[3] He has been called "one of the most important figures in the creation of the contemporary Polish-American polka sound. BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. (CBS) -- Eddie Blazonczyk, the man known as Chicago's polka king, has died at the age of 70. 1994 With Lenny Gomulka Band to his passing in 2014. Find an Obituary. based on information from your browser. He was 70. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. The association said on its website that Eddie Blazonczyk and the Versatones was "unchallenged in its height as America's No. Blazonczyk was known as the "Polka . 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. cemeteries found in Justice, Cook County, Illinois, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Copyright 2023 Newsday. "[4] He released more than 60 albums. The Dignity Memorial brand name is used to identify a network of licensed funeral, cremation and cemetery providers that include affiliates of Service Corporation International, 1929 Allen Parkway, Houston, Texas. He attracted so many people to the polka audience, whereas previously they were scared away by the word polka, Eddie Blazonczyk Jr. said. He was very good at what he did, said Dave Ulczycki, president of the International Polka Association. 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. Grief Support. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. As a teenager, Mr. Blazonczyk played in rock n roll bands and toured with Buddy Holly and Gene Vincent. [5], Eddie Blazonczyk was born in Chicago, Illinois to Polish immigrant parents[6] of Goral heritage. GRAMMY-winning polka artist Eddie Blazonczyk Sr. died May 22. 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. Mr. Blazonczyk played many instruments but preferred the bass, and he sang lyrics in both English and Polish. Send a note, share a story or upload a photo. '', The sound had traces of rock, left over from Mr. Blazonczyk's days in the early 1960s recording rockabilly under the name Eddy Bell, for Mercury and other labels. ''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. By Ben Sisario. Visit Homepage. EDDIE BLAZONCZYK OBITUARY. EDDIE BLAZONCZYK OBITUARY. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. Blazonczyk earned many accolades throughout his career. Created with sketchtool. He joined the Versatones, so named because of their versatility. 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. Your entry has exceeded the maximum character limit. His music rocks, it rolls, it hops, it pushes. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. [7] The records he made for these labels were rockabilly sides, and novelty songs. He met his wife, the former Christine Zielinski, known as Tish, at a polka dance in 1962. 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. Review. His record label, Bel-Aire Recordings, and his son, Eddie Blazonczyk Jr., said Tuesday that Blazonczyk died of natural causes Monday at a hospital in the Chicago suburb of Palos Heights. 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 . He was 70. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. On our Father's Day show we'll talk with musical fathers & sons: polka kings Eddie Blazonczyk Jr. & Sr., and blues greats Tabby Thomas & Chris Thomas King. "After hearing his style of the music they weren't afraid of polka anymore. Learn more about managing a memorial . This is a carousel with slides. We invite you to use our commenting platform to engage in insightful conversations about issues in our community. 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. Ridge Funeral Home. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. Let others know about your loved one's death. He died of complications from a stroke two months shy of his 71st birthday. 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 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. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. His parents, who were Polish immigrants, owned the Pulaski Ballroom, where young Edward saw Marion Lush, Walter Jagiello (known as Lil Wally) and other leading polka acts of the day. Blazonczyk's record label, Bel-Aire Recordings, says Blazonczyk died Monday, May 21, 2012, of natural causes at a hospital Palos Heights, Ill. Visitation will take place on Wednesday, May 23rd and Thursday, May 24th from 3-9pm Chicago Time . This recording is still occasionally heard around Halloween and is highly sought by record collectors. Mr. Blazonczyk was born on July 12, 1941, in Chicago. There was a problem getting your location. English His son led . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. For a time, Blazonczyk performed pop music with Mercury Records as "Eddie Bell and the Bel-Aires," when he appeared on "American Bandstand." 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. Great Great Pumpkin,'' about an alien squash who gives children advice after first asking them, in a thick Polish accent, ''What you want, sonny boy?''. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. Polka had a moment of broad popularity in the postwar years, when musicians like Frank Yankovic had million-selling hits. Listen to Hour 1; Listen to Hour 2; View Show Playlist Blazonczyk retired in 2001 after suffering a stroke, and his son took over his band, Eddie Blazonczyk and the Versatones. This site is provided as a service of SCI Shared Resources, LLC. He met his wife, the former Christine Zielinski, known as Tish, at a polka dance in 1962. Verify and try again. 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. There was hardly any pay. 