Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? He was the top guy.". Failed to remove flower. Thats why he was called the Polka King. He was the top guy.. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. 2023 SCI SHARED RESOURCES, LLC. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. He was 70. 1985 Member of Lenny Gomulka & Chicago Push. He retired after having a stroke in late 2001, and his son led the Versatones until disbanding it last year. This browser does not support getting your location. Review. She and their son Eddie Jr. survive him, as do another son, Anthony; a daughter, Katherine; and three grandchildren. As a teenager, Mr. Blazonczyk played in rock 'n' roll bands and toured with Buddy Holly and Gene Vincent. BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. (CBS) -- Eddie Blazonczyk, the man known as Chicago's polka king, has died at the age of 70. Try again. CANDLE HAS BEEN LIT CANDLES HAVE BEEN LIT, We are reviewing your submission. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. For decades, his group was unchallenged as America's number 1 polka band by the International Polka Association and he was inducted into the Polka Music Hall of Fame. His music rocks, it rolls, it hops, it pushes. Among his signature songs were ''Angeline Be Mine Polka'' and ''Polka Hero. CHICAGO (AP) - Grammy Award-winning polka great Eddie Blazonczyk, who began playing the lively music in the 1950s and went on to earn the nickname "Polka King" after starting his own band and label, has died. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). This is a carousel with slides. By the time Mr. Blazonczyk began his career, it was receding from the mainstream, but the music, and the social rituals surrounding The International Polka Association said on its Web site that Eddie Blazonczyk and the Versatones was unchallenged in its height as Americas No. The band formed in 1962, after Blazonczyk's brief venture into pop music that landed him on Dick Clark's "American Bandstand," and toured the U.S., Canada and parts of Europe. Cyril & Methodius Church, Lemont, Mass 11 a.m. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. Blkazonczyk won a Grammy in 1987 for Best Polka Recording for "Another Polka Celebration." Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. When I got back to Chicago, I saw the crowds coming out for Marion Lush and Li'l Wally, But polka was growing. was a big force for what it means to be Polish in America.''. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. CHICAGO (AP) - Grammy Award-winning polka great Eddie Blazonczyk, who began playing the lively music in the 1950s and went on to earn the nickname "Polka King" after starting his own band and label, has died. Search above to list available cemeteries. He has been called "one of the most important figures in the creation of the contemporary Polish-American polka sound." He was also named a National Heritage Fellow by the National Endowment for the Arts in 1998. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. Failed to report flower. From breaking news to special features and documentaries, the NewsdayTV team is covering the issues that matter to you. EDDIE BLAZONCZYK OBITUARY. He was a recipient of the 1998 National Heritage Fellowship awarded by the National Endowment for the Arts, which is the highest honor in the folk and traditional arts in the United States. No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. (Khue Bui/AP). Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? He was inducted into the International Polka Hall of Fame in 1970, and was a 1998 National Heritage Fellowship recipient. His parents, who were Polish immigrants, owned the Pulaski Ballroom, where young Edward saw Marion Lush, Walter Jagiello (known as Li'l Wally) and other leading polka acts of the day. His parents operated music clubs in the city and he started playing in the 1950s with "Happy Eddie and his Polka Jesters," performing at Polish festivities. In 1998, he received one the country's most prestigious cultural honors, a National Endowment for the Arts Heritage Fellowship, presented by then First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton at the White House. The band formed in 1962, after Blazonczyk's brief venture into pop music that landed him on Dick Clark's "American Bandstand," and toured the U.S., Canada and parts of Europe. He won a Grammy Award, kept a vigorous touring schedule and maintained a mini-empire of polka in Chicago, including a record label, a recording studio, a retail store and a music school. In this Oct. 6, 1998 file photo, first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton shakes hands with Eddie Blazonczyk at the White House where she presented him with a National Endowment for the Arts 1998 National Heritage Fellowship award. He was 70. He was inducted into the International Polka Hall of Fame in 1970,[2] and was a 1998 National Heritage Fellowship recipient. Blazonczyk earned many accolades throughout his career. They knew it was an evolution of the music.". Drag images here or select from your computer for Eddie Blazonczyk Sr. memorial. 