Editing Eddie Blazonczyk (section)

==History==
Eddie Blazonczyk was born in [[Chicago, Illinois]], to Polish immigrant parents<ref name="Govenar">{{cite book |last=Govenar |first=Alan |year=2001 |chapter=Eddie Blazonczyk: Polish American Musician and Bandleader|title=Masters of Traditional Arts: A Biographical Dictionary |volume=1 (A-J)|location=Santa Barbara, CA |publisher=ABC-Clio |pages=78–79|isbn=1576072401|oclc=47644303}}</ref> of [[Gorals|Goral]] heritage.<ref name="Center1982" />

Before becoming a [[polka]] artist, and founding [[Chicago]]-based [[Bel-Aire Records]] in 1963, Eddie Blazonczyk recorded under the name Eddy Bell for [[Mercury Records]], Versa Records, and [[Lucky Four Records]], all three labels based in Chicago. During this period Blazonczyk toured with [[Buddy Holly]], [[Gene Vincent]] and [[Brenda Lee]].<ref>[https://www.chicagotribune.com/2012/05/21/chicagoan-eddie-blazonczyk-sr-spread-polka-around-the-globe/ Chicagoan Eddie Blazonczyk Sr. spread polka around the globe] Retrieved 2013-05-21</ref> The [[gramophone record|records]] he made for these labels were [[rockabilly]] sides, and [[novelty songs]].  "The Great Great Pumpkin", released on Lucky Four #1012, is probably the most noteworthy of these recordings.  This recording is still occasionally heard around [[Halloween]] and is highly sought by [[gramophone record|record]] collectors.  [[Lenny LaCour]], the owner of Lucky Four Records, encouraged Blazonczyk, at the age of 22, to specialize in polka music, rather than to continue as a rockabilly singer. Blazonczyk has said, "I took his advice, and never regretted it."<ref>Dave Hoekstra, [http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/almost-famous/Content?oid=911129 "Almost Famous"]. ''[[Chicago Reader]]'', February 6, 2003.  Retrieved 2012-01-28</ref>

He is credited with inventing the rhythmic polka subgenre known as "Chicago push,"<ref name="NYTobit" /> although ironically the name given to the style comes from bands who came after and were inspired by Blazonczyk, notably the Chicago Push. Musicologist Norm Cohen wrote that "in his illustrious career, Blazonczyk and his Versatones were the primary ambassadors of Polish-American polka, touring constantly and playing well over 200 road gigs per year."<ref name="Cohen2007">{{cite book|author=Norm Cohen|title=Ethnic and Border Music: A Regional Exploration|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1yraAAAAMAAJ|year=2007|publisher=Greenwood Press|isbn=978-0-313-33192-3}}</ref>

The Versatones played a mix of both traditional and original tunes, with Blazonczyk singing in both [[Polish language|Polish]] and English. The band consisted of a fiddler and [[Chemnitzer concertina|concertina]]<ref>{{cite web |title=People B – ConcertinaMusic.com |url=https://concertinamusic.com/people-b/ |access-date=13 July 2021}}</ref> player, two trumpeter/clarinetists, a drummer and Blazonczyk himself on vocals and electric bass. Though his focus remained on the polka genre, Blazonczyk was a fan of [[Rock music|rock]], [[Country music|country]], [[Bluegrass music|bluegrass]] and [[Cajun music|Cajun]] music and liked to incorporate those styles into his music when he felt it was appropriate.<ref name="Center1982">{{cite book|author=American Folklife Center|title=Ethnic Recordings in America: A Neglected Heritage|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GpifAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA155|year=1982|publisher=American Folklife Center, Library of Congress|pages=155–|isbn=9780844403397}}</ref>

Blazonczyk retired from performing in 2002.  At that time, he turned over responsibility for his band, The Versatones, to his son, Eddie Blazonczyk Jr.  The Versatones played their last performance on New Year's Eve, 2011.<ref>Philip Potemka, [http://www.nwitimes.com/entertainment/columnists/offbeat/article_a19bd30b-8f11-5f31-aa9c-b0c0082284e6.html Legendary Chicago-based polka band comes to an end]. NWI.com, February 20, 2011; Retrieved 2012-01-28</ref>