Johnny Hyzny
Living Category - Inducted 1983
Johnny Hyzny was born in Chicago, Illinois April
25, 1930 to Joe and Ann Hyzny. They also had another son named Joe, who
played the accordion at a very early age. John’s father figured that if
Joe learned to play the accordion, John could learn from him. But John
had always had his eye on the drums. Finally one Christmas, John
received a set of drums. Years later, John was taught to play the drums
by a man named Bustabo.
 John’s first professional job ($3.00) was a wedding
which he played with his brother Joe. A few years later, John played
with a six-piece groups called The 4 Hamms. John played drums and Ed
Gradowski played the accordion. They were featured at local clubs like
Pep’s Club and the Sabre Room. During this time, John’s brother was
playing at the Casino Lounge with Jack Bustabo (sax.) The band’s
drummer
passed away. John replaced him, and played at the Casino Lounge three
nights a week. At that time, John Korosa was doing a radio show from
his Club Irene every Sunday. John, Joe, and Jack finally had the chance
to play the Club Irene Polka Time. They also played there every Tuesday
and Wednesday. Then Eddie Korosa, America’s Prince of Polkas, opened
the Baby Doll Polka Club. Johnny became Eddie Korosa’s drummer for four
years, playing every Sunday on radio, appearing on WGN-TV, and all the
band’s road trips.
A few years later, Johnny went out on his own with,
of course, brother Joe on accordion, Leo Perion (trumpet), Bob Duchek
(sax), Jan Kornkowski (sax) and Frank Janis (bass). The band went under
the name of Johnny Hyzny and his Music Makers. They appeared on Ron
Terry’s polka party on WGN-TV and throughout Illinois, Indiana,
Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. The band recorded on both Jay Jay and
Ampol record labels. Some of their hits were: "You Are My Honey
Polka," "Money Money Polka," "Ohio Polka" and "One Has My Heart the
Other My Name Waltz." Some of the other musicians that played with
Johnny were Don Ptak (trumpet), Frank Seliga (bass), Jerry Rajewski
(piano), Eddie Benbenek (sax and clarinet), and Tony Paliga (trumpet).
Besides playing, in the early 1960s, Johnny Hyzny
and Leon Kozicki along with Marge Vassiv, Lorraine Zawada Benbenek,
Marion & Elaine Nowak and Evelyn Golon, published the first Polka
Magazine called the Polka Guide. A few years later, Johnny formed the
International Polka Convention. The Conventions were held in Buffalo,
Detroit, and, of course, at Polonia Grove in Chicago. These were
presented under the direction of Johnny and his hard-working committee.
In January of 1968, Johnny Hyzny, Leon Kozicki, Joe and Jean Salomon,
Eddie Blazonczyk and Don Jodlowski met to discuss plans for the next
convention. After a series of meetings, they began preparations for the
formation of the International Polka Association. In October 1968,
Johnny resigned as President and named Leon Kozicki to replace him until
an election was held.
In 1965, Johnny became the owner and operator
of the Personality Lodge banquet facilities. The name of his business
was taken from a title bestowed on him in 1963: “Mr. Personality."
This was given to him by polka fans, bandleaders and promoters
throughout the United States.
Johnny was an active participant in civic and
community affairs for many years. He was Vice-President for Encephalitis
Fund of Chicago and Vice-President of the Chicagoland Polka Disc Jockey
Association. John was a member of numerous organizations including the
American Legion, Lions, Greater Midway Economic Development Committee,
Bill Bonnett’s Social Athletic Club, Polish American Police Association
and many others. He was the recipient of numerous awards and
commendations for his efforts in behalf of charitable and other worthy
causes. Among those were the Des Plaines Valley Man of the Year, the 3rd
District V.F.W. Man of the Year, the Lithuanian Alliance of America Man
of the Year and the Polish American Police Association Award.
In March, 1984, Johnny celebrated
his 30th year on radio, which over the years included remote broadcasts
from New York and Michigan plus numerous local festivals, carnivals,
etc.
Johnny was the Founder and President of the United Polka Association.
He led a successful drive to erect a monument to deceased polka
musicians in suburban Chicago, which came to fruition shortly after his
decease.
John and his lovely wife, Lorraine,
had two daughters, Roseann and Diane, three sons,
John Jr., Wayne, and Gary, and a grandson, Matthew.
In the words of John’s late father, “Remember, Life
is short. Enjoy yourself." Happily, he did. Johnny Hyzny died on
April 15, 2009. |
