Inducted 2026
The Suburbs, 1984. Chan on right
Chandler “Chan” Poling, born 1957 in Evanston, Illinois, is a Twin Cities-based singer, pianist, and composer best known as the leader of the Minneapolis punk/New Wave band The Suburbs. He has also composed for musical theater and collaborated with various artists, while his work includes notable projects like the musical Glensheen and the band The New Standards.
Early Life and Education
Chan moved to Minnesota in 1961. Poling studied composition at the MacPhail Center for Music and later at the California Institute of the Arts under composer Harold Budd.
Music Career
Poling is best known as the leader of the Minneapolis punk/New Wave band The Suburbs, which he co-founded in 1977. The band gained recognition for their contributions to the “Minneapolis Sound” and released several albums through major labels. In 2005, he formed The New Standards, a jazz trio that interprets a variety of songs.
Musical Theater and Composition
In addition to his work in rock music, Poling has composed for musical theater, including award-winning pieces for Theatre de la Jeune Lune. His notable works include the musical Glensheen and the score for the documentary Iron Range: A People’s History, which won an Emmy Award.
Personal Life
Poling was married to Eleanor Mondale, daughter of former United States Vice President Walter Mondale, until her passing in 2011. He has three children and currently resides in Saint Paul, Minnesota, with his partner Patty Radford-Henderson.