Frankie Yankovic

Frankie Yankovic

Frankie Yankovic (July 15, 1915 Davis, West Virginia - October 14, 1998) was a grammy award winning polka musician. Known as "America's Polka King," Yankovic was the premier artist to play in the Slovenian style during a long and successful career.

Background

Of Slovene descent, he was from Cleveland, Ohio. Yankovic released over 200 recordings in his career. In 1986 he was awarded the first ever Grammy in the Best Polka Recording category.

Yankovic seldom strayed from the Slovenian-style polka, but did record with country singer Chet Atkins, pop singer Don Everly, and a version of the “Too Fat Polka” with comedian Drew Carey, also from Cleveland. Frankie Yankovic also had a longstanding relationship with accordion virtuoso Joey Miskulin.

History

Yankovic enlisted in the Armed Forces in 1943, and cut numerous (believed to be 28 'sides') 78 rpm records while on leave, prior to his departure for Europe. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge, where a severe case of frostbite nearly resulted in the amputation of his hands and feet; fortunately, he was able to beat the gangrene before that became necessary, and was awarded a Purple Heart. The doctors urged him to have his fingers amputated, but he refused, since that would mean he would not be able to play the accordion.

Frankie Yankovic hit the national scene when he earned two platinum singles for Just Because (1947) and Blue Skirt Waltz (1949). Frankie Yankovic obtained the title of America's Polka King after beating Duke Ellington in a battle of the bands in Milwaukee at the Milwaukee Arena.

For popularity, longevity, records sales, radio airplay and TV appearances, Frank Yankovic was the undisputed "Polka King" for decades. He had appeared on the Lawrence Welk Show as well as the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. The State of Wisconsin adopted the 'Polka' as its official dance, with the encouragement of Yankovic.

Yankovic also hosted the television series Polka Time for Buffalo, New York-based WKBW-TV for 26 weeks in 1962. He commuted from Cleveland to host each episode, which aired live. He also hosted a similar show at WGN-TV Chicago at about the same time.

Yankovic won a grammy award in 1986 for his album "70 Years of Hits". He was the first winner in the Polka category. The NARAS (Grammy) organization dropped the category in 2008.

Yankovic is not related to "Weird Al" Yankovic (who himself has been known to perform polka), although Al did play accordion for "Who Stole the Kishka?" on one of Frankie's final records, Songs of the Polka King, Vol. 1.

Yankovic died on October 14, 1998, in New Port Richey, Florida, due to heart failure, at the age of 83. He was buried in Cleveland's Calvary Cemetery. Hundreds of friends, family, his loyal fans and fellow musicians showed up to send him off.

At his peak, Yankovic was performing on the road in 325 shows a year. Before he died, Yankovic had sold 30 million records.

Square in Frankie's hometown named in his honor

Intersection signpost

The Square at the intersection of Waterloo Rd. and East 152nd St. in Cleveland 41.569°N 81.5752°W / 41.569; -81.5752, not far from where Frankie grew up, was named in honor of Frankie Yankovic in a dedication ceremony on August 21, 2007.

Dave Wolnik, Frankie's long time drummer, observed in the Bob Dolgan biography of Yankovic published last year that the famed musician didn't have a street named for him in his own hometown. That launched a campaign for the square by the National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame and Museum and City Councilman Michael Polensek, according to Dolgan.

Former band members

• Adolph Poczatek (Pozatek) (1911-1984) Violin, Tenor Banjo, Plectrum Banjo, Accordion, Mandolin, Cordiovox, Guitar, Piano. Toured and Recorded with Frankie throughout his Career. Appearances on Phil Donahue Show, Lawrence Welk, among many live radio show broadcasts. His original Band, was The Polka Aces-known in the Chicago Community. Adolph Poczatek also frequently appeared with polka bands including Verne Meisner, Roman Posedi, and Joe Kovich.
• Johnny Pecon
• Georgie Cook - Banjo player, who helped Yankovic establish the 'Cleveland Sound'.
• Joey Miskulin - Began Playing with Frankie Yankovic in 1962 at the age of 13. This was the start of a relationship that has lasted for the next 35 years. Joey developed his skill with the accordion and music while touring with the Band. Joey began writing and arranging songs for Yankovic, eventually arranging and producing Frankie's albums which included the Grammy Award Winning album "70 Years of Hits".
• Jeff Winard - Accomplished accordionist from Milwaukee, traveled with Yankovic in later years.

See also

• Slovenian Americans

Further reading

Dolgan, Bob (2006). America's Polka King: The Real Story of Frankie Yankovic. Cleveland, OH: Gray & Company, Publishers. ISBN 978-1-59851-026-3

External links

• Sample text from the book America's Polka King by Bob Dolgan
• Polkas.com: Frank Yankovic...America's Polka King
• Newspaper Article
• Biography on ElvisPelvis.com
• Lifetime Achievement Honoree, sample music
• Dennis Kucinich's letter to Clinton in support of awarding Yankovic a National Medal of Arts
• Profile of Frank Yankovic at The Remington Site
• New York Times article of Yankovic's death
• "Weird Al" Yankovic at the BBC