2023 SCI SHARED RESOURCES, LLC. He won a Grammy in 1987 for his album ''Another Polka Celebration,'' tying that year with [3] He has been called "one of the most important figures in the creation of the contemporary Polish-American polka sound. Year should not be greater than current year. . [5], Blazonczyk was nominated for 11 Grammy Awards,[12] and his album Another Polka Celebration won the 1986 Grammy for Best Polka Recording. Leave a memory or share a photo or video below to show your support. After hearing his style of the music they werent afraid of polka anymore. Blazonczyk was known as the "Polka King" and started his own polka music label in the 1960s. The Versatones played their last performance on New Year's Eve, 2011. Funeral Friday 9:30 a.m. from Modell Funeral Home, 12641 W. 143rd St. Homer Glen to Sts. Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? (PHOTOGRAPH BY ASSOCIATED PRESS). In 1963 he started his label, Bel-Aire, and released the bands first album, Polka Parade; more than 60 albums followed. By the time Mr. Blazonczyk began his career, it was receding from the mainstream, but the music, and the social rituals surrounding it, held a place in some Americans ethnic identity. Help tell the story of your loved ones unique life. 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. EDDIE BLAZONCZYK OBITUARY. In Memory of Edward Eddie A. Blazonczyk Sr. Sign up for service and obituary updates. Mr. Blazonczyk was born on July 12, 1941, in Chicago. Blazonczyk's record label, Bel-Aire Recordings, says Blazonczyk died Monday, May 21, 2012, of natural causes at a hospital Palos Heights, Ill. Visitation Wednesday and Thursday 3 to 9 p.m. (708) 301-3595 or www.modellfh.com. They knew it wasn't 'She's Too Fat For Me' or 'Roll Out the Barrel.' Eddie Blazonczyk Sr. 1941-2012. The Versatones, which picked up a Grammy in 1987, played their last show on Dec. 31, 2011. Please enter your email and password to sign in. He was 70. Or purchase a subscription for unlimited access to real news you can count on. Live from Pulaski Polka Days - Pulaski, Wi 07/26/1985 - Published on Dec 3, 2006 by Rodgersins. "The Great Great Pumpkin", released on Lucky Four #1012, is probably the most noteworthy of these recordings. Review. CANDLE HAS BEEN LIT CANDLES HAVE BEEN LIT, We are reviewing your submission. Some of his biggest hits include Angeline Be Mine Polka and Poor Boy Polka.. 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. (Khue Bui/AP). 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 fish, died on Monday in Palos Heights, Ill. Share. Blazonczyk, Sr., Edward A. Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? I cannot thank him enough for all th. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. IN THE CARE OF. 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 . Share. Send a note, share a story or upload a photo. This recording is still occasionally heard around Halloween and is highly sought by record collectors. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. 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. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. Eddie Blazonczyk, a Grammy Award-winning polka musician who began playing the lively music in the 1950s and went on to earn the nickname Polka King after starting his own band and record label, died May 21 at a hospital in the Chicago suburb of Palos Heights. Yet Mr. Blazonczyk was also devoted to Polish musical customs. 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. He was 70. ''He To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. We might permanently block any user who abuses these conditions. He was named a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellow in 1998. He attracted so many people to the polka audience, whereas previously they were scared away by the word polka, Eddie Blazonczyk Jr. said. He started the record label in 1963. Within two years of that decision, Eddie Jr. said, his father was on tour nationally, playing polka music. A news release says Blazonczyk died Monday. Please omit flowers. But he returned to polka in 1962, forming the Versatones and going on tour. They knew it was an evolution of the music.". Mr. Blazonczyk was named a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellow in 1998. 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. As a teenager, Mr. Blazonczyk played in rock n roll bands and toured with Buddy Holly and Gene Vincent. His record label, Bel-Aire Recordings, and his son, Eddie Blazonczyk Jr., said yesterday that Blazonczyk died of natural causes Monday at a hospital in the Chicago suburb of Palos Heights. I had what I refer to as \"the best seat in the house\"! He was inducted into the International Polka Hall of Fame in 1970, and was a 1998 National Heritage Fellowship recipient. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Eddie Blazonczyk (90601289)? Blazonczyk was known as the "Polka . 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. Mr. Blazonczyk retired in 2001 after suffering a stroke, and his son Eddie Blazonczyk Jr. took over his band, Eddie Blazonczyk and the Versatones. Created with sketchtool. Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. was a big force for what it means to be Polish in America.''. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. The group transformed into a nationally known act, performing at ballrooms, festivals and eventually proceeded to tour the globe. 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. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. We have set your language to He was 70. There was hardly any pay. Review. 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. and maintained a mini-empire of polka in Chicago, including a record label, a recording studio, a retail store and a music school. Oops, we were unable to send the email. 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. He was 70. 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. memorial page for Eddie Blazonczyk Sr. (12 Jul 1941-21 May 2012), Find a Grave Memorial ID 90601289, citing Resurrection Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleums, . Sorry! 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, h 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. English "[9], The Versatones played a mix of both traditional and original tunes, with Blazonczyk singing in both Polish and English. 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. ''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. Sign the Guest Book. Your entry has exceeded the maximum character limit. Blazonczyk Sr. was 70 and had retired after suffering a stroke in 2001. With over 1,900 locations, Dignity Memorial providers proudly serve over 400,000 families a year. Though his focus remained on the polka genre, Blazonczyk was a fan of rock, country, bluegrass and Cajun music and liked to incorporate those styles into his music when he felt it was appropriate. Many of his dozens of albums feature him singing in English on one side and perfectly enunciated Polish on the other. Eddie Blazonczyk is the King of Polish Polka. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. 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. A cause of death was not revealed. ). Thats why he was called the Polka King. He was the top guy.. [1], Before becoming a polka artist, and founding Chicago-based Bel-Aire Records in 1963, Eddie Blazonczyk recorded under the name Eddy Bell for Mercury Records, Versa Records, and Lucky Four Records, all three labels based in Chicago. He joined the Versatones, so named because of their versatility. He won a Grammy Award, kept a vigorous touring schedule Obituaries Section Created with sketchtool. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. Blazonczyk's record label, Bel-Aire Recordings, says Blazonczyk died Monday, May 21, 2012, of natural causes at a hospital Palos Heights, Ill. The younger Blazonczyk described his father as a kind of music mogul, a founding member of the International Polka Association, a disc jockey and polka music promoter who ran a publishing company and music school. The cause was multiple organ failure, said his son Eddie Jr., who took over the operation of his father's band, the Versatones, in 1997. Blazonczyk played many instruments but preferred the bass, and he sang lyrics in both English and Polish. Eddie Blazonczyk Sr. 1950 United States Federal Census. 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. He was 70. 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