Your entry has exceeded the maximum character limit. Share. [7] The records he made for these labels were rockabilly sides, and novelty songs. CANDLE HAS BEEN LIT CANDLES HAVE BEEN LIT, We are reviewing your submission. OBITUARY Edward Eddie A. Blazonczyk Sr. July 12, 1941 - May 21, 2012. Failed to remove flower. Blazonczyk was born to Polish immigrant parents on July 12, 1941, in Chicago. [1], Blazonczyk retired from performing in 2002. Created with sketchtool. IN THE CARE OF. Be sure to visit Rogers you tube channel for more great videos Leave a memory or share a photo or video below to show your support. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Jimmy Sturr, who has won the prize 18 times. He was 70. Those songs included ''The Masked Man (Hi Yo Silver)'' and ''The 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 very good at what he did," said Dave Ulczycki, president of the International Polka Association. Obituary Read. Grief Support. Failed to report flower. He was 70. Among his signature songs were Angeline Be Mine Polka and Polka Hero., The sound had traces of rock, left over from Mr. Blazonczyks days in the early 1960s recording rockabilly under the name Eddy Bell, for Mercury and other labels. Anyone can read what you share. Created with sketchtool. He won a GRAMMY win came in 1986 for Best Polka Recording . This is a carousel with slides. Some of his biggest hits include "Angeline Be Mine Polka" and "Poor Boy Polka.". 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. 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. Some of his biggest hits include Angeline Be Mine Polka and Poor Boy Polka.. 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. In Memory Of Edward Eddie A. Blazonczyk Sr. Sign up for service and obituary updates. When I got back to Chicago, I saw the crowds coming out for Marion Lush and Li'l Wally, Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. memorial page for Eddie Blazonczyk Sr. (12 Jul 1941-21 May 2012), Find a Grave Memorial ID 90601289, citing Resurrection Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleums, . He was 70. Polka had a moment of broad popularity in the postwar years, when musicians like Frank Yankovic had million-selling hits. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. Visit Homepage. Grief Support. EDDIE BLAZONCZYK OBITUARY. Listen to Hour 1; Listen to Hour 2; View Show Playlist His son said many friends have been sending him condolence messages since learning of his fathers death. Saying Goodbye; my tribute to Eddie Blazonczyk who passed away much too soon, on May 21, 2012. He was 70. 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 . Please reset your password. (PHOTOGRAPH BY ASSOCIATED PRESS). 1994 With Lenny Gomulka Band to his passing in 2014. 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 . In 1963 he started his label, Bel-Aire, and released the bands first album, Polka Parade; more than 60 albums followed. 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. With over 1,900 locations, Dignity Memorial providers proudly serve over 400,000 families a year. But by the early 1960s, he had begun to move away from rock. Visitation Wednesday and Thursday 3 to 9 p.m. (708) 301-3595 or www.modellfh.com. ''There was hardly any pay. 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. He was very good at what he did, said Dave Ulczycki, president of the International Polka Association. "After hearing his style of the music they weren't afraid of polka anymore. I had what I refer to as \"the best seat in the house\"! His parents operated music clubs in the city and he started playing in the 1950s with "Happy Eddie and his 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. 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. 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. 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. The association said on its website that Eddie Blazonczyk and the Versatones was "unchallenged in its height as America's No. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? Cyril & Methodius Church, Lemont, Mass 11 a.m. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. He was 70. and maintained a mini-empire of polka in Chicago, including a record label, a recording studio, a retail store and a music school. 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. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. 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. [11], Blazonczyk died of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome on May 21, 2012. 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 named a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellow in 1998. He was 70. There was hardly any pay. 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. From breaking news to special features and documentaries, the NewsdayTV team is covering the issues that matter to you. Weve updated the security on the site. Then, five years ago last month, Blazonczyk suffered a stroke that affected his left side. [3] He has been called "one of the most important figures in the creation of the contemporary Polish-American polka sound. 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. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. At that time, he turned over responsibility for his band, The Versatones, to his son, Eddie Blazonczyk Jr. He won a Grammy Award, kept a vigorous touring schedule and maintained a mini-empire of polka in Chicago, including a record label, a recording studio, a retail store and a music school. EDDIE BLAZONCZYK OBITUARY. Family members linked to this person will appear here. 1 Polka Band." 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. I cannot thank him enough for all th. Blazonczyk has said, "I took his advice, and never regretted it. 