past 15 years. A showman, "The Jammer" loves performing in front of packed houses. Previous bands have included Skyway, Johnny & The Ball Busters and Shakedown. 

John left the band in September of 2000.






 

Honorary Bullfrog Band Members

Mark "Boots" Randolph

(Guitar)

Mark heads his own jazz group - The Buddy Love Trio - which plays in the Chicago area.  Originally a drummer, Mark picked up guitar about 10 years ago and has been on the jazz path ever since. 

 
Dave "Dangerous Dave" Jenkins
(Bass, vocals)
Dangerous Dave's bass playing experiences have taken him from playing blues in The Lincoln Avenue Band to recording with Sound Medicine, a northern Wisconsin band.

 

Jeff Markunas

(Guitar)

Jeff "Master of the 'Caster" Markunas plays a mean guitar.  Born and raised in southern Tennessee, (I'm making all of this up now!), Jeff carved his first guitar from a downed swamp oak.  Taking two years to make the guitar he finally found that the tuning machines he carved wouldn't work.  So he put the ho-made guitar down and bought himself a Telecaster, which he hasn't put down yet.  Fluent in both country and jazz, Jeff lends a fresh breath of air to Bullfrog.

Buddy Wiegelman

   (Bass, Guitar)

Buddy does it all - guitar, bass, drums, and does it well.  A professional musician and owner of Dr. Wood's Guitar Emporium in Fox River Grove, IL, he's played in many bands over the years.  His current band is Alex And The Allstars.  Check out their website at:  http://www.alexandtheallstars.com.

Dr. Woods Guitar Emporium

310 Lincoln Ave.

Fox River Grove, IL  60021

847-639-9683

Jack Warner

(Guitar)

Jack is a budding young guitarist.  He's working on his chords and will soon be delving into playing lead.  Here he's pictured with Bullfrog playing at the 15th Annual Chili Fest.

Ed Boyles

(Percussion, Keyboards)

     (photos not available)

Ed is a very talented musician playing not only drums, but also keyboards, guitar, and bass.  It's unknown just how many years that Ed's been playing, but it's a lot.  Ed filled in and played drums on Bullfrog's very first gig back in July of 1999.  Ed is also in a band called The Hat Guys.  Check 'em out!

Nicolle "Nikki Sticks" Beckman

(Percussion)

(Sorry, Nikki, I lost my only photo of you.)

Nicolle, a very talented drummer, has a BA in Music/Business from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.  In addition to heading her own band - Nikki Sticks & Twin Cylinder, she teaches percussion out of her home studio in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. If you're interested in taking lessons contact her via email at:  beckman@pensys.com.  Nikki is also active in community groups like the Elkhorn Holton Band. This group performs concert band music every Friday evening in Sunset Park during the summer. There's also a spectacular Christmas Concert held every year at the Sprague Theatre in Elkhorn.

Mike "Iron Mike" Nornberg

(Guitar, slide guitar)

Mike's a great guitar player.  From Wisconsin, he's headed many local bands including Working Stiff, Iron Mike, and the current Axe Grinder.  Check out Axe Grinder's website at:  http://www.axegrinder.us

         (Current picture not available)

Kurt "Sticks" Gillingurten
(Percussion)

Sticks has been playing drums for a few years now and is playing in his own band. He's a multi-instrumentalist - playing guitar. 
 

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