"After hearing his style of the music they weren't afraid of polka anymore. <p> Please enter your email and password to sign in. Leave a memory or share a photo or video below to show your support. Also music for daddy-o's by Horace Silver, Johnny Cash, Lightnin' Hopkins, Gene Austin, and Regina Carter. 0 cemeteries found in Justice, Cook County, Illinois, USA. 1976 Member of Eddie Blazonczyk's Versatones. Within two years of that decision, Eddie Jr. said, his father was on tour nationally, playing polka music. Please omit flowers. Mr. Blazonczyk was born on July 12, 1941, in Chicago. 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. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. During this period Blazonczyk toured with Buddy Holly, Gene Vincent and Brenda Lee. He was 70. EDDIE BLAZONCZYK OBITUARY. 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 . 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. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. GRAMMY-winning polka artist Eddie Blazonczyk Sr. died May 22. But polka was growing. Anyone can read what you share. 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. (The polka category was eliminated in 2009.). Listen to Hour 1; Listen to Hour 2; View Show Playlist Please try again later. He won a Grammy Award, kept a vigorous touring schedule You need a Find a Grave account to continue. 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. Sympathy Ideas. (Khue Bui/AP). As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. English By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy. Rest in Peace my friend. 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 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. 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. Try again. Blazonczyk was born to Polish immigrant parents on July 12, 1941, in Chicago. You can always change this later in your Account settings. He was 70. Visitation Wednesday and Thursday 3 to 9 p.m. (708) 301-3595 or www.modellfh.com. I was fortunate enough to perform as a Versatone from 1987-1994, and in that time I spent over 1000 nights with Eddie onstage. Tyler Morning Telegraph. Visitation will take place on Wednesday, May 23rd and Thursday, May 24th from 3-9pm Chicago Time . Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. . Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. (The polka category was eliminated in 2009.). Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. "[4] He released more than 60 albums. 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. We have set your language to Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. He was 70. By the time Mr. Blazonczyk began his career, it was receding from the mainstream, but the music, and the social rituals surrounding He was very good at what he did, said Dave Ulczycki, president of the International Polka Association. [3] He has been called "one of the most important figures in the creation of the contemporary Polish-American polka sound. 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. 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. A cause of death was not revealed. Eddie Blazonczyk in 1986, the year before he won a Grammy. She and their son Eddie Jr. survive him, as do another son, Anthony; a daughter, Katherine; and three grandchildren. (PHOTOGRAPH BY ASSOCIATED PRESS). and I wanted to try my hand at that.''. 1 Polka Band. Mr. Blazonczyk was a member of the associations Polka Music Hall of Fame. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. Keep supporting great journalism by turning off your ad blocker. Ridge Funeral Home. We invite you to use our commenting platform to engage in insightful conversations about issues in our community. EDDIE BLAZONCZYK OBITUARY. BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. (CBS) -- Eddie Blazonczyk, the man known as Chicago's polka king, has died at the age of 70. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. Or purchase a subscription for unlimited access to real news you can count on. . 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 OBITUARY Edward Eddie A. Blazonczyk Sr. July 12, 1941 - May 21, 2012. Blazonczyk Sr. died of natural causes at age 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. 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. From breaking news to special features and documentaries, the NewsdayTV team is covering the issues that matter to you. 2023 SCI SHARED RESOURCES, LLC. '', The sound had traces of rock, left over from Mr. Blazonczyk's days in the early 1960s recording rockabilly under the name Eddy Bell, for Mercury and other labels. Rest in Peace my friend. He was 70. 1990 Returned with Eddie Blazonczyk. EDDIE BLAZONCZYK OBITUARY. 2023 SCI SHARED RESOURCES, LLC. His label, Bel-Aire Recordings, confirmed the death but did not disclose the cause. 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], Before becoming a polka artist, and founding Chicago-based Bel-Aire Records in 1963, Eddie Blazonczyk recorded under the name Eddy Bell for Mercury Records, Versa Records, and Lucky Four Records, all three labels based in Chicago. accordion. Failed to delete memorial. Help tell the story of your loved ones unique life. Eddie Blazonczyk, Sr. (July 12, 1941 - May 21, 2012) was a Grammy award-winning polka musician and founder of the band The Versatones. 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. Blazonczyk's record label, Bel-Aire Recordings, says Blazonczyk died Monday, May 21, 2012, of natural causes at a hospital Palos Heights, Ill. This recording is still occasionally heard around Halloween and is highly sought by record collectors. Within two years of that decision, Eddie Jr. said, his father was on tour nationally, playing polka music. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. Mr. Blazonczyk retired in 2001 after suffering a stroke, and his son Eddie Blazonczyk Jr. took over his band, Eddie Blazonczyk and the Versatones. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. Edward Eddie A. Blazonczyk Sr. 12 July, 1941 - 21 May, 2012. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. 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. Add to your scrapbook. Try again later. Your entry has exceeded the maximum character limit. He was 70. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Blazonczyk has said, "I took his advice, and never regretted it. He was a big force for what it means to be Polish in America.. Blazonczyk's record label, Bel-Aire Recordings, says Blazonczyk died Monday, May 21, 2012, of natural causes at a hospital Palos Heights, Ill. ----Kevin Adams - 05/23/2012 He met his wife, the former Christine Zielinski, known as Tish, at a polka dance in 1962. ''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. He was 70. She and their son Eddie Jr. survive him, as do another son, Anthony; a daughter, Katherine; and three grandchildren. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. They knew it was an evolution of the music.". Saying Goodbye; my tribute to Eddie Blazonczyk who passed away much too soon, on May 21, 2012. 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 International Polka Association said on its Web site that Eddie Blazonczyk and the Versatones was unchallenged in its height as Americas No. 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 . Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. A news release says Blazonczyk died Monday. Eddie Blazonczyk was born to Polish immigrant parents on July 12, 1941, in Chicago. His parents operated music clubs in the city and he started playing in the 1950s with "Happy Eddie and his . Blazonczyk played many instruments but preferred the bass, and he sang lyrics in both English and Polish. Person to be their own family member you need a Find a Grave eddie blazonczyk obituary to continue leave a or. Were n't afraid of polka anymore reported and will not be visible while under.. Started playing in the creation of the associations polka music Hall of Fame button! 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