eddie blazonczyk obituary

Submit an Obit. CANDLE HAS BEEN LIT CANDLES HAVE BEEN LIT, We are reviewing your submission. As a teenager, Mr. Blazonczyk played in rock n roll bands and toured with Buddy Holly and Gene Vincent. Visitation Wednesday and Thursday 3 to 9 p.m. (708) 301-3595 or www.modellfh.com. As a teenager, Mr. Blazonczyk played in rock 'n' roll bands and toured with Buddy Holly and Gene Vincent. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. Eddie Blazonczyk Sr. 1950 United States Federal Census. "He attracted so many people to the polka audience, whereas previously they were scared away by the word polka," Eddie Blazonczyk Jr. said. In Memory of Edward Eddie A. Blazonczyk Sr. Sign up for service and obituary updates. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. Rest in Peace my friend. The International Polka Association said on its Web site that Eddie Blazonczyk and the Versatones was unchallenged in its height as Americas No. This site is provided as a service of SCI Shared Resources, LLC. Sorry! Eddie Blazonczyk, Sr. (July 12, 1941 May 21, 2012) was a Grammy award-winning polka musician and founder of the band The Versatones. He started the record label in 1963. Saying Goodbye; my tribute to Eddie Blazonczyk who passed away much too soon, on May 21, 2012. Eddie Blazonczyk in 1986, the year before he won a Grammy. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. Eddie Blazonczyk. "After hearing his style of the music they weren't afraid of polka anymore. "He was very good at what he did," said Dave Ulczycki, president of the International Polka Association. "He attracted so many people to the polka audience, whereas previously they were scared away by the word polka," Eddie Blazonczyk Jr. said. ''He 1992 Returned with Marion Lush. "The Great Great Pumpkin", released on Lucky Four #1012, is probably the most noteworthy of these recordings. 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. 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 . All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. Blazonczyk retired in 2001 after suffering a stroke, and his son took over his band, Eddie Blazonczyk and the Versatones. In 1963 he started his label, Bel-Aire, and released the bands first album, Polka Parade; more than 60 albums followed. Some of his biggest hits include Angeline Be Mine Polka and Poor Boy Polka.. Review. With over 1,900 locations, Dignity Memorial providers proudly serve over 400,000 families a year. They knew it wasn't 'She's Too Fat For Me' or 'Roll Out the Barrel.' 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. Blazonczyk was known as the "Polka King" and started his own polka music label in the 1960s. (The polka category was eliminated in 2009.). I had what I refer to as \"the best seat in the house\"! His parents, who were Polish immigrants, owned the Pulaski Ballroom, where young Edward saw Marion Lush, Walter Jagiello (known as Lil Wally) and other leading polka acts of the day. He was 70. Blazonczyk was born to Polish immigrant parents on July 12, 1941, in Chicago. Find an Obituary. Try again later. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. Sign the Guest Book. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. His parents owned and operated the Pulaski Ballroom, where Eddie heard some of the most influential polka players of the day, such as Steve Adamczyk, Lil' Wally Jagiello, and Eddie Zima. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. They knew it wasn't 'She's Too Fat For Me' or 'Roll Out the Barrel.' After hearing his style of the music they werent afraid of polka anymore. "[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. 1990 Returned with Eddie Blazonczyk. He was 70. Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? Please enter your email and password to sign in. Copyright 2023 Newsday. His son said many friends have been sending him condolence messages since learning of his fathers death. 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. "For them this is truly the day that the music died," Blazonczyk said. Blkazonczyk won a Grammy in 1987 for Best Polka Recording for "Another Polka Celebration." 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. Leave a memory or share a photo or video below to show your support. The Versatones, which picked up a Grammy in 1987, played its last show on Dec. 31, 2011. He was 70. He met his wife, the former Christine Zielinski, known as Tish, at a polka dance in 1962. Send flowers or a gift to a service or family's home. He retired in 2001 after suffering health problems. All rights reserved. He was 70. (The polka category was eliminated in 2009.). This browser does not support getting your location. He was very good at what he did, said Dave Ulczycki, president of the International Polka Association. He joined the Versatones, so named because of their versatility. Eddie Blazonczyk Sr. 1941-2012. His music rocks, it rolls, it hops, it pushes. 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. Failed to delete memorial. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. Try again later. 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. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Resurrection Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleums, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/90601289/eddie-blazonczyk. His son said many friends have been sending him condolence messages since learning of his father's death. There was a problem getting your location. 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Let others know about your loved one's death. Blazonczyk was born to Polish immigrant parents on July 12, 1941, in Chicago. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. Blazonczyk was born to Polish immigrant parents on July 12, 1941, in Chicago. memorial page for Eddie Blazonczyk Sr. (12 Jul 1941-21 May 2012), Find a Grave Memorial ID 90601289, citing Resurrection Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleums, . We might permanently block any user who abuses these conditions. Jerry Tokarz, Ed Wolinski, Jim Sierzega, Eddie Blazonczyk, Rich Tokarz & Jerry Darlak - The Versatones "After hearing his style of the music they weren't afraid of polka anymore. Ridge Funeral Home. He has been called "one of the most important figures in the creation of the contemporary Polish-American polka sound." His parents operated music clubs in the city and he started playing in the 1950s with "Happy Eddie and his Polka . Within two years of that decision, Eddie Jr. said, his father was on tour nationally, playing polka music. 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. 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. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. He retired after having a stroke in late 2001, and his son led the Versatones until disbanding it last year. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. This is a more complete version of the story than the one that appeared in print. 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 also named a National Heritage Fellow by the National Endowment for the Arts in 1998. Blazonczyk earned many accolades throughout his career. Blazonczyk retired in 2001 after suffering a stroke, and his son took over his band, Eddie Blazonczyk and the Versatones. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. 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 . 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. Try again later. "[4] He released more than 60 albums. Or purchase a subscription for unlimited access to real news you can count on. 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 was 70. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. There was hardly any pay. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. Eddie Blazonczyk was born to Polish immigrant parents on July 12, 1941, in Chicago. 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. To use this feature, use a newer browser. Be sure to visit Rogers you tube channel for more great videos He was 70. Created with sketchtool. EDDIE BLAZONCZYK OBITUARY. 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. From breaking news to special features and documentaries, the NewsdayTV team is covering the issues that matter to you. 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. 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. Try again. They knew it was an evolution of the music.". 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. 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. 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. OBITUARY Edward Eddie A. Blazonczyk Sr. July 12, 1941 - May 21, 2012. After suffering a stroke in 2001, he retired and his son Eddie Blazonczyk Jr. led the band for another full a decade. CHICAGO (AP) - Grammy Award-winning polka great Eddie Blazonczyk, who began playing the lively music in the 1950s and went on to earn . 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 . For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. ''It beat the hell out of you,'' Eddie Jr. remembers his father telling him. He met his wife, the former Christine Zielinski, known as Tish, at a polka dance in 1962. Obituary; Grief Recovery Center; Start a Family Tree Find a Funeral Home; Death of Eddie . 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, h 1 Polka Band. Blazonczyk was a member of the associations Polka Music Hall of Fame. Mr. Blazonczyk was named a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellow in 1998. 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. 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. Help tell the story of your loved ones unique life. For them this is truly the day that the music died, Blazonczyk said. 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 . 1 Polka Band. Mr. Blazonczyk was a member of the associations Polka Music Hall of Fame.