Frank John "Frankie" Yankovic (July 28, 1915 â€" October 14, 1998) was
an American accordion player and polka musician. Known as "America's
Polka King," Yankovic was considered the premier artist to play in the
Slovenian style during his long career. He was not related to fellow
accordionist "Weird Al" Yankovic, although the two collaborated.Born
to Slovene immigrant parents, Yankovic was raised in the Collinwood
neighborhood on Cleveland's East Side. He released over 200 recordings
in his career. In 1986 he was awarded the first ever Grammy in the
Best Polka Recording category. He rarely strayed from Slovenian-style
polka, but did record with country guitarist Chet Atkins and pop
singer Don Everly. He also recorded a version of the "Too Fat Polka"
with comedian Drew Carey.Yankovic's father, a blacksmith, and his
mother, a cook, met in a lumber camp in West Virginia where they both
worked. When Yankovic was young, his father moved to Cleveland to
escape authorities who learned of his bootlegging, and the rest of the
family followed shortly thereafter. While living in Cleveland, he
became enthralled by the brass bands that played at Slovenian social
functions. His mother took on boarders to help with the family
finances, including a man named Max Zelodec who performed Slovenian
tunes on a button box. Yankovic acquired an accordion at age 9, and
received a few lessons from Zelodec. By the late 1920s, in his early
teenage years, he was a working musician, playing for community
events. In the 1930s, he formed a business relationship with Joe
Trolli and began making radio appearances on stations such as WJAY and
WGAR. As his reputation spread, he sought opportunities to make
records, but the major labels turned him down. His first records were
made for the Yankee and Joliet labels operated by Fred Wolf, and the
expenses were paid for by Yankovic himself.In 1940, he married his
first wife June, and they began to raise a family. However, the
expenses of family life quickly overcame the incoming money from his
music career, so he opened a tavern, calling it the Yankovic Bar. It
became a popular hangout for local musicians, and he continued to run
it until he sold it in 1948, dedicating himself to the accordion.
an American accordion player and polka musician. Known as "America's
Polka King," Yankovic was considered the premier artist to play in the
Slovenian style during his long career. He was not related to fellow
accordionist "Weird Al" Yankovic, although the two collaborated.Born
to Slovene immigrant parents, Yankovic was raised in the Collinwood
neighborhood on Cleveland's East Side. He released over 200 recordings
in his career. In 1986 he was awarded the first ever Grammy in the
Best Polka Recording category. He rarely strayed from Slovenian-style
polka, but did record with country guitarist Chet Atkins and pop
singer Don Everly. He also recorded a version of the "Too Fat Polka"
with comedian Drew Carey.Yankovic's father, a blacksmith, and his
mother, a cook, met in a lumber camp in West Virginia where they both
worked. When Yankovic was young, his father moved to Cleveland to
escape authorities who learned of his bootlegging, and the rest of the
family followed shortly thereafter. While living in Cleveland, he
became enthralled by the brass bands that played at Slovenian social
functions. His mother took on boarders to help with the family
finances, including a man named Max Zelodec who performed Slovenian
tunes on a button box. Yankovic acquired an accordion at age 9, and
received a few lessons from Zelodec. By the late 1920s, in his early
teenage years, he was a working musician, playing for community
events. In the 1930s, he formed a business relationship with Joe
Trolli and began making radio appearances on stations such as WJAY and
WGAR. As his reputation spread, he sought opportunities to make
records, but the major labels turned him down. His first records were
made for the Yankee and Joliet labels operated by Fred Wolf, and the
expenses were paid for by Yankovic himself.In 1940, he married his
first wife June, and they began to raise a family. However, the
expenses of family life quickly overcame the incoming money from his
music career, so he opened a tavern, calling it the Yankovic Bar. It
became a popular hangout for local musicians, and he continued to run
it until he sold it in 1948, dedicating himself to the accordion.
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