1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wanna dance?, May 10, 2007
This review is from: America's Polka King: The Real Story of Frankie Yankovic and His Music (Paperback)
Cleveland has been internationally renowned for its symphonic Orchestra since shortly after it was formed in 1918. In the late 1900s, we became the home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. In between these two events, however, Clevelanders knew--and danced to--a different kind of music. This music was by Frank, as in Yankovic, the man who made the words `polka' and `Cleveland' nearly synonymous from the late thirties until his death in 1998. 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. (It was sponsored by the major record companies, each of which had at least one polka band in their collection.)
He won the first-ever Grammy Award for polka music. Just his name alone drew the largest crowds ever to many dance halls throughout the midwest during a time of less mobility than in our current era. It was also a time when the media wasn't always busy creating the new hotshot.
Ten famous accordionists played for his funeral--one of the largest ever seen in Cleveland.
Recently-retired sportswriter for the Plain Dealer, Bob Dolgan, who knew Yankovic when they were both hardly more than pups, has written an engaging book about "America's Polka King - the real story of Frankie Yankovic." Yankovic, who was not born in Cleveland, certainly made it his homebase (as much as anywhere) for most of his adult life. Dolgan tells it like it was--the shiny and the tarnished parts--without dwelling on those bits that might possibly be considered a tad unsavory. This is a portrait of a real person.
Yankovic was a natural on the stage--a born entertainer, who loved what he did, unqualifiedly, and made sure the people in the audience enjoyed themselves as well. The ones who suffered most were his family--wives and children who remained behind in Cleveland, while he toured for 325 days a year. The flip side of that is that he earned an excellent living by doing so, and none of his three wives or ten children ever went without anything he (or they) thought they needed--except for his presence or companionship.
It may come as a surprise to some to discover that polkas are not exclusively Polish. There are many differences between the Polish and Slovenian varieties, and Yankovic was entirely Slovenian. Once he learned how to play the accordion, he was a gifted musician, able to write lyrics to go with melodies that he wrote, or to put American lyrics to older Slovenian or Italian folk songs. Either way, he quickly made the new song his own, and happily shared with his huge audience. His biggest hits were "Blue Skirt Waltz," "Just Because" and "In Heaven There is no Beer".
Dolgan also honors other Cleveland polka greats: Johnny Pecon and his sons Jeff and John, Jr., Lou Trebar, Eddie Habat, Kenny Bass, Johnny Vadnal, Jimmy Sturr, George Staiduhar, Dan Wojtila, Don Wojtila, Ed Sumrada, Tony Petkovsek and Joey Miskulin. There are photos, an index and a splendid discography, in addition to the history of Cleveland through the 1900s, told as a framework to the man and his music.
It's too bad that Yankovic didn't listen (or pay attention) to another popular song of his era, however. "You Always Hurt the One You Love," might have saved him some heartaches along the way. Or maybe not. He was one of a kind--a showman through and through, and as Dolgan says, "He brought a lot of joy to a lot of people." Not a bad epitaph, after all.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Like His Music, Yankovic's Life Story Also Entertaining, November 1, 2006
This review is from: America's Polka King: The Real Story of Frankie Yankovic and His Music (Paperback)
Every working and retired polka musician will enjoy this book. As someone who was born too late to have experienced polka music in its heyday, this book practically paints the memories right into my mind. It is almost impossible for me to grasp the idea that the same music I play could earn someone fame and fortune, but things were different fifty years ago, and Frank Yankovic was not your average polka musician. He was a charismatic entertainer unlike any other, and no other book about any other polka musician could hold one's attention like a book about Frank.
The flow of the material, not to mention the sheer volume of it, makes for enjoyable reading. The book takes you back to the early part of the century and describes the situations and events that shaped Yankovic into the man he became. His ride through the 40's and 50's is nothing less than thrilling, and his gradual ascent in age through the 60's and 70's never slowed him down.
On the downside, the author occasionally uses adjectives to interject personal opinions, detracting from the professionalism of the writing. Also, toward the end of the book, the author included chapters on some of today's more popular artists such as Jimmy Sturr and LynnMarie. They were interesting to read, but interrupted the flow of the story like a TV commercial.
In summary, this book is a MUST HAVE for your library. Musicians, historians, dancers, promoters, and fans of all styles of polka music will enjoy the reading. It's a perfect blend of history, information, and poignant memories.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Appealing survey of the sunshine and shadows in a groundbreaking musician's life., April 13, 2007
This review is from: America's Polka King: The Real Story of Frankie Yankovic and His Music (Paperback)
Written by columnist and polka dancer Bob Dolgan, America's Polka King: The Real Story of Frankie Yankovic and His Music is the true-life story of ethnic Slovenian and Cleveland native Frankie Yankovic, winner of the first Polka Grammy, whose hit, upbeat tunes earned him international fame and fortune. Chapters cover his turbulent life, his service in World War II, the loves of his life including the bitter end to his first marriage, raising his children, and of course, the absolutely stunning and smashing popularity of his music. Black-and-white photographs, an extensive discography, and an index round out this appealing survey of the sunshine and shadows in a groundbreaking musician's life.
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