Throughout the month of July, Uniquely Milwaukee shined a well-deserved spotlight on the unsung heroes of our city: the loyal regulars who not only frequent our bars, restaurants and museums, but also play a vital role in keeping everything running smoothly.
This week, as we draw our series to a close, I sit down with Milwaukee's Gego y Nony — a duo best known throughout the city for the Reggaeton / Latin urban sound they bring to the stage. But they’re also extremely well-known at one particular location in Milwaukee: Oakland Gyros.
Gego y Nony’s musical journey is steeped in rich family history stretching back to their grandparents, who were talented percussionists performing for prominent salsa groups in Puerto Rico. But it took a life-changing event to bring the pair to Milwaukee.
Gego was born with conjoined fingers, a condition that required specialized medical attention. The family opted for a corrective procedure that ultimately led them to the city’s South Side, where they found solace and a warm welcome.
The same could be said about the East Side spot that became a cherished staple for the talented duo. Oakland Gyros, nestled on Oakland Avenue, was conveniently situated for Gego y Nony as they attended Riverside High School. For our captivating interview, they settled into a window booth and shared their heartfelt connection with the Milwaukee eatery, reminiscing about favorite moments that left a mark on their journey as musicians in the city’s rapidly growing Latin urban scene.
![Two men look at a diner menu mounted above the counter while another man in a work uniform take their order.](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/8dd8a70/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1920x1220+0+0/resize/880x559!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fa3%2Ff8%2F805ba0eb4bf9bbbbc2675dac8e7c%2Fgego-y-nony-oakland-gyros-2.png)
You can hear those experiences using the player at the top of the page or wherever you get your podcasts, and relive our full month of Milwaukee Regulars:
- July 4 — Our month of regulars starts behind the wheel
- July 11 — The regulars at Throttle Twisters, Milwaukee’s first Black biker bar
- July 18 — The serene, intense, infectious bingo nights at Knights of Columbus
- July 25 — Even regulars make new discoveries at Milwaukee Public Museum
- Aug. 1 — Oakland Gyros with Gego y Nony