In 1987 housemates Joe Hayes (drums) and Lee Eldridge (bass and vocals) were sitting around drinking a few beers and had a great idea. “Let’s put a band together!” After several auditions Bob Cross (guitar) and Curtis (guitar and vocals) joined the band. They named the band Penguins and began learning great classic rock tunes from the ’60s and ’70s. This version of the band didn’t play any official shows, but did sit in with the Lonnie Rays Blues Band at the Jazzhaus. After Curtis left the band the search was on for another guitarist and vocalist. The band found Chip Nietfeld (guitars and vocals) and Michael Gordon (vocals). Great guys and a perfect fit for the band. It was on!
By spring of 1988 the Penguins began playing shows. The band quickly developed a following in Lawrence, Manhattan, Topeka and Kansas City. But a couple more lineup changes were still to come. Michael and Joe left the band, and in came Jeff Murray to play drums. This lineup of Lee, Bob, Chip and Jeff became the core lineup that played together for the next few years.
From left to right: Lee Eldridge, Bob Cross, Chip Nietfeld, Jeff Murray behind Johnny’s in Lawrence, Kansas. Probably 1989.
This is also when the Penguins became known as The Tallest Band in Lawrence with Chip (6’6″), Bob (6’5″), Jeff (6’3″) and Lee (6′). A nickname that has lasted to this day.
In 1991 the band found itself going through another set of lineup changes. Bob had left the band to finish his engineering degree at KU. Another band from Lawrence, Broken Inglish, was also going through some lineup changes. After helping each other out filling in for a few gigs, Broken Penguins was formed out of the remaining members Lee, Chip, Mike Roberts, Billy Pilgrim and Craig Anderson. The original band Penguins was no more.
Until now. By 2022 both Bob and Chip had moved back to Lawrence after years away. Lee never left. The three began chatting. Music never far from their minds. And an idea was formed to put the band back together. Unfortunately both Joe and Jeff, the two previous Penguins drummers, were no longer in the area. The search began to complete the band. The Penguins have once again found the perfect fits with drummer Mike Lawrence and Lee’s long-time musical partner and vocalist Stacy Cordell. The rest is history.