His music rocks, it rolls, it hops, it pushes. 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. accordion. Then, five years ago last month, Blazonczyk suffered a stroke that affected his left side. Cyril & Methodius Church, Lemont, Mass 11 a.m. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. Blazonczyk's record label, Bel-Aire Recordings, says Blazonczyk died Monday, May 21, 2012, of natural causes at a hospital Palos Heights, Ill. Please reset your password. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Eddie Blazonczyk (90601289)? Leave a memory or share a photo or video below to show your support. (The polka category was eliminated in 2009.). Grief Support. 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 attracted so many people to the polka audience, whereas previously they were scared away by the word polka," Eddie Blazonczyk Jr. said. We might permanently block any user who abuses these conditions. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. 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 70. As a teenager, Mr. Blazonczyk played in rock 'n' roll bands and toured with Buddy Holly and Gene Vincent. Blazonczyk Sr. died of natural causes at age 70. 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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. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. 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. Sorry! He died of complications from a stroke two months shy of his 71st birthday. [11], Blazonczyk died of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome on May 21, 2012. He was 70. Yet Mr. Blazonczyk was also devoted to Polish musical customs. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. Blazonczyk earned many accolades throughout his career. 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. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. Blazonczyk retired in 2001 after suffering a stroke, and his son took over his band, Eddie Blazonczyk and the Versatones. He was the top guy.". Live from Pulaski Polka Days - Pulaski, Wi 07/26/1985 - Published on Dec 3, 2006 by Rodgersins. Many of his dozens of albums feature him singing in English on one side and perfectly enunciated Polish on the other. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. Considered the king of Chicago-style polka music, Blazonczyk founded the Versatones in 1963, pioneering a brand of polka that mixed in elements of rock, Tex-Mex and other genres. His parents operated music clubs in the city and he started playing in the 1950s with "Happy Eddie and his Polka . Share. We reserve the right at all times to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable to us, and to disclose any information necessary to satisfy the law, regulation, or government request. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. . Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. 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. I had what I refer to as \"the best seat in the house\"! Sympathy Ideas. 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. Blkazonczyk won a Grammy in 1987 for Best Polka Recording for "Another Polka Celebration." 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. By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy. "For them this is truly the day that the music died," Blazonczyk said. As a teenager, Mr. Blazonczyk played in rock n roll bands and toured with Buddy Holly and Gene Vincent. 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. 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. Help tell the story of your loved ones unique life. Saying Goodbye; my tribute to Eddie Blazonczyk who passed away much too soon, on May 21, 2012. 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 accordion. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. ----Kevin Adams - 05/23/2012 In 1963 he started his label, Bel-Aire, and released the bands first album, Polka Parade; more than 60 albums followed. Or purchase a subscription for unlimited access to real news you can count on. <p> He was 70. ''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. They knew it wasn't 'She's Too Fat For Me' or 'Roll Out the Barrel.' We have set your language to Created with sketchtool. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. She and their son Eddie Jr. survive him, as do another son, Anthony; a daughter, Katherine; and three grandchildren. Try again. Blkazonczyk won a Grammy in 1987 for Best Polka Recording for "Another Polka Celebration." His son led . Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. Eddie Blazonczyk was born to Polish immigrant parents on July 12, 1941, in Chicago. After hearing his style of the music they werent afraid of polka anymore. 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. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. (Khue Bui/AP). Mr. Blazonczyk retired in 2001 after suffering a stroke, and his son Eddie Blazonczyk Jr. took over his band, Eddie Blazonczyk and the Versatones. CANDLE HAS BEEN LIT CANDLES HAVE BEEN LIT, We are reviewing your submission. He was born in Chicago to Polish immigrant . He was 70. Blazonczyk's record label, Bel-Aire Recordings, says Blazonczyk died Monday, May 21, 2012, of natural causes at a hospital Palos Heights, Ill. Year should not be greater than current year. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? Blazonczyk was known as the "Polka King" and started his own polka music label in the 1960s. She and their son Eddie Jr. survive him, as do another son, Anthony; a daughter, Katherine; and three grandchildren. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. was a big force for what it means to be Polish in America.''. In Memory of Edward Eddie A. Blazonczyk Sr. Sign up for service and obituary updates. Let others know about your loved one's death. Funeral Friday 9:30 a.m. from Modell Funeral Home, 12641 W. 143rd St. Homer Glen to Sts. He was 70. 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. In 1962, he formed his polka band The Versatones and released their first album, "Polka Parade" on his own Bel-Aire Label. With over 1,900 locations, Dignity Memorial providers proudly serve over 375,000 families a year. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. 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). Eddie Blazonczyk in 1986, the year before he won a Grammy. 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. 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. Eddie Blazonczyk is the King of Polish Polka. 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. 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. English Within two years of that decision, Eddie Jr. said, his father was on tour nationally, playing polka music. Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. This recording is still occasionally heard around Halloween and is highly sought by record collectors. Polka had a moment of broad popularity in the postwar years, when musicians like Frank Yankovic had million-selling hits. 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. [5], Blazonczyk was nominated for 11 Grammy Awards,[12] and his album Another Polka Celebration won the 1986 Grammy for Best Polka Recording. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. Add to your scrapbook. 