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. This is a more complete version of the story than the one that appeared in print. Musician. Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. After hearing his style of the music they werent afraid of polka anymore. He was 70. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. Search above to list available cemeteries. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. 0 cemeteries found in Justice, Cook County, Illinois, USA. Sympathy Ideas. Blazonczyk earned many accolades throughout his career. 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. Blazonczyk earned many accolades throughout his career. Try again. Yet Mr. Blazonczyk was also devoted to Polish musical customs. Blazonczyk was known as the "Polka King" and started his own polka music label in the 1960s. cemeteries found in Justice, Cook County, Illinois, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. He retired after having a stroke in late 2001, and his son led the Versatones until disbanding it last year. Eddie Blazonczyk, Sr. (July 12, 1941 - May 21, 2012) was a Grammy award-winning polka musician and founder of the band The Versatones. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. For a time, Blazonczyk performed pop music with Mercury Records as "Eddie Bell and the Bel-Aires," when he appeared on "American Bandstand." 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. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. He won a Grammy Award, kept a vigorous touring schedule 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. They knew it wasn't 'She's Too Fat For Me' or 'Roll Out the Barrel.' Try again later. 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. Funeral Friday 9:30 a.m. from Modell Funeral Home, 12641 W. 143rd St. Homer Glen to Sts. Year should not be greater than current year. It's time for saying goodbye\". He was 70. Eddie Blazonczyk, Sr. (July 12, 1941 May 21, 2012) was a Grammy award-winning polka musician and founder of the band The Versatones. Eddie Blazonczyk in 1986, the year before he won a Grammy. And in an instant, Blazonczyk's son, Eddie Blazonczyk Jr., found himself the new frontman of the . After suffering a stroke in 2001, he retired and his son Eddie Blazonczyk Jr. led the band for another full a decade. The Versatones, which picked up a Grammy in 1987, played their last show on Dec. 31, 2011. [3], "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, This page was last edited on 26 January 2022, at 20:33. Visitation Wednesday and Thursday 3 to 9 p.m. (708) 301-3595 or www.modellfh.com. . Edward Eddie A. Blazonczyk Sr. 12 July, 1941 - 21 May, 2012. 2023 SCI SHARED RESOURCES, LLC. You can always change this later in your Account settings. I thought you might like to see a memorial for Eddie Blazonczyk Sr. Yet Mr. Blazonczyk was also devoted to Polish musical customs. Eddie Blazonczyk was born on July 12, 1941, in Chicago, the son of immigrants from the rural Tatras Mountains region of southern Poland. He was 70. In 1962, he formed his polka band The Versatones and released their first album, "Polka Parade" on his own Bel-Aire Label. He was 70. For a time, Blazonczyk performed pop music with Mercury Records as "Eddie Bell and the Bel-Aires," when he appeared on "American Bandstand." Mr. Blazonczyk was born on July 12, 1941, in Chicago. Obituaries Section Created with sketchtool. This site is provided as a service of SCI Shared Resources, LLC. He joined the Versatones, so named because of their versatility. 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. But by the early 1960s, he had begun to move away from rock. (The polka category was eliminated in 2009.). Eddie Blazonczyk Sr. 1950 United States Federal Census. . He was also named a National Heritage Fellow by the National Endowment for the Arts in 1998. The Versatones, which picked up a Grammy in 1987, played their last show on Dec. 31, 2011. Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. Let others know about your loved one's death. Blazonczyk was born to Polish immigrant parents on July 12, 1941, in Chicago. English 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. His label, Bel-Aire Recordings, confirmed the death but did not disclose the cause. 1976 Member of Eddie Blazonczyk's Versatones. 2023 SCI SHARED RESOURCES, LLC. (The polka category was eliminated in 2009.). Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. May 24, 2012. Blazonczyk was known as the "Polka King" and started his own polka music label in the 1960s. Send a note, share a story or upload a photo. He met his wife, the former Christine Zielinski, known as Tish, at a polka dance in 1962. CANDLE HAS BEEN LIT CANDLES HAVE BEEN LIT, We are reviewing your submission. Resend Activation Email. The band consisted of a fiddler and concertina[10] player, two trumpeter/clarinetists, a drummer and Blazonczyk himself on vocals and electric bass. She and their son Eddie Jr. survive him, as do another son, Anthony; a daughter, Katherine; and three grandchildren. An email has been sent to the person who requested the photo informing them that you have fulfilled their request, There is an open photo request for this memorial. Keep supporting great journalism by turning off your ad blocker. Many of his dozens of albums feature him singing in English on one side and perfectly enunciated Polish on the other. Within two years of that decision, Eddie Jr. said, his father was on tour nationally, playing polka music. They knew it was an evolution of the music.". "For them this is truly the day that the music died," Blazonczyk said. 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?''. Blazonczyk was a member of the association's Polka Music Hall of Fame. Tyler Morning Telegraph. No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. 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