Eddie Blazonczyk
Born in Chicago in 1941 Eddie Blazonczyk grew up listening to the leading polka acts from around the country. He did this by spending much of his childhood at his Polish immigrant parents owned business, the Pulaski ballroom.
In true teenage style Eddie initially rebelled against his polka roots and played in rock’n’roll bands, touring with Buddy Holly and Gene Vincent. It didn’t take long for Eddie to cross over from the world of rock to the grass roots music of his ethnic heritage.
Starting Bel-Aire records in 1963, after realizing larger labels no longer had any interest in polka music, Eddie and his band the Versatones attracted some of the best polka artists. For the next two decades Chicago was considered by many to be the nation’s polka capital. With over 60 albums to his name this Grammy award winning polka artist toured widely and was also named a National Heritage Fellow.
In 2001 he retired and his son took over the band. Eddie Blazonczyk passed away in Palos Heights, Illinois in 2012. He was 70 years old.