0 cemeteries found in Justice, Cook County, Illinois, USA. Your entry has exceeded the maximum character limit. EDDIE BLAZONCZYK OBITUARY. Copyright 2023 Newsday. His son said many friends have been sending him condolence messages since learning of his father's death. Mr. Blazonczyk was born on July 12, 1941, in Chicago. 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. Share. Failed to remove flower. Created with sketchtool. 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 Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. 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. 1985 Member of Lenny Gomulka & Chicago Push. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. Many of his dozens of albums feature him singing in English on one side and perfectly enunciated Polish on the other. Try again later. GREAT NEWS! Ridge Funeral Home. 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 Family members linked to this person will appear here. "[4] He released more than 60 albums. "That's why he was called the 'Polka King.' Send a note, share a story or upload a photo. cemeteries found in Justice, Cook County, Illinois, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Obituary; Grief Recovery Center; Start a Family Tree Find a Funeral Home; Death of Eddie . Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). Within two years of that decision, Eddie Jr. said, his father was on tour nationally, playing polka music. 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. Learn more about managing a memorial . 2023 SCI SHARED RESOURCES, LLC. Tyler Morning Telegraph. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. He was inducted into the International Polka Hall of Fame in 1970, and was a 1998 National Heritage Fellowship recipient. Try again later. This is a more complete version of the story than the one that appeared in print. Rest in Peace my friend. 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. 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 . Search by Name. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. The International Polka Association said on its Web site that Eddie Blazonczyk and the Versatones was unchallenged in its height as Americas No. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. He retired in 2001 after suffering health problems. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. Blazonczyk was born to Polish immigrant parents on July 12, 1941, in Chicago. Blazonczyk was a member of the association's Polka Music Hall of Fame. He was 70. In 1963 he 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. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. 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. 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. I thought you might like to see a memorial for Eddie Blazonczyk Sr. 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. 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. 1976 Member of Eddie Blazonczyk's Versatones. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. Edward Eddie A. Blazonczyk Sr. 12 July, 1941 - 21 May, 2012. He has been called "one of the most important figures in the creation of the contemporary Polish-American polka sound." IN THE CARE OF. The Versatones, which picked up a Grammy in 1987, played its last show on Dec. 31, 2011. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. I was fortunate enough to perform as a Versatone from 1987-1994, and in that time I spent over 1000 nights with Eddie onstage. He started the record label in 1963. Rest in Peace my friend. Please omit flowers. Some of his biggest hits include Angeline Be Mine Polka and Poor Boy Polka.. He was 70. CHICAGO (AP) - Grammy Award-winning polka great Eddie Blazonczyk, who began playing the lively music in the 1950s and went on to earn . or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. Eddie Blazonczyk Sr. U.S., Newspapers.com Obituary Index, 1800s-current. Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? Blazonczyk retired in 2001 after suffering a stroke, and his son took over his band, Eddie Blazonczyk and the Versatones. Blazonczyk, Sr., Edward A. The Versatones, which picked up a Grammy in 1987, played their last show on Dec. 31, 2011. 1992 Returned with Marion Lush. When I got back to Chicago, I saw the crowds coming out for Marion Lush and Li'l Wally, It beat the hell out of you, Eddie Jr. remembers his father telling him. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. Saying Goodbye; my tribute to Eddie Blazonczyk who passed away much too soon, on May 21, 2012. ''He 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. Make sure that the file is a photo. NOTE: Special thanks to the Blazonczyk Family, and Polka fans everywhere for sharing your photos! He was 70. ''It beat the hell out of you,'' Eddie Jr. remembers his father telling him. Cyril & Methodius Church, Lemont, Mass 11 a.m. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. [3] He has been called "one of the most important figures in the creation of the contemporary Polish-American polka sound. He retired after having a stroke in late 2001, and his son led the Versatones until disbanding it last year. To use this feature, use a newer browser. He was 70. 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 . 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. Search above to list available cemeteries. For them this is truly the day that the music died, Blazonczyk said. (PHOTOGRAPH BY ASSOCIATED PRESS). If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. it, held a place in some Americans' ethnic identity. But by the early 1960s, he had begun to move away from rock. 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. 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. There was an error deleting this problem. Leave a memory or share a photo or video below to show your support. and I wanted to try my hand at that.''. Mr. Blazonczyk played many instruments but preferred the bass, and he sang lyrics in both English and Polish. A news release says Blazonczyk died Monday. 1990 Returned with Eddie Blazonczyk. Learn more about merges. 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. Review. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. . For a time, Blazonczyk performed pop music with Mercury Records as "Eddie Bell and the Bel-Aires," when he appeared on "American Bandstand." He was 70. Some of his biggest hits include "Angeline Be Mine Polka" and "Poor Boy Polka.". 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. EDDIE BLAZONCZYK OBITUARY. He was named a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellow in 1998. BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. (CBS) -- Eddie Blazonczyk, the man known as Chicago's polka king, has died at the age of 70. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. EDDIE BLAZONCZYK OBITUARY. 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. 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. Eddie Blazonczyk was born on July 12, 1941, in Chicago, the son of immigrants from the rural Tatras Mountains region of southern Poland. The cause was multiple organ failure, said his son Eddie Jr., who took over the operation of his fathers band, the Versatones, in 1997.
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