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Frankie “Gee”
Grybosh
Deceased Category – Inducted 2000
Frank Grybosh had been a polka musician for 18 years and led a
6-piece orchestra under the name of “Freddie Gee” before he was
tragically killed on January 1, 1970.
Frank Grybosh was born in Ludlow, Massachusetts on October 9, 1936,
and was the only child of Wanda (Topor) and Frank C. Grybosh. At a
young age, he started playing the accordion and had an avid interest
in polka music. He started his first band, The Rhythm Knights, at
the age of 18. The members of this band were: Frank Grybosh, Bob
Nowak, Stan Warzecha, Richard Snieczyk and Sonny Dvorchak. This
group of young men primarily played for weddings, showers, and other
local engagements.
In 1956, the band developed into Frankie Gee Orchestra and traveled
throughout New England playing polka music. The Frankie Gee
Orchestra consisted of Frank on the accordion, John Maziarz on the
clarinet and saxophone, Al “Buzzy” Lanier on the trumpet, Eddie Gryb
on bass, Paul Kszaz on drums, and Lymon Lombard and Walt Kiesiek on
piano. A significant inspiration for his music was his wife, the
late Pearl (Gwozdz) Grybosh. She was fluent in the Polish language
as well as a pianist, and would assist Frankie in writing his
music. Frank and Pearl had four children: Teresa, Joanne, David,
and Edward.
Frankie was a congenial man, mannered and always willing to promote
polka music. He was a dedicated, hard-working polka artist who
attempted to keep alive the music he so loved. He continually
sought methods of improving his performance. He was always
delighted to please those whom he played for and above all respected
the polka public that came to see him perform.
On January 1, 1970 an unbelievable tragedy occurred at 2:15am in the
town of Revere, MA. After playing as the star musical attraction at
the annual New Year’s Eve Party sponsored by the Polish National
Lodge 630 at St. Michael’s Hall in Lynn, MA, Frankie Gee, popular
bandleader, vocalist, accordionist, and Rex accordion artist, was
struck and killed by a care traveling at a high rate of speed. This
all happened while exchanging New Year’s Eve greetings with fellow
polka bandleader Wesoly Bolek (Bill Bolek), in between their
vehicles, which were parked in the breakdown lane. Suddenly from
out of the darkness, a speeding vehicle smashed in Bill Bolek’s van
then swerved and hit Frankie Gee. The vehicle responsible for the
death of Frankie Gee never stopped. The incident happened so
quickly that the car could not be readily identified.
He recorded two top-selling LPs in the polka field on the REX label,
including “Polish Melodies” and “Polka Whoopie”. A third recording
was in the process of being made at the time of his unfortunate
passing. He was a member of Local 171 of the Musicians Union in
Springfield, a charter member of the U. A. Polka Association, and
was an active member in the Polish American Citizens Club of Ludlow,
MA. For the year 1970, he had playing engagements booked throughout
New England; however, at the request of his wife, the orchestra
disbanded. May he rest in peace. |
