Gordy “Crazyfingers” Lindquist was born on Nov. 20, 1937, as the 10th child of Albert and Anna Lindquist. He grew up on a farm southwest of Max in McLean County.
After graduating Max High School in 1955, Lindquist attended and graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music. He started his teaching career in music in his hometown, teaching at Max High School from 1959 to 1963. During this time, Lindquist also obtained his Master of Arts degree in music from Colorado State College at Greeley.
He continued his career as a music teacher in Westhope from 1963 to 1968 before he accepted a position in Santa Cruz, California. He then taught at Aptos High School from 1968 to 1972.
In the fall of 1972, Lindquist accepted a teaching position at Dakota College in Bottineau and was a music professor there for 34 years. He retired in 2006 after spending 47 years teaching music education. He now lives in Bottineau when he isn’t performing.
Lindquist’s music career began when he was five years old when he began playing piano and became fascinated with the keyboard. He studied with Edna Bohney in Max and was always grateful to her for her excellent early year training in piano. Lindquist’s mom, dad and nine older siblings encouraged him very much from a young age. The piano became Lindquist’s best friend and would open up opportunities of a lifetime.
The 4-H program helped him gain self-confidence through his participation in 4-H talent shows. His first solo ever performed in public was “The Funny Little Bunny” in 1948 at the Max School P.T.A. meeting.
Lindquist joined the Joe Alme Band in 1984. The band backed up performers such as George Burns, Bob Hope, Red Skeleton, Myron Floren and many Lawrence Welk stars.