One of Lincoln, Nebraska’s a first rocker; Pat Glenn adapted his
jazz and big-band style of piano playing to the sounds driving teens wild
in the mid-50 – Rock & Roll. Playing along-side such early Lincoln
rockers as Bobby Lowell, Joe Gray, Greg Bloom, and Jim Akin –
Glenn established himself as the leading “rock-a-boogie” keyboard
player and vocalist on the mid-50’s Lincoln rock scene.
He taught a young Jim Akin – a fine
guitarist featured on Lincoln’s
first rock record (Bobby Lowell’s
“Umm Baby”) – how to play piano.
Akin took those early lessons
to higher levels to become not only one of
Lincoln’s finest guitarists but
also keyboard players.
The Pat Glenn Band played every
Teen-Hop, nightclub and ballroom
in the Midwest through the late
50’s and Pat was an inspiration to many
young rockers wanting to break
into the wonderful world of rock & roll.
In the 70’s – Pat played keyboard
in the legendary “Big Twist &
The Mellow Fellows” out of Chicago
(later a recording artist
on leading blues label – Alligator
Records). That band still tours as
“The Chicago Rhythm & Blues
Kings” after the death of Big Twist.
Glenn performed for years in Lincoln
as both a single and in a band
at his own local restaurant-lounge
and recently tore up a packed house at the
legendary Zoo Bar in Lincoln, Nebraska.
The Nebraska Music Hall of Fame is
honored to induct this fine musician
into the Hall of Fame in
Lincoln, Nebraska on August 21,
1999.
