R.I.P : Eddie BELL, has died at the age of 70

Posted by themusicsover on May 21, 2012


Eddie Bell, born "Eddie Blazonczyk"
July 12, 1941 – May 21, 2012

Known as the Polka King, Eddie Blazonczyk rose to prominence during the 1950s. He first began playing at Polish festival in and around Chicago
as Happy Eddie and his Polka Jesters. For a time during his early years, he made pop music as Eddie Bell and the Bel-Aires, even performing on
American Bandstand. But in 1962, he returned to polka and formed the Versatones. He quickly became the biggest name in American polka. In
1963, he founded his own record label, Bel-Aire Records. Throughout the years, Blazonczyk released over 30 albums, with his 1986 release,
Another Polka Celebration earning him a Grammy. And in 1998, he was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship.
After suffering a stroke, Blazonczyk retired from performing in 2002. Eddie Blazoczyk was 70 when he passed away on May 21, 2012.

He was born in Chicago to Polish immigrant parents, and in 1986, his album, “Another Polka Celebration,” won a Grammy award.

Blazonczyk was also awarded a National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts in 1998.

Blazonczyk became a polka artist and founded the Chicago-based Bel-Aire Records in 1963, according to the release. Before that, he recorded
rockabilly and novelty songs for Mercury and Lucky Four records under the name Eddy Bell.

The best known of Blazonczyk’s pre-polka releases was “the Great Great Pumpkin,” released in 1961. But soon afterward, Lucky Four Records
owner Lennie LaCour said Blazonczyk, then 22, should focus instead on polka music.

“I took his advice, and never regretted it,” Blazonczyk said in the release.

Blazonczyk was a member of the International Polka Hall of Fame and the Broadcasters Hall of Fame. He retired from performing in 2002, and
turned over responsibility for his band, the Versatones, to his son, Eddie Jr.

The Versatones ended their run after a performance this past New Year’s Eve.

A prayer service will be at 9:30 a.m. Friday at Modell Funeral Home, 12641 W. 143rd St., Homer Glen; followed by 11 a.m. Mass at Sts. Cyril &
Methodius Church, 608 Sobieski St., Lemont. Visitation 3 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at Modell Funeral Home.


Source : HERE