Frankie Yankovic
|
|
Frankie Yankovic (July 15, 1915 - October 14, 1998) was a polka musician of Slovenian origin from Cleveland, Ohio. Known as America's Polka King, he was the premier artist to play in the Slovenian style.
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.
Yankovic was not related to "Weird Al" Yankovic, but Al did play accordion for "Who Stole the Keeshka" on one of Frankie's final records, Songs of the Polka King, Vol. 1.
See also
External links
- Biography on Polkas.com (http://www.polkas.com/yankovic/yankbio.htm)
- Newspaper Article (http://www.sunnews.com/news/1998/1022/efrank2.htm)
- Biography on ElvisPelvis.com (http://elvispelvis.com/frankyankovic.htm)
- Lifetime Achievement Honoree, sample music (http://www.clevelandstyle.com/lifetimeachievement/yankovic.html)
- Memorial on Polkas.com (http://www.polkas.com/yankovic/memorial.htm)
- Dennis Kucinich's letter to Clinton in support of awarding Yaknovic a National Medal of Arts (http://www.house.gov/kucinich/info/polka_artsmedal.htm)