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Eddie Korosa
Pioneer Category - Inducted 1998
Few can equal the contributions made by Eddie Korosa in popularizing
polka music. Eddie has left his mark across the entertainment spectrum,
inspiring new generations of polka lovers along the way.
Eddie Korosa was born in the Southwest side of Chicago in 1918; a
first generation American of Polish and Slovenian heritage, and 1 of 7
children. He attended St. Blaze’s grade school in Summit, and Argo High
School. His father, Joseph, an accordion player, purchased Eddie’s first
button-box accordion and taught him to play at the tender age of 8. With
his first song, Over the Waves, Eddie’s musical destiny was in sight.
Before long, young Eddie Korosa embarked on the professional path –
playing neighborhood parties by the time he was 10 and engagements in
local taverns during his teens, including the tavern owned by his
parents at 18th and Throop. His band was called “The Merry Makers”.
Shortly after expanding The Merry Makers in 1940, Eddie decided to join
the war effort and served in the Army’s 180th Infantry Division.
Although the war interrupted Eddie’s budding career, his music never
stopped. With his accordion as his constant companion, Eddie was
frequently called upon to give impromptu performances.
Returning home, Eddie resumed playing at clubs like the Topaz and
Club Irene in Chicago. He wrote and recorded “The Baby Doll Polka” in
1951 – a perennial favorite to this day. Due to his song’s widespread
popularity, Eddie and his band were soon in demand for appearances on
polka radio shows. And in 1952, Eddie was honored with the title “Prince
of Polkas” by radio station WTAQ. In 1971, he was the recipient of the
Mr. Personality Award.
In 1954, Eddie built the Baby Doll Polka Club at 73rd and Western in
Chicago where he and his Merry Makers, as the house band, entertained
polka enthusiasts for decades. The Baby Doll Polka Club became famous
for Eddie’s ability to dance on the bar during his performance (without
spilling too many drinks) and as the broadcast home of his long running
polka radio show. The club’s celebrity allowed Eddie the privilege to
launch the careers of many other bands and musicians.
Eddie broadened his horizons in the fruitful years that followed. From
1954-1960, Eddie cut 5 albums, including the work on Ron Terry’s Polka
Party album and 2 albums recorded with his sons. He wrote and recorded
another hit “All I Need Is You” in 1964. For 30 years, Eddie entertained
vast audiences with his own Eddie Korosa Polka Party television program
on Channel 2 in Chicago, his regular appearances on the Ron Terry Polka
Party on Channel 9 (WGN-Chicago) and his polka radio show from the Baby
Doll.
This led to an increasing number and wide variety of performances:
Frank Yankovic’s TV show in Cleveland, Irv Kupcinet’s Purple Heart
Cruises through 1994, numerous ethnic fests named Oktoberfests sponsored
by the City of Chicago, political parties for Democrats and Republicans
alike (where Eddie performed before mayors and governors), and several
occasions at Grant Park for the Chicago Bulls Championship celebrations.
Eddie and his band also took 15 tours to Hawaii and 15 tours to Europe.
Eddie’s guest appearances included performing with the Jan Garber
Band at the Sabre Room in suburban Chicago, with Frank Yankovic at the
Golden Nugget in Las Vegas, Guy Lombardo at Fort DeSoto Park in Florida,
with Bobby Vinton’s show at the Star Plaza in Merrillville, Indiana and
with Lawrence Welk at the Palladium in California. He also made guest
appearances in two movies, “One Potato, Two Potato” in 1969 and “Men
Don’t Leave” with Jessica Lange in 1989.
Eddie has been blessed with 6 children – 3 sons and 3 daughters, 10
grandchildren and 1 great grandson, Edward Korosa Jr. His oldest son,
also name Eddie, was a drummer before he passed away. Eddie’s other sons
continue to carry on the Korosa musical heritage – both have bands and
both play the accordion and drums. Bruce has the Bruce Korosa Orchestra
and Eddie has Eddie Jr.’s band is The Boys from Illinois. Linda Karen
and Debbie, Eddie’s daughters, are all happily married and raising
children.
On
Sunday, July 5, 1998, a surprise birthday was hosted for Eddie in
observance of his 80th birthday. Many relatives and friends were in
attendance and Eddie even joined the musicians and played his button box
accordion for the assembled guests. On Wednesday, July 8, 1998, the
Polka world was shocked to learn that Eddie Korosa died while at sleep. |