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. "That's why he was called the 'Polka King.' Many of his dozens of albums feature him singing in English on one side and perfectly enunciated Polish on the other. 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 . 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. Oops, something didn't work. His parents operated music clubs in the city and he started playing in the 1950s with "Happy Eddie and his . 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. 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 . All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. This account has been disabled. He has been called "one of the most important figures in the creation of the contemporary Polish-American polka sound." He was 70. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. He was 70. Blazonczyk retired in 2001 after suffering a stroke, and his son took over his band, Eddie Blazonczyk and the Versatones. He was 70. Yet Mr. Blazonczyk was also devoted to Polish musical customs. 1 Polka Band. Mr. Blazonczyk was a member of the associations Polka Music Hall of Fame. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. All rights reserved. "The Great Great Pumpkin", released on Lucky Four #1012, is probably the most noteworthy of these recordings. Obituary; Grief Recovery Center; Start a Family Tree Find a Funeral Home; Death of Eddie . 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. CANDLE HAS BEEN LIT CANDLES HAVE BEEN LIT, We are reviewing your submission. Eddie Blazonczyk was born on July 12, 1941, in Chicago, the son of immigrants from the rural Tatras Mountains region of southern Poland. Let others know about your loved one's death. Blazonczyk was born to Polish immigrant parents on July 12, 1941, in Chicago. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. He was 70. He was inducted into the International Polka Hall of Fame in 1970, and was a 1998 National Heritage Fellowship recipient. You can always change this later in your Account settings. Failed to delete memorial. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. We might permanently block any user who abuses these conditions. Blkazonczyk won a Grammy in 1987 for Best Polka Recording for "Another Polka Celebration." Try again later. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. He retired after having a stroke in late 2001, and his son led the Versatones until disbanding it last year. Rest in Peace my friend. 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. He was 70. Blazonczyk retired in 2001 after suffering a stroke, and his son took over his band, Eddie Blazonczyk and the Versatones. Blazonczyk Sr. died Monday morning of natural causes in Palos Community Hospital in Palos Heights, said his son. Try again later. He joined the Versatones, so named because of their versatility. For them this is truly the day that the music died, Blazonczyk said. ). [11], Blazonczyk died of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome on May 21, 2012. In Memory Of Edward Eddie A. Blazonczyk Sr. Sign up for service and obituary updates. I'll never forget you Eddie B. Condolences to the entire Blazonczyk Family, and a special thanks goes out to you for sharing him with us. Share. Eddie Blazonczyk. At that time, he turned over responsibility for his band, The Versatones, to his son, Eddie Blazonczyk Jr. But he returned to polka in 1962, forming the Versatones and going on tour. He was 70. Rest in Peace my friend. Learn more about merges. Be sure to visit Rogers you tube channel for more great videos But he returned to polka in 1962, forming the Versatones and going on tour. Among his signature songs were ''Angeline Be Mine Polka'' and ''Polka Hero. Live from Pulaski Polka Days - Pulaski, Wi 07/26/1985 - Published on Dec 3, 2006 by Rodgersins. His son said many friends have been sending him condolence messages since learning of his fathers death. 1992 Returned with Marion Lush. As a teenager, Mr. Blazonczyk played in rock 'n' roll bands and toured with Buddy Holly and Gene Vincent. EDWARD BLAZONCZYK OBITUARY. The band formed in 1962 and toured North America and Europe. Created with sketchtool. This is a more complete version of the story than the one that appeared in print. In 1998, first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton presented Eddie Blazonczyk presented him with a National Endowment for the Arts 1998 National Heritage Fellowship award. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. Eddie Blazonczyk is the King of Polish Polka. From breaking news to special features and documentaries, the NewsdayTV team is covering the issues that matter to you. He was the top guy.". A system error has occurred. 1 Polka Band." And in an instant, Blazonczyk's son, Eddie Blazonczyk Jr., found himself the new frontman of the . Blazonczyk was known as the "Polka King" and started his own polka music label in the 1960s. He was named a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellow in 1998. ''It beat the hell out of you,'' Eddie Jr. remembers his father telling him. In 1963 he started his label, Bel-Aire, and released the bands first album, Polka Parade; more than 60 albums followed. Many of his dozens of albums feature him singing in English on one side and perfectly enunciated Polish on the other. ''He Mr. Blazonczyk was named a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellow in 1998. 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. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. Sorry! He was 70. Blazonczyk Sr. died of natural causes at age 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. EDDIE BLAZONCZYK OBITUARY. Blazonczyk was born to Polish immigrant parents on July 12, 1941, in Chicago. 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