Ruth Adams and the World's Most Dangerous Polka Band are a senior citizen polka duet who use a rotation of four different drummers. Adams founded the group in 1974, with Joe Hayden joining in 1996. They received national attention when they appeared on the short-lived Comedy Central series Let's Bowl.
The group consists of Adams on accordion, accompanied by Hayden on trumpet and lead vocals, with the rotation of drummers using a simple snare drum and high-hat percussion setup. Al Ophus was the full-time percussionist until his death in 2003 at the age of 88. His drums are now on display at the Minnesota Historical Society.
According to the band's website, they play "a mix of Polkas, Waltz's, Foxtrots, Country, Latin, and a little Dixieland." During their Let's Bowl appearances, Adams and company played suggestive polka tunes like "She Smoked My Cigar" and "I Told Her No".
They got their start, and still play every Friday and Saturday, at Nye's Polonaise (better known as Nye's Polka Lounge) in northeast Minneapolis.
Ruth Adams died March 18, 2011 at Hennepin County Medical Center after a battle with cancer.
Famous quotes containing the words adams, world, dangerous and/or band:
“A friend in power is a friend lost.”
—Henry Brooks Adams (1838–1918)
“The love between man and woman is the greatest and most complete passion the world will ever see, because it is dual, because it is of two opposing kinds.”
—D.H. (David Herbert)
“It is dangerous to leave written that which is badly written. A chance word, upon paper, may destroy the world. Watch carefully and erase, while the power is still yours, I say to myself, for all that is put down, once it escapes, may rot its way into a thousand minds, the corn become a black smut, and all libraries, of necessity, be burned to the ground as a consequence. Only one answer: write carelessly so that nothing that is not green will survive.”
—William Carlos Williams (1883–1963)
“The band waked me with a serenade. How they improve! A fine band and what a life in a regiment! Their music is better than food and clothing to give spirit to the men.”
—Rutherford Birchard Hayes (1822–1893)