Frankie Yankovic, King of Polka
Description
Frankie Yankovic burst onto the Polka scene with the platnium single "Just Because" in 1947. His is credited with popularizing the Cleveland-Style of Polka which has Slovenian roots. The Cleveland-Style Polka, which is characterized by fluid moves and a slower pace than other ethnic polkas, was greatly appreciated throughout the United States with Frankie Yankovic at the forefront. His Slovene upbrining in diverse Cleveland led to his success.
Credits
Amanda Ahrens, Brian Berger, Andrew Glasier, and Silvia Sheppard
Sections
Slovenes immigrated to Cleveland in great numbers during the late 19th century and early to mid 20th century, mostly to the St. Clair and Collinwood neighborhoods
Pioneers of Slovenian Cleveland-Style Polka influenced many Cleveland musicians. Matt Hoyer, considered by many to be the great granddaddy of Cleveland-Style Polka, began as a Slovenian folk musician. William Lausche, a dentist by trade, composed many polkas that incorporated Slovenian folk music and American jazz.
Frankie Yankovic took his Slovenian heritage and mixed it with his American upbringing to promote the Cleveland-Style of Polka around the country and became the King of Polka.
As polka evolved in the Cleveland area, it still stuck to its roots, with many bands playing in national homes and restaurants that catered to ethnic communities. The Slovenina National Home, for example, was home to many concerts, weddings with polka bands, and Slovenian cultural evenats. Sterle's Slovenian Country House continues to this day to be a home for polka. Frankie Yankovic's restaurant was also a hot spot for local and travelling polka bands.