Over the years, frank has appeared on many other tv programs such as johnny carson, phil donahue, arthur godfrey, pattie page, jackie gleason, kate smith, david frost and of course, lawrence welk. Frankie yankovic americas polka king the year was 1915. The real story of frankie yankovic and his music bob dolgan on. Its a letdown, then, that the storys boldest stance about this saga is that its a very goofy true story and ripe for a cartoonish take. Davis, west virginia would go down in history as the birthplace of americas polka king, frankie yankovic. He has played all the major ballrooms across the country. America s polka king, frankie yankovic, featuring joey miskulin on accordian. Slovenia polka is about having a good time you dont have to push it its just fun, says gorski. Although now gone, he will always be the polka king. America s polka king dvd since this is the first dvd on the polka king, i was expecting a bunch of blurry, low quality production videos thrown onto a disc and called a documentary. He continued to record for the cleveland international label, which in 1996 released songs of the polka king, vol. Host rick gundrum does a great job interviewing america s polka king frank yankovic and his long time accordionist joey miskulin. America s undisputed polka king, frankie yankovic did more to popularize polka music than any other single performer, and remains the yardstick by which all other polka artists are measured. This music spotlight was produced in 1984 for wyms 88.
Frankie yankovic, polka king, his yanks, remington. See also sheet music, accordion books, video tapes, and souvenirs. Frank yankovic, the hardworking singer and accordionist who was crowned the polka king at a polka contest in milwaukee in 1948 and was known by. Songs featured include hits from the 1940s and 50s, such as blue skirt waltz, beer barrel polka, just because and dance. He is not related to fellow accordionist weird al yankovic, although the two have collaborated. This documentary takes a comprehensive look at the life and career of american polka king frank yankovic. Americas polka king movie now family video javascript seems to be disabled in your browser.
Ranger doug idol of american youth on archtop guitar and baritone vocals. The film shows without a doubt that yankovic had the power to move people to touch their hearts, to make them laugh and dance and sing. I got the original vhs tape of this program from ida yankovic, frankie s widow, some years back. Frank yankovic, longreigning polka king, is dead at 83. Frank yankovic was the first polka artist to score a million selling single in 1948 just because.
Americas polka king is a documentary that takes a comprehensive look at the life and career of the american. Jews, and scandinavians, luminaries like frankie yankovic, the polka king, and whoopee john wilfart became household names to millions of americans. Discover more music, concerts, videos, and pictures with the largest catalogue online at. Known as america s polka king, yankovic was considered the premier artist to play in the slovenian style during his long career.
Streaming and by permanent download to your computer andor device. Known as america s polka king, he was the premier artist to play in the slovenian style. Frank yankovic achieved national fame and was crowned america s polka king. Polka king frankie yankovic gave birth to a new music. The grammy award for best polka album was an award presented at the grammy awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the gramophone awards, to recording artists for quality polka albums. Americas polka king, modern and contemporary art of the dominican republic, onsite safety, and the band 1998. Reluctantly forced by his age to sit down when he performed, yankovic announced his retirement in 1994. Albums include groundhog day, 25 polka greats 25 of the greatest polka tunes ever, and blue skirt waltz charlie was a boxer. Music profile for frankie yankovic, born 28 july 1915. The first award went to frankie yankovic, known as americas polka king, for his 70.
Songs featured include several hits from the peak of his career during the 1940s and 50s, such as the blue skirt waltz, just because, dance, dance, dance, and the beer barrel polka. Polka remains a popular folk music genre in many european countries, and is performed by folk artists in the czech republic, poland, germany, austria, slovenia, switzerland, finland and to a. Accordionist joey, the cowpolka king, plays both ends against the middle, as. Posted feb 22, 2009 by damon sims, northeast ohio media group. From 1956 to 1975, polka varieties ran solely in wewstv, cleveland, on sunday afternoons from 1.
In december 1995 america s polka king frankie yankovic would join canadas polka king walter ostanek along with brian sklar and the western senators for one final tour. Frankie yankovic polka king on collectors choice music. Documentary on the life and career of accordionist and singer, frank yankovic. He was an original superstar with his biggest heydays being the late 1940s and early 1950s. Frankie yankovic july 15, 1915 davis, west virginia october 14, 1998 was a polka musician.
Jan 25, 2018 host rick gundrum does a great job interviewing america s polka king frank yankovic and his long time accordionist joey miskulin. Frank yankovic, known as america s polka king, ensured that the polka not only endured as a folk pop form, but positively thrived, gaining a national audience in the united states. With a tumultuous touring schedule that consisted of 200 shows a year, a restless temper and three failed marriages, yankovic found himself being distanced from reality. Frank frankie yankovic, america s polka king, on a polka tune arranged by don garbor. Happy time polkas by frankie yankovic album myspace. Its time for the white man to leave the building 28 august 2019 variety tv news. If you ever heard or have seen frank yankovic perform, you have to read this book. Americas undisputed polka ruler, frankie yankovic did more to popularize polka music than some other solitary performer, and remains to be the yardstick where all the polka performers are measured. American polka legend frank yankovic used to be the star of this annual event, until his death eight years ago. Frank john frankie yankovic was a grammy awardwinning polka musician. The real story of frankie yankovic and his music na. Provided to youtube by the orchard enterprises beer barrel polka frankie yankovic and his accordion the yanks vintage world no. He died on october 14, 1998 in new port richey, florida, usa. The peak years of america s polka king are poorly represented on cd, which makes this twodisc set of frankie yankovic s complete standard radio transcriptions an essential document of his early years as a columbia recording artist.
