Peter Peters

Peter Peters AKA The Peters Brothers, grew up on the south side of Milwaukee Wisconsin and this is where it all started at his dad's tavern on S. 16th and Grant St., Pete's Tavern. Weekends were popular with Fish Fry on Fridays and Chicken Fry on Saturdays and along with that, Peter Jr. began to sing and dance to music from the jukebox. His dad's tavern was full with customers who heard him sing and dance. Customers showed their appreciation by tossing coins (nickels, dimes and quarters) on the floor for his entertainment effort. This continued to be a weekend ritual every Friday and Saturday. After liking what he did on weekends, he continued to be more aggressive with his talent. His parents, Peter and Stella Piotrowski, picked up on what was happening and that's when he started getting into amateur night competition. He appeared on Major Bowes amateur night at the Riverside Theater in downtown Milwaukee. The first time he appeared on the stage in front of over 2,000 people and he did very well. He won first prize which was a silver cup on May 8, 1939. That started him into getting involved and going to Morris B. Sachs and Rubin's radio show in Chicago, Illinois. He did very well in winning a watch in both places with an inscription on the back. From there he went on to New York Worlds Fair in 1939 and he appeared on the CBS Major Bowes Radio Show after which he had an 8 by 10 photograph taken with Mr. Bowes. His fond memory was walking up a flight of not more than 5 to 10 stairs to the CBS entrance. As the door opened, two males walked out and he was face to face with the first male who was Al Jolson. While Peter Jr. and his family were at the Fair, his brother Ronnie joined Peter Jr. in being televised at the Television Demonstration in the Westinghouse Exhibit in a soundproof room. They both received a certificate denoting that they both appeared on the first introduction of television in New York. They returned home and continued to perform at his Dad's tavern and his brother Ronnie decided to get into the act. This was the beginning of The Piotrowski Brothers, which they changed to The Peters Brothers as their stage name. Now Peter Jr. and Ronnie were a team called the Peters Brothers. They appeared at the Monday night Riverside Theater Amateur Hour and they had no trouble winning first prize at all. They appeared several more times at the Riverside Theater because they were developing more to their song and dance act. Having no problem winning first prize, as usual, they were approached by a local agent who liked what he saw. After they won first prize again, they were interviewed by the Master of Ceremonies on stage, inquiring of their background. Peter Jr. told the Master of Ceremonies that his Dad had a tavern on the south side of Milwaukee. After that his Dad's tavern was standing room only every weekend with people who had seen them at the Riverside. Also they were approached by a Milwaukee local agent who was interested in booking them for club dates in and around Milwaukee. In short, they appeared for several months at the Elks Club, the Rotary Club, the Moose Club, Milwaukee Athletic Club and many conventions held at the Schroeder Hotel on 5th and Wisconsin (pharmaceutical, etc.). Appearing at the Milwaukee Athletic Club for 50th wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs.Wabiszewski, invited guests included Wisconsin Governor, Julius Heil; Mayor of Milwaukee, Carl F. Zeidler; Milwaukee County Sheriff Shinners who presented them two deputy badges, and from all of these VIP's they received letters of recommendation to open doors for them when they go to Hollywood, California. After performing for Mr. and Mrs., Wabiszewski, they were greeted with a standing ovation. They finished the show with Mayor Carl F. Zeidler coming off the podium, getting in between Ronnie and Peter Jr. and they sang God Bless America with the audience singing with them, the last chorus together, with a standing ovation. Mr. Mayor Carl F Zeidler, who had a very good voice, would always sing God Bless America at every opportunity. C. Clifford Burmek, who then became their local manager, stated they would be going to Hollywood, California to get into the movies. After their farewell appearance at the Modjeska Theater on Mitchell Street, they were off to Hollywood, California. Arriving in Hollywood, their local manager called several of his contacts to get them visibility. While there The Peters Brothers appeared at several well known places. They appeared at Ciro's Nightclub on Sunset Blvd.; being underage they came in through the kitchen back door, performed with great results and exited the same way they came in. They also appeared at Niles Thor Granlund (N.T.G) Florentine Gardens at 5955 Hollywood Blvd. They made appearances at The Cocoanut Grove inside the Ambassador hotel in Los Angeles. They appeared at the famed Hollywood Masquers Club for Jack Benny's testimonial. Alan Mowbray was president of Masquers Club whose motto: We Laugh to Win. In the valley they appeared at Charlie Foy's supper club where such stars as Alice Faye, Phil Harris and Lou Costello etc. always frequented. Their next appearance was the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Los Angeles. After that show, a gentleman, Mr. Art Rush came backstage and said he would like to help them. Mr. Art Rush spoke to their parents and told them that the contract they had with their local Milwaukee Manager was no good in the State of California. The Peters Brothers mother and dad did not feel they would care to drop him because he had done so much for them up till this point. Several days later, Rush called them and said they had an audition at Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM) studios. At MGM they were taken to a sound stage and it just so happened that the studio orchestra under direction of musical conductor, Georgie Stoll was finishing recording. With that large of an orchestra (75-100 pieces) they were ready. Going through their act 8 times and the 9th time they did their act for Ida Koverman, who was Louie B. Mayer's executive secretary. After finishing their routine, Koverman stood up and said they were great and had to call Mr. Mayer. On the phone, she said Louie, you have to come down to see this, now. Five minutes later, Mayer arrived and sat down in his chair and they did their act for the 10th and last time. Upon finishing, Mr. Mayer walked up in between them, put his arms around their shoulders and asked Ronnie, what is the most you want out of life? Ronnie without hesitation said all he wants is a bicycle. Mr. Mayer laughed as everyone else did then said Ronnie not right now but in due time you will have all the bicycles you want. Now being a part of the MGM family, they appeared for a dine and dance program at the Deauville Club on July 19, 1941. Several days later, a long limo arrives at their residence to take them to the court house in downtown LA to sign a 7 year contract with options. The judge explains details also mentioning a 7 year contract with options at $250.00 a week. Now suddenly, their Milwaukee manager gets up and complains loudly saying he can not live on $250.00 a week. Continuing his outburst, the MGM people decided on shorter term contract at $250.00 a week and that ended their court proceedings. Now Rush, their Hollywood manager who opened doors for them at MGM and thought so highly of their family, was disappointed. Several days later he became their former manager. They never realized the background of Rush who was the personal manager of Roy Rodgers, Dale Evans, Nelson Eddy and several other well known stars. The Peters Brothers did succeed in Hollywood and it took less than 1 year.