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Please reset your password. He was named a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellow in 1998. was born to Polish immigrant parents on July 12, 1941, in Chicago, Mr. Blazonczyk was named a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellow in 1998, Mr. Blazonczyk was a member of the associations Polka Music Hall of Fame. "He was very good at what he did," said Dave Ulczycki, president of the International Polka Association. The association said on its website that Eddie Blazonczyk and the Versatones was "unchallenged in its height as America's No. In 1962, he formed his polka band The Versatones and released their first album, "Polka Parade" on his own Bel-Aire Label. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. Grief Support. Please try again later. Mr. Blazonczyk was born on July 12, 1941, in Chicago. PHOTO: Eddie Blazonczyk in 1986, the year before he won a Grammy. Learn more about managing a memorial . Let others know about your loved one's death. Sympathy Ideas. There was an error deleting this problem. Created with sketchtool. He was 70. Keep supporting great journalism by turning off your ad blocker. Eddie Blazonczyk, a polka singer and bandleader who led bouncing, swaying, beer-hoisting dances for generations of Americans as one of that small genre's biggest . Yet Mr. Blazonczyk was also devoted to Polish musical customs. Eddie Blazonczyk, Sr. (July 12, 1941 - May 21, 2012) was a Grammy award-winning polka musician and founder of the band The Versatones. Polka had a moment of broad popularity in the postwar years, when musicians like Frank Yankovic had million-selling hits. and I wanted to try my hand at that.''. He was 70. Year should not be greater than current year. . Tyler Morning Telegraph. After suffering a stroke in 2001, he retired and his son Eddie Blazonczyk Jr. led the band for another full a decade. He was 70. He was a big force for what it means to be Polish in America.. He was 70. Your entry has exceeded the maximum character limit. Blazonczyk Sr. was 70 and had retired after suffering a stroke in 2001. Let others know about your loved one's death. His son led . Try again later. CHICAGO (AP) - Grammy Award-winning polka great Eddie Blazonczyk, who began playing the lively music in the 1950s and went on to earn the nickname "Polka King" after starting his own band and label, has died. CHICAGO -- Grammy Award-winning polka great Eddie Blazonczyk, who began playing the lively music in the 1950s and went on to earn the nickname "Polka King" after starting his own band and label, has died. The band toured widely, and through his label, his store, two radio shows and other activities, he was a constant presence in the polka world. The horn riffs in and out and around in intricate patterns that . The Versatones, which picked up a Grammy in 1987, played their last show on Dec. 31, 2011. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. Thanks for your help! Failed to delete memorial. ''There was hardly any pay. For a time, Mr. Blazonczyk performed pop music with Mercury Records and appeared on American Bandstand. But he returned to polka in 1962, forming the Versatones and going on tour. He was 70. By Ben Sisario. Mr. Blazonczyk was named a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellow in 1998. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. Anyone can read what you share. Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? Help tell the story of your loved ones unique life. The band toured widely, and through his label, his store, two radio shows and other activities, he was a constant presence in the polka world. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. Eddie Blazonczyk in 1986, the year before he won a Grammy. accordion. Eddie Blazonczyk, a polka singer and bandleader who led bouncing, swaying, beer-hoisting dances for generations of Americans as one of that small genres biggest fish, died on Monday in Palos Heights, Ill. Palos Heights, Cook County, Illinois, USA. You can always change this later in your Account settings. Before becoming a polka artist he was a rock-a-billy instrumentalist who preferred to play bass and sing, recording for Mecury Records as Eddie Bell and the Bel-Aires in the 1950s. Blazonczyk was known as the "Polka King" and started his own polka music label in the 1960s. With a musical landscape that stretches from Eddie Blazonczyk's Versatones to R. Kelly, one can only imagine the musical creativity that will burst forth if the Hawks continue their upward . Jerry Tokarz, Ed Wolinski, Jim Sierzega, Eddie Blazonczyk, Rich Tokarz & Jerry Darlak - The Versatones I cannot thank him enough for all th. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. For a communitywhere polka is an important part of their traditional heritage, he maintained it, promoted it, gave it a voice, Jim Bessman, a music journalist and longtime polka aficionado, said of Mr. Blazonczyk. They knew it wasnt Shes Too Fat For Me or Roll Out the Barrel. They knew it was an evolution of the music.. "[8], He is credited with inventing the rhythmic polka subgenre known as "Chicago push,"[5] although ironically the name given to the style comes from bands who came after and were inspired by Blazonczyk, notably the Chicago Push. In 1963 he The band formed in 1962, after Blazonczyk's brief venture into pop music that landed him on Dick Clark's "American Bandstand," and toured the U.S., Canada and parts of Europe. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. He was 70. Visitation Wednesday and Thursday 3 to 9 p.m. (708) 301-3595 or www.modellfh.com. CHICAGO (AP) - Grammy Award-winning polka great Eddie Blazonczyk, who began playing the lively music in the 1950s and went on to earn the nickname "Polka King" after starting his own band and label, has died. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. I had what I refer to as \"the best seat in the house\"! His label, Bel-Aire Recordings, confirmed the death but did not disclose the cause. His parents operated music clubs in the city and he started playing in the 1950s with Happy Eddie and his Polka Jesters, performing at Polish festivities. Help tell the story of your loved ones unique life. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. Oops, we were unable to send the email. May 24, 2012. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. In the world of polka -- invisible to many Americans but a steady cultural presence in parts of the Midwest and elsewhere -- Mr. Blazonczyk was one of the few figures to find a national audience. Blazonczyk Sr. died Monday morning of natural causes in Palos Community Hospital in Palos Heights, said his son. Cyril & Methodius Church, Lemont, Mass 11 a.m. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. After hearing his style of the music they werent afraid of polka anymore. Learn more about merges. His son said many friends have been sending him condolence messages since learning of his fathers death. Blazonczyk's record label, Bel-Aire Recordings, says Blazonczyk died Monday, May 21, 2012, of natural causes at a hospital Palos Heights, Ill. Edward A. Blazonczyk Sr., 70, beloved husband of Christine "Tish" nee Zielinski; loving father of Katherine, Edward Jr. (Cheryl) and Anthony (Rena); cherished grandfather of Cayle, Anya and Anthony Jr.; dearest brother of Louise (the . Blazonczyk was born to Polish immigrant parents on July 12, 1941, in Chicago. Edward A. Blazonczyk Sr., 70, beloved husband of Christine "Tish" nee Zielinski; loving father of Katherine, Edward Jr. (Cheryl) and Anthony (Rena); cherished grandfather of Cayle, Anya and Anthony Jr.; dearest brother of Louise (the late Alfred) Kurek; proud uncle of many . He was 70. He won a Grammy in 1987 for his album Another Polka Celebration, tying that year with Jimmy Sturr, who has won the prize 18 times. He was born in Chicago to Polish immigrant . Send flowers or a gift to a service or family's home. But by the early 1960s, he had begun to move away from rock. 1990 Returned with Eddie Blazonczyk. Try again later. He was 70. In the world of polka invisible to many Americans but a steady cultural presence in parts of the Midwest and elsewhere Mr. Blazonczyk was one of the few figures to find a national audience. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. This recording is still occasionally heard around Halloween and is highly sought by record collectors. It's time for saying goodbye\". Try again later. Privacy Policy |Terms of service |Subscription terms |Your ad choices |Cookie Settings |California Privacy Rights |About Us |Contact Newsday |Reprints & permissions |Advertise with Newsday |Help. Submit an Obit. Your entry has exceeded the maximum character limit. This site is provided as a service of SCI Shared Resources, LLC. 1 Polka Band. Blazonczyk was a member of the associations Polka Music Hall of Fame. He was 70. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? "[4] He released more than 60 albums. A Member of Lenny Gomulka & amp ; Chicago Push more detail Edit. 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