All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. The Versatones, which picked up a Grammy in 1987, played their last show on Dec. 31, 2011. 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. . ''For a community where 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. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. After hearing his style of the music they werent afraid of polka anymore. Make sure that the file is a photo. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. I found on Findagrave.com. His son led . At that time, he turned over responsibility for his band, The Versatones, to his son, Eddie Blazonczyk Jr. "[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. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. Thats why he was called the Polka King. He was the top guy.. Blazonczyk retired in 2001 after suffering a stroke, and his son took over his band, Eddie Blazonczyk and the Versatones. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. He was 70. As a teenager, Mr. Blazonczyk played in rock n roll bands and toured with Buddy Holly and Gene Vincent. Blkazonczyk won a Grammy in 1987 for Best Polka Recording for "Another Polka Celebration." Blazonczyk was known as the "Polka King" and started his own polka music label in the 1960s. Lenny LaCour, the owner of Lucky Four Records, encouraged Blazonczyk, at the age of 22, to specialize in polka music, rather than to continue as a rockabilly singer. Send a note, share a story or upload a photo. In an interview on Tuesday, Eddie Blazonczyk Jr. said he once asked his father why he gave up playing rock n roll and turned to polka. Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. She and their son Eddie Jr. survive him, as do another son, Anthony; a daughter, Katherine; and three grandchildren. Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? Share. 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 . (The polka category was eliminated in 2009.). He has been called "one of the most important figures in the creation of the contemporary Polish-American polka sound." To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. I was fortunate enough to perform as a Versatone from 1987-1994, and in that time I spent over 1000 nights with Eddie onstage. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). Blazonczyk retired in 2001 after suffering a stroke, and his son took over his band, Eddie Blazonczyk and the Versatones. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. Ridge Funeral Home. "After hearing his style of the music they weren't afraid of polka anymore. He was 70. In 1963 he started his label, Bel-Aire, and released the bands first album, Polka Parade; more than 60 albums followed. 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. 2023 SCI SHARED RESOURCES, LLC. 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 1963 he Share. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. Created with sketchtool. 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 70. It's time for saying goodbye\". Find an Obituary. After suffering a stroke in 2001, he retired and his son Eddie Blazonczyk Jr. led the band for another full a decade. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Blazonczyk's record label, Bel-Aire Recordings, says Blazonczyk died Monday, May 21, 2012, of natural causes at a hospital Palos Heights, Ill. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. EDDIE BLAZONCZYK OBITUARY. 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. This browser does not support getting your location. He was 70. May 24, 2012. During these years Richie Tokarz was the recipient of numerous awards for his talents as a musician and for his song writing ability. Many of his dozens of albums feature him singing in English on one side and perfectly enunciated Polish on the other. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. 1990 Returned with Eddie Blazonczyk. Obituaries Section Created with sketchtool. CANDLE HAS BEEN LIT CANDLES HAVE BEEN LIT, We are reviewing your submission. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. But polka was growing. He was 70. A system error has occurred. Family members linked to this person will appear here. 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. <p> The band consisted of a fiddler and concertina[10] player, two trumpeter/clarinetists, a drummer and Blazonczyk himself on vocals and electric bass. Cyril & Methodius Church, Lemont, Mass 11 a.m. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. 1 Polka Band." ). This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. "After hearing his style of the music they weren't afraid of polka anymore. His label, Bel-Aire Recordings, confirmed the death but did not disclose the cause. He retired after having a stroke in late 2001, and his son led the Versatones until disbanding it last year. Blazonczyk earned many accolades throughout his career. "[9], The Versatones played a mix of both traditional and original tunes, with Blazonczyk singing in both Polish and English. He was 70. It may take up to 1 hour for your comment to appear on the website, 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 nieces and nephews; special thanks to his caregiver Bronislawa Leciak. