Chicago native, Mike Szymanski (Mike Ski–PT–the Polish Tornado) was first introduced to the drums at the age of 4 when Santa brought him a kit for Christmas, although legend has it that he may have been mesmerized by his mother’s heart beat in the womb since he wasn’t crying when he was born.

Is the Polish Tornado eating a brownie or contemplating his first drum solo? His sister, Amie (left), who would always support Mike’s entertainment career, reaches for a drum stick.

PT’s mother, Gloria, instilled in him a love of music; as he was growing up, she would play 8-track tapes in the basement of their home for Mike and Amie on what she referred to as “rock n’ roll weekends”. Their mother recalls playing classic rock greats such as Led Zeppelin and Jethro Tull. PT also remembers a Black Sabbath tape. He enjoyed listening to them until the machine chewed them up due to their old age.

Gloria would also spin her 45s and LPs for her two children at the time.

(PT recently perused his mother’s 45s that she still had in the basement, and he concluded she did have good taste in music; her eclectic collection (composed of more than just classic rock) included the following artists: Manfred Mann, CCR, Janis Joplin, The Beatles, Chicago, Doors, The Beach Boys, The Rolling Stones, The Troggs, Jefferson Airplane, Donovan, The Hollies, Blues Magoos, Bob Dylan, Strawberry Alarm Clock, The Cascades, The Monkees, Harry Chapin, Van Morrison, The Lovin’ Spoonful, Simon and Garfunkel, The Everly Brothers, Elvis Presley, The Byrds, Santana, The Grass Roots, Johnny Rivers, Joe Cocker, The Bee Gees, Mitch Ryder, Kenny Rogers, and many more!)

One of the Polish Tornado’s favorite records of his mother’s collection that he would listen to frequently in his childhood was “Beep Beep” by The Playmates. This song accelerates as the song progresses and may explain why PT always desires to push the tempo when he plays. Don’t be mistaken. The Polish Tornado can play solid time, but he always wants to take the performance to the next level and the band to the brink.

The Polish Tornado also recalls enjoying listening to Kenny Loggin’s “Welcome to Heartlight”, “The Safety Dance” by Men Without Hats, and’ “I Love Rock and Roll” by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts from the ’80s as he was growing up.

Mike Szymanski (Mike Ski–PT–the Polish Tornado) was also influenced by his father, George. George would usually hum and croon while moving around the house, and he would often play the accordion for his family and their friends on the 4th of July.