Eddie Blazonczyk, the man known as Chicago's polka king, has died at the age of 70. But polka was growing. ----Kevin Adams - 05/23/2012 Share. 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. Blazonczyk was born to Polish immigrant parents on July 12, 1941, in Chicago. He met his wife, the former Christine Zielinski, known as Tish, at a polka dance in 1962. He was inducted into the International Polka Hall of Fame in 1970,[2] and was a 1998 National Heritage Fellowship recipient. A news release says Blazonczyk died Monday. (PHOTOGRAPH BY ASSOCIATED PRESS). Eddie Blazonczyk, Sr. (July 12, 1941 May 21, 2012) was a Grammy award-winning polka musician and founder of the band The Versatones. We have set your language to Let others know about your loved one's death. The cause was multiple organ failure, said his son Eddie Jr., who took over the operation of his fathers band, the Versatones, in 1997. He joined the Versatones, so named because of their versatility. He was also named a National Heritage Fellow by the National Endowment for the Arts in 1998. [7] The records he made for these labels were rockabilly sides, and novelty songs. First published on May 21, 2012 / 1:23 PM. 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. Within two years of that decision, Eddie Jr. said, his father was on tour nationally, playing polka music. 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. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. He was named a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellow in 1998. A cause of death was not revealed. was a big force for what it means to be Polish in America.''. Home; About; Blog; Media Room. Thanks for your help! "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, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 26 January 2022, at 20:33. February 27, 2023 . "I took his advice, and never regretted it," Blazonczyk said in the release. trinity memorial funeral home : muscle shoals, alabama obituaries. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. I cannot thank him enough for all the good times, the experience, and most of all the friendship that continued after we left the stage. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. I had what I refer to as \"the best seat in the house\"! Comfort the family with flowers or a sympathy gift. The Versatones, which picked up a Grammy in 1987, played their last show on Dec. 31, 2011. Many of his dozens of albums feature him singing in English on one side and perfectly enunciated Polish on the other. Verify and try again. Leave a memory or share a photo or video below to show your support. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. 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. No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. There was a problem getting your location. By the time Mr. Blazonczyk began his career, it was receding from the mainstream, but the music, and the social rituals surrounding He won a Grammy in 1987 for his album ''Another Polka Celebration,'' tying that year with Try again. 2023 SCI SHARED RESOURCES, LLC. You can always change this later in your Account settings. 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. John's Celebration of Life Service will begin at 12 noon on Saturday at the funeral home. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. But by the early 1960s, he had begun to move away from rock. a Polka had a moment of broad popularity in the postwar years, when musicians like Frank Yankovic had million-selling hits. blackpool north pier fishing permit; bradley cooper parents; best prepaid debit card to avoid garnishment Family members linked to this person will appear here. EDDIE BLAZONCZYK OBITUARY 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. Try again later. The Versatones, which picked up a Grammy in 1987, played their last show on Dec. 31, 2011. Cyril & Methodius Church, Lemont, Mass 11 a.m. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. "He attracted so many people to the polka audience, whereas previously they were scared away by the word polka," Eddie Blazonczyk Jr. said. Blazonczyk Sr. was 70 and had retired after suffering a stroke in 2001. Explore the crossword clues and related quizzes to this answer. He retired from performing in 2002, and turned over responsibility for his band, the Versatones, to his son, Eddie Jr. Within two years of that decision, Eddie Jr. said, his father was on tour nationally, playing polka music. All rights reserved. Blazonczyk played many instruments but preferred the bass, and he sang lyrics in both English and Polish. He died of complications from a stroke two months shy of his 71st birthday. 0 cemeteries found in Justice, Cook County, Illinois, USA. QUIZ. 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.[3]. By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy. Some of his biggest hits include Angeline Be Mine Polka and Poor Boy Polka.. 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. Blazonczyk was a member of the International Polka Hall of Fame and the Broadcasters Hall of Fame. If you don't see something listed that you would prefer, please do not hesitate to ask. As a teenager, Mr. Blazonczyk played in rock 'n' roll bands and toured with Buddy Holly and Gene Vincent. Eddie Blazonczyk in 1986, the year before he won a Grammy. Visitation Wednesday and Thursday 3 to 9 p.m. (708) 301-3595 or www.modellfh.com. Please enter your email and password to sign in. 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. Blkazonczyk won a Grammy in 1987 for Best Polka Recording for "Another Polka Celebration." The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. 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?''. Failed to remove flower. I cannot thank him enough for all th. / CBS Chicago. 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. Resurrection Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleums, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/90601289/eddie-blazonczyk. Search above to list available cemeteries. Your IP address is listed in our blacklist and blocked from completing this request. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. Dubbed the "Polka King", he was noted for revolutionizing the traditional polka style by infusing it with rock, Cajun, zydeco and country into his own polka music. 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. Search Aurora obituaries and condolences, hosted by Echovita.com. Help tell the story of your loved ones unique life. valter's osteria recipes; whiteland shirt andrew schulz; . brian henderson jr obituary; pasteurized milk ordinance 2021. kevin gates moroccan father; lexington plane crash 81 dead. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? Musician. is robert peston married to charlotte edwardes. Blazonczyk was born to Polish immigrant parents on July 12, 1941, in Chicago. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. Celebrity Deaths 2012 est. 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. ''It beat the hell out of you,'' Eddie Jr. remembers his father telling him. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Sorry! Obituary Read. electronic gold scrap buyers; is one foot island beach in the southern hemisphere n exhibit titled "Teachers and Students" by artists Robert Wilson and Gregory Chapman will be on display through Feb. 24 at Marmion Academy's Dr. Scholl ''He Oops, something didn't work. Blazonczyk retired in 2001 after suffering a stroke, and his son took over his band, Eddie Blazonczyk and the Versatones. 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. I thought you might like to see a memorial for Eddie Blazonczyk Sr. Eddie Blazonczyk was born to Polish immigrant parents on July 12, 1941, in Chicago. May 21, 2012 / 1:23 PM Eddie Blazonczyk Sr. 1941-2012 It is with gread sadness to announce that Eddie Blazonczyk Sr. passed away on Monday, May 21st at around 6am Eastern Time (5am Chicago Time). Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). 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. Blazonczyk was known as the "Polka King" and started his own polka music label in the 1960s. 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. Bio 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. 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. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. Into the International polka Hall of Fame and the Bel-Aires, when musicians like Yankovic. Because of their versatility opportunity to fulfill your request already exists, but the email address still needs be... You want to delete this photo when musicians like Frank Yankovic had million-selling hits comfort family! 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