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. Eddie Blazonczyk, 70, Polka Singer and Bandleader, Dies, https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/25/arts/music/eddie-blazonczyk-70-polka-singer-and-bandleader-dies.html. Visit Homepage. 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 . With a warm tenor and a heavy hand on his electric bass, Mr. Blazonczyk (pronounced bluh-ZON-check) created Chicago push, a subgenre of the Polish polka style characterized by its rhythmic drive and the loud ''bellows shake'' of the started his label, Bel-Aire, and released the band's first album, ''Polka Parade''; more than 60 albums followed. He attracted so many people to the polka audience, whereas previously they were scared away by the word polka, Eddie Blazonczyk Jr. said. and maintained a mini-empire of polka in Chicago, including a record label, a recording studio, a retail store and a music school. Some of his biggest hits include Angeline Be Mine Polka and Poor Boy Polka.. 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. Mr. Blazonczyk retired in 2001 after suffering a stroke, and his son Eddie Blazonczyk Jr. took over his band, Eddie Blazonczyk and the Versatones. The band formed in 1962, after Blazonczyks brief venture into pop music that landed him on Dick Clarks American Bandstand, and toured the U.S., Canada and parts of Europe. He met his wife, the former Christine Zielinski, known as Tish, at a polka dance in 1962. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. Jerry Tokarz, Ed Wolinski, Jim Sierzega, Eddie Blazonczyk, Rich Tokarz & Jerry Darlak - The Versatones In Memory Of Edward Eddie A. Blazonczyk Sr. Sign up for service and obituary updates. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. By Ben Sisario. Blazonczyk was born to Polish immigrant parents on July 12, 1941, in Chicago. His parents operated music clubs in the city and he started playing in the 1950s with "Happy Eddie and his Polka . Visitation Wednesday and Thursday 3 to 9 p.m. (708) 301-3595 or www.modellfh.com. If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. 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. Drag images here or select from your computer for Eddie Blazonczyk Sr. memorial. Eddie Blazonczyk Sr. 1941-2012. Try again later. In 1962, he formed his polka band The Versatones and released their first album, "Polka Parade" on his own Bel-Aire Label. 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 . Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. [3], "Eddie Blazonczyk, 70, Polka Singer and Bandleader, Dies", Chicagoan Eddie Blazonczyk Sr. spread polka around the globe, Legendary Chicago-based polka band comes to an end, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Eddie_Blazonczyk&oldid=1068135265, This page was last edited on 26 January 2022, at 20:33. 2023 SCI SHARED RESOURCES, LLC. There is a problem with your email/password. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? Listen to Hour 1; Listen to Hour 2; View Show Playlist I thought you might like to see a memorial for Eddie Blazonczyk Sr. There was a problem getting your location. 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. Let others know about your loved one's death. Send flowers or a gift to a service or family's home. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. The Versatones, which picked up a Grammy in 1987, played their last show on Dec. 31, 2011. He was 70. Blazonczyk Sr. was 70 and had retired after suffering a stroke in 2001. But by the early 1960s, he had begun to move away from rock. You can always change this later in your Account settings. 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. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. He was 70. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. Blazonczyk retired in 2001 after suffering a stroke, and his son took over his band, Eddie Blazonczyk and the Versatones. For a time, Blazonczyk performed pop music with Mercury Records as Eddie Bell and the Bel-Aires, when he appeared on American Bandstand. But he returned to polka in 1962, forming the Versatones and going on tour. There was an error deleting this problem. EDDIE BLAZONCZYK OBITUARY. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. Leave a memory or share a photo or video below to show your support. NOTE: Special thanks to the Blazonczyk Family, and Polka fans everywhere for sharing your photos! To use this feature, use a newer browser. CHICAGO (AP) - Grammy Award-winning polka great Eddie Blazonczyk, who began playing the lively music in the 1950s and went on to earn . Then, five years ago last month, Blazonczyk suffered a stroke that affected his left side. Blazonczyk retired in 2001 after suffering a stroke, and his son took over his band, Eddie Blazonczyk and the Versatones. 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 . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Rest in Peace my friend. Yet Mr. Blazonczyk was also devoted to Polish musical customs. But he returned to polka in 1962, forming the Versatones and going on tour. He was 70. Try again later. Try again. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. He was named a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellow in 1998. Thanks for your help! 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