BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. (CBS) -- Eddie Blazonczyk, the man known as Chicago's polka king, has died at the age of 70. In Memory Of Edward Eddie A. Blazonczyk Sr. Sign up for service and obituary updates. Blazonczyk retired in 2001 after suffering a stroke, and his son took over his band, Eddie Blazonczyk and the Versatones. He joined the Versatones, so named because of their versatility. Jerry Tokarz, Ed Wolinski, Jim Sierzega, Eddie Blazonczyk, Rich Tokarz & Jerry Darlak - The Versatones Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. He was 70. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. 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 . Created with sketchtool. He was born in Chicago to Polish immigrant . 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. But polka was growing. Resurrection Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleums, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/90601289/eddie-blazonczyk. He was 70. Mr. Blazonczyk was named a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellow in 1998. 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. Send flowers or a gift to a service or family's home. He was also named a National Heritage Fellow by the National Endowment for the Arts in 1998. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. 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. Musician. EDDIE BLAZONCZYK OBITUARY. Some of his biggest hits include Angeline Be Mine Polka and Poor Boy Polka.. Help tell the story of your loved ones unique life. 0 cemeteries found in Justice, Cook County, Illinois, USA. 1976 Member of Eddie Blazonczyk's Versatones. 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. The horn riffs in and out and around in intricate patterns that . Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? Try again later. Blazonczyk was known as the "Polka King" and started his own polka music label in the 1960s. Please enter your email and password to sign in. Mr. Blazonczyk was born on July 12, 1941, in Chicago. Send a note, share a story or upload a photo. With over 1,900 locations, Dignity Memorial providers proudly serve over 375,000 families a year. EDDIE BLAZONCZYK OBITUARY. Sympathy Ideas. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. . 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 . Eddie Blazonczyk. 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. Eddie Blazonczyk Sr. U.S., Newspapers.com Obituary Index, 1800s-current. 2023 SCI SHARED RESOURCES, LLC. It's time for saying goodbye\". I was fortunate enough to perform as a Versatone from 1987-1994, and in that time I spent over 1000 nights with Eddie onstage. [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. Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. 1994 With Lenny Gomulka Band to his passing in 2014. was a big force for what it means to be Polish in America.''. Blazonczyk was known as the "Polka . Try again. 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. He started the record label in 1963. They knew it was an evolution of the music.". 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. Eddie Blazonczyk was born to Polish immigrant parents on July 12, 1941, in Chicago. 1 Polka Band." They knew it wasn't 'She's Too Fat For Me' or 'Roll Out the Barrel.' 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. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. Palos Heights, Cook County, Illinois, USA. There was a problem getting your location. 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 born to Polish immigrant parents 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. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. He was 70. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. Grief Support. This site is provided as a service of SCI Shared Resources, LLC. Obituaries Section Created with sketchtool. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. Mr. Blazonczyk was born on July 12, 1941, in Chicago. 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. With over 1,900 locations, Dignity Memorial providers proudly serve over 400,000 families a year. Blazonczyk, Sr., Edward A. His son said many friends have been sending him condolence messages since learning of his fathers death. Try again later. (PHOTOGRAPH BY ASSOCIATED PRESS). His label, Bel-Aire Recordings, confirmed the death but did not disclose the cause. <p> "[9], The Versatones played a mix of both traditional and original tunes, with Blazonczyk singing in both Polish and English. Then, five years ago last month, Blazonczyk suffered a stroke that affected his left side. 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 . 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. He was also named a National Heritage Fellow by the National Endowment for the Arts in 1998. 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 Share this memorial using social media sites or email. Mr. Blazonczyk retired in 2001 after suffering a stroke, and his son Eddie Blazonczyk Jr. took over his band, Eddie Blazonczyk and the Versatones. Make sure that the file is a photo. 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. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. The Versatones, which picked up a Grammy in 1987, played their last show on Dec. 31, 2011. He was 70. Verify and try again. Created with sketchtool. Blkazonczyk won a Grammy in 1987 for Best Polka Recording for "Another Polka Celebration." 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. Within two years of that decision, Eddie Jr. said, his father was on tour nationally, playing polka music. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. 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. Blazonczyk played many instruments but preferred the bass, and he sang lyrics in both English and Polish. 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This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. They knew it wasnt Shes Too Fat For Me or Roll Out the Barrel. They knew it was an evolution of the music.. The Versatones, which picked up a Grammy in 1987, played their last show on Dec. 31, 2011. "The Great Great Pumpkin", released on Lucky Four #1012, is probably the most noteworthy of these recordings. Also music for daddy-o's by Horace Silver, Johnny Cash, Lightnin' Hopkins, Gene Austin, and Regina Carter. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? Rest in Peace my friend. In Memory of Edward Eddie A. Blazonczyk Sr. Sign up for service and obituary updates. 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. Anyone can read what you share. The band formed in 1962 and toured North America and Europe. He retired after having a stroke in late 2001, and his son led the Versatones until disbanding it last year. 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. 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. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. This is a carousel with slides. The Versatones, which picked up a Grammy in 1987, played their last show on Dec. 31, 2011. 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