In 1958, seven boys who lived on 25th Avenue and 26th & Cumming Streets, in Omaha , Nebraska , decided it would be fun to form a band together. They practiced in the Harrolds basement after school and on weekends until they thought they were good enough to play in public.
Walter Harrold, Sr., Austin's and Bruce's father, who was a drummer himself, was instrumental in getting them a, gig, at the Elks Lodge on 24th And Lake Streets. His band was performing there at the time and he convinced the Elks Lodge that the boys were good enough to perform.
On the way to the Elks Lodge, the boys realized that in their excitement, they did not have a name for their band. After brainstorming, they decided that there were seven members of the band, so they would name themselves after the Seven Wonders of the World
The Seven Wonders consisted of two families, except for two members.
The Rich family consisted of Bobby, who was the
vocalist; Herbie, who played piano, and was the music director while being able to play most any instrument he got his hands on;
And Little Wizard, Billy Rich, who played the double-necked guitar.
He was featured because he was so talented at such a young age.
The Harrold family members were; Austin, who played the Congo and bongo drums, and Edward (Bruce), who played the drum set. The remaining members were David Goodwin, who played guitar, and Rudy Baker, who also played the Congo and bongo drums.
After playing at the Elks, they were invited to play at numerous nightclubs in the Omaha area. Of course, their ages required chaperones whenever they played those establishments.
When the Seven Wonders began, Bobbie and Austin were 16, Bruce and Rudy were 15, David and Herbie were 14, and Billy was 9 years of age.
They were invited to play in surrounding areas in Nebraska , and Iowa .
Private high school parties, church skating parties, and in several Nightclubs. As their popularity grew, they continued performing. Some of the members performed at separate functions.
They were most well-known for their performances at the Show Wagons, which were sponsored by the Omaha World Herald. The Show Wagon was a talent show 
which was performed on Summer nights at different parks throughout the city of Omaha . Each week, at the end of the performances, a winner was announced. The Seven Wonders won weekly, that is, until the finals. They placed second to a dance group.
When Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon was televised in Omaha , the Seven Wonders played on national television for the first time. They were so excited that they were willing to brave cold weather and enough snow to close many of the side streets.
Their enthusiasm and determination must have been what got them to the Orpheum theater where the telethon was being televised. The group also appeared on local TV with a guest appearance at KMTV Channel 3.
The Seven Wonders disbanded in 1960, after part of the group graduated from Central High school ; In 1960 Austin left for Lane College in Jackson Tennessee, where he received his B.A. Degree in response to his call into the ministry. While at Lane College , Austin was very active in the civil rights movement including participation in the civil rights sit-ins in the South. Later, while earning his B.D. Degrees in Theology and Masters of Divinity in Atlanta Georgia, Austin continued to participated in the Civil Rights movements, including marching with the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Throughout the South. He participated in the historic march from Selma to Montgomery. He became a Bishop, and he and his wife, Gussie, reside in Jersey City, New Jersey, in close proximity to his three children, and seven grandchildren.
Bruce Harrold played with different bands in Omaha until 1962. As an Air Traffic Controller in the United States Air Force, he continued playing drums with different bands where he was stationed.
He last played in Alaska in 1966. After his tour of duty in the Air Force, he became a Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff and moved to Santa Clarita, California, along with his wife, Connie, and his four children. After 20 years, he retired from the Sheriff?s Department, and became a computer technician before his final retirement. While working as a deputy sheriff, Bruce attended college and was named to the President's List for Academic Achievement in 1975. He graduated College of the Canyons in 1976. They reside in Santa Clarita, California.
Bobby Rich joined the United States Army and after completing his tour of duty, he joined the Omaha Police Department. He now resides in Colorado .
Billy Rich is continuing his career playing with different groups, and touring the United States as well as various countries.
David Goodwin passed away a couple of years ago. His Marriage to Mary produced 5 boys. He worked as a Forman for Trans-Con Trucking Company for about 3 years, before he opened up his own barbershop in Bellevue, Nebraska, called Hair Command. One of his boys is now running the shop.
Rudy Baker pasted away last year in 2006. He married twice. His first wife was Debbie, with whom he had one girl, and his second wife was Cynthia. They were together for over thirty years and had three children; two boys and a girl. Rudu worked for Trans-Con Trucking Company until he retired.
Herbie had an illustrious musical career until his death.
Both Billy and Herbie were individually honored by being inducted into the Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame in 2005.