For bobby yankovic, son of the polka king, drugs and. He released countless amounts of recordings and hits. Frankie is a hometown boy his hometown and mine are only 14 miles from each other and his musicianship is great. This is a onehour documentary on the career of one of the most beloved entertainers in the history of american popular music. If you ever heard or saw frank yankovic perform, you have to read this book. America s polka king video 2010 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Get your kindle here, or download a free kindle reading app. America s polka king featuring accordion great joey miskulin and several other guests. I loved the documentary, and it really did frankie justice. America was ready to throw off the restrictions of the war, and yankovic s sound was right in step. This single could have been recorded in 1942, before yankovic enlisted. The night frank yankovic came to town featuring roger martindavid allan coe 2.
In accordance with the directives of government and health authorities, we have temporarily suspended operations. Americas polka king featuring accordion great joey miskulin and several other guests. Chicken dance the original party music classic by polka. He took the american and the german version of the film carnival with him to america for finishing it off. Andy and rose yankovic, parents of three young daughters, welcomed their only son into the world.
Aug 03, 2011 the film is a backstage pass to franks life. I got the original vhs tape of this program from ida yankovic, frankies widow, some years back. Dolgan did a masterful job in putting this book together. Frank frankie yankovic, america s polka king, performing a selftitled polka tune with his orchestra. Coolio claimed that al invited him to appear in weird als 3d film als brain, but the. He was the first to win a grammy for best polka album when the category was created in 1985. The 43 best polka songs for weddings 2020 my wedding songs.
After the remingtons and masterseal reissues, he recorded several columbia stereo discs like the alltime great polkas and the alltime great waltzes. Don garbor, the arranger of the tune, bought the and continued to release this and other yankovic singles from 1948 and on. The polka is originally a czech dance and genre of dance music familiar. Frank john frankie yankovic was an american accordion player and polka musician. Frank john frankie yankovic july 28, 1915 october 14, 1998 was an american accordion player and polka musician. It originated in the middle of the 19th century in bohemia, now part of the czech republic. For bobby yankovic, son of the polka king, drugs and drinking led to holdups and prison updated mar 28, 2019.
During the late 1940s and 1950s, nearly everyone who listened to the radio or watched television had heard of frank yankovic s music. Americas polka king dvd since this is the first dvd on the polka king, i was expecting a bunch of blurry, low quality production videos thrown onto a disc and called a documentary. A passion for polka by victor greene hardcover university of. Yankovic released his version as a free myspace download to avoid starting trouble with atlantic. Author bob dolgan delves into the life of america s polka king and tells the tale of not only a musician, but of a man struggling for happiness. Home news store download tour discography photosvideo about contact. Provided to youtube by cdbaby slick umbrella polka frankie yankovic the early years. Frank yankovic, americas polka king dvd video, 2010. Frankie yankovic and his yanks americas polka king discogs. Hundreds of polka fans from around the country will descend on cleveland tomorrow to dance off the extra pounds gained from their thanksgiving meals. Yankovic was the 1st polka designer to rating a millionselling solitary 1948s because, the first ever to perform on tv, and the first ever to. Considered americas polka king, frankie yankovic, helped popularize polka music in. Frankie yankovic led the way with much of the music he recorded.
Frank yankovic page in fuller up, dead musician directory. Frankie yankovic polka videos walter ostanek polka band. Yankovic released over 200 recordings in his career. Rees was educated at colorado college, and the university of wisconsin. The original party music classic by polka king frankie yankovic the chicken dance, beer barrell polka and more.
Jan 12, 2018 the polka king adds to this mix one of the most complicated characters when it comes to sympathy and what determines a good or bad person. Yankovic modernized the folk music of central and eastern europe for american audiences. Frankie received the first grammy award in the polka category in 1986. This film hosted by myron floren is a comprehensive documentary about the life and 50year career of grammy award winner frank yankovic, an extraordinary american musician and performer. Songs featured include several hits from the peak of his career during the 1940s and 50s. Polka music made its way into america with immigrants from eastern europe. During the late 1940s and 1950s, nearly everyone who listened to the radio or watched television had heard of frank yankovics music. Frank yankovic and his orchestra, frank yankovic and his picnic people, frankie yankovic and his yanks, frankie yankovic and the yankee doodlers, frankie yankovic s slovene orchestra, joliet jolly jugoslavs. Yankovic was the first polka artist to score a millionsell. The polka is originally a czech dance and genre of dance music familiar throughout europe and the americas. The program featured various popular polish, slovenian, italian, and bohemianstyle bands. Digitized from a shellac record, at 78 revolutions per minute. America s polka king frank yankovic was the original band to perform on the. America s polka king dvd since this is the first dvd on the polka king, i was expecting a bunch of blurry, low quality production videos thrown onto a disc.
In fact, in 1948 yankovic won the first of his three titles as america s polka king three times running when the competition was new. You know the ones the 1,009 different beatles unofficial biography dvds out there that are low budget. Here is some classic music that has been rereleased on cd. Frankie yankovics songs stream online music songs listen.
Yankovic, frankie songs of the polka king volume 2. Jul 21, 2014 because frankie yankovic shared the family s surname and was known as america s polka king, al s parents chose the squeezebox for their son. Frankie yankovic bio, wiki 2017 musician biographies. He is not related to fellow accordionist weird al yankovic.
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