|
Wanda "Koziol"
Pietrzak
Deceased Category - Inducted 1999
Wanda S. Pietrzak was a singer who achieved national acclaim in polka
music's only mother and daughter team, "Wanda and Stephanie".
 As
half of "Wanda and Stephanie", known as "American's Polka Sweethearts,"
she recorded many albums. She scored a #1 polka hit in 1971 with a song
she wrote, "Lover Oh Lover."
Wanda Koziol was born in Lackawanna, New York and was raised in
Chicago in the musical family of Frank and Stephanie Koziol. Wanda
developed her love for Polka music as a child listening to her mother
sing. In the 50's Wanda and her mother sang and played at parties. Wanda
was a versatile and various instruments such as the accordion, piano and
bass.
Wanda and her family then moved to Buffalo, New York where she met
her husband, Henry Pietrzak, then daughter Stephanie was born and showed
the same musical talent. Wanda taught her how to play the accordion.
Stephanie then taught herself the concertina and eventually her father
developed the "Wanda and Stephanie Show". This mother and daughter team
soon became the "Golden Stars". and were named "The Newest Sensation
Throughout the Nation" and "America's Polka Sweethearts."
Their big break came when they were discovered by polka star Marion
Lush at the Hearthstone Manor in Depew, New York during the 1967
International Polka Festival.
Proponents of the honky Chicago polka style, they soon became part of
the contingent of the top Chicago bands that included: Marion Lush,
Eddie Blazonczyk and Li'l Wally. They recorded their first album with
Blazonczyk in Chicago on Bel-Aire records. There after many albums
followed.
The first hit was a song Wanda wrote called "Come Back My Johnny",
and they had a number of polka hits that Wanda wrote after the success
of "Lover Oh Lover," such as "Kiss Me Sweetheart," "My Polish Lover,"
"Knock Knock," "I'll Be Back," and the list goes on. Through the years
she wrote a lot of great songs with Stephanie.
Wanda twice was honored as Best Female Vocalist by International
Polka Association in Chicago. Throughout the years she received many
awards, citations and plaques for their songs and entertainment.
Wanda was a bandleader, singer, songwriter, composer and entertainer
for over 30 years. She knew how to get a seated crowd standing IO deep
in front of the stage. Wanda always loved the performing end of the
business. She was always out-going to her fans and loved being with the
crowd, getting them involved in the music.
They toured extensively across the United States and Canada playing
the largest ballrooms, polka conventions and festivals. They performed
on numerous radio and television broadcasts and were featured
entertainers on Caribbean cruises. They shared the stage with Bobby
Vinton many times at Melody Fair in North Tonawanda, New York. Their
outstanding talent was the topic of Buffalo's leading new publication
when it headlined "Wanda and Stephanie" on the cover and centerfold.
Wanda gave her last performance two weeks before she died suddenly on
March 2, 1996. Although this award is to honor Wanda it is impossible to
separate the "Wanda and Stephanie" team in the mind of polka lovers.
Wanda will always be remembered and loved for her songs, entertainment
and great love of Polka music. The happiness she brought to the Polish
Music lovers is Legendary, and will live on always. |
