eddie blazonczyk obituary

Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? There is a problem with your email/password. Blazonczyk Sr. died of natural causes at age 70. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 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. But polka was growing. 1 Polka Band. Mr. Blazonczyk was a member of the associations Polka Music Hall of Fame. Those songs included The Masked Man (Hi Yo Silver) and The 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?. EDDIE BLAZONCZYK OBITUARY. Sorry! Cyril & Methodius Church, Lemont, Mass 11 a.m. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. 1 Polka Band. Blazonczyk was a member of the associations Polka Music Hall of Fame. Blazonczyk's record label, Bel-Aire Recordings, says Blazonczyk died Monday, May 21, 2012, of natural causes at a hospital Palos Heights, Ill. "He was very good at what he did," said Dave Ulczycki, president of the International Polka Association. I thought you might like to see a memorial for Eddie Blazonczyk Sr. ''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. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. EDDIE BLAZONCZYK OBITUARY. Polka had a moment of broad popularity in the postwar years, when musicians like Frank Yankovic had million-selling hits. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. Failed to report flower. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. Add to your scrapbook. "For them this is truly the day that the music died," Blazonczyk said. CANDLE HAS BEEN LIT CANDLES HAVE BEEN LIT, We are reviewing your submission. Ridge Funeral Home. 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. He was 70. The International Polka Association said on its Web site that Eddie Blazonczyk and the Versatones was unchallenged in its height as Americas No. 2023 SCI SHARED RESOURCES, LLC. 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. He died of complications from a stroke two months shy of his 71st birthday. The Versatones played their last performance on New Year's Eve, 2011. Blazonczyk retired in 2001 after suffering a stroke, and his son took over his band, Eddie Blazonczyk and the Versatones. [11], Blazonczyk died of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome on May 21, 2012. 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 . No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. After hearing his style of the music they werent afraid of polka anymore. 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. Family members linked to this person will appear here. Created with sketchtool. By Ben Sisario. The horn riffs in and out and around in intricate patterns that . 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. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. 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. Jerry Tokarz, Ed Wolinski, Jim Sierzega, Eddie Blazonczyk, Rich Tokarz & Jerry Darlak - The Versatones 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 -- 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. 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 OBITUARY. Eddie Blazonczyk, Sr. (July 12, 1941 May 21, 2012) was a Grammy award-winning polka musician and founder of the band The Versatones. 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 joined the Versatones, so named because of their versatility. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. Blazonczyk was born to Polish immigrant parents on July 12, 1941, in Chicago. We have set your language to Blazonczyk was a member of the association's Polka Music Hall of Fame. He attracted so many people to the polka audience, whereas previously they were scared away by the word polka, Eddie Blazonczyk Jr. said. 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. 1985 Member of Lenny Gomulka & Chicago Push. He was 70. He was 70. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Eddie Blazonczyk (90601289)? At that time, he turned over responsibility for his band, The Versatones, to his son, Eddie Blazonczyk Jr. His son said many friends have been sending him condolence messages since learning of his fathers death. Musicologist Norm Cohen wrote that "in his illustrious career, Blazonczyk and his Versatones were the primary ambassadors of Polish-American polka, touring constantly and playing well over 200 road gigs per year. Blazonczyk retired in 2001 after suffering a stroke, and his son took over his band, Eddie Blazonczyk and the Versatones. <p> Visitation Wednesday and Thursday 3 to 9 p.m. (708) 301-3595 or www.modellfh.com. But polka was growing. He was 70. But by the early 1960s, he had begun to move away from rock. cemeteries found in Justice, Cook County, Illinois, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. He met his wife, the former Christine Zielinski, known as Tish, at a polka dance in 1962. His label, Bel-Aire Recordings, confirmed the death but did not disclose the cause. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. Leave a memory or share a photo or video below to show your support. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). 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). He was 70. 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. and I wanted to try my hand at that.''. During this period Blazonczyk toured with Buddy Holly, Gene Vincent and Brenda Lee. 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. 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. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. OBITUARY Edward Eddie A. Blazonczyk Sr. July 12, 1941 - May 21, 2012. Send flowers or a gift to a service or family's home. Yet Mr. Blazonczyk was also devoted to Polish musical customs. [7] The records he made for these labels were rockabilly sides, and novelty songs. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. Blkazonczyk won a Grammy in 1987 for Best Polka Recording for "Another Polka Celebration." it, held a place in some Americans' ethnic identity. Failed to delete memorial. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. He was a big force for what it means to be Polish in America.. 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. Thats why he was called the Polka King. He was the top guy.. He was 70. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. Many of his dozens of albums feature him singing in English on one side and perfectly enunciated Polish on the other. Rest in Peace my friend. 1990 Returned with Eddie Blazonczyk. 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's record label, Bel-Aire Recordings, says Blazonczyk died Monday, May 21, 2012, of natural causes at a hospital Palos Heights, Ill. Let others know about your loved one's death. His son led . Grief Support. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. 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. 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. There was an error deleting this problem. Your entry has exceeded the maximum character limit. Or purchase a subscription for unlimited access to real news you can count on. He was 70. "[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. Blazonczyk was born to Polish immigrant parents on July 12, 1941, in Chicago. 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. 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. Cyril & Methodius Church, Lemont, Mass 11 a.m. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. 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 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 . 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. His parents operated music clubs in the city and he started playing in the 1950s with "Happy Eddie and his . Try again. "The Great Great Pumpkin", released on Lucky Four #1012, is probably the most noteworthy of these recordings. 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 . He was 70. Resend Activation Email. NOTE: Special thanks to the Blazonczyk Family, and Polka fans everywhere for sharing your photos! He retired after having a stroke in late 2001, and his son led the Versatones until disbanding it last year. The association said on its website that Eddie Blazonczyk and the Versatones was unchallenged in its height as Americas No. They knew it wasn't 'She's Too Fat For Me' or 'Roll Out the Barrel.' Please reset your password. The Versatones, which picked up a Grammy in 1987, played its last show on Dec. 31, 2011. 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. 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