Promoting Polka Music Everywhere

Richie Tokarz

Living Category - Inducted 2000

Uniquely, making his name as a sideman, Richie Tokarz is well known particularly in the Polish sector of polka music.  Through the years he has demonstrated his talents playing the accordion, trumpet and singing with top polka bands.  Also, his efforts as a musical writer have always scored high on the list. 

Born on February 16, 1949 to Stanley and Florence Tokarz, Rich was raised in Whiting, Indiana and he was the older of 2 sons.  Rich began accordion lessons at the age of 7.  He propelled within his ranks when he achieved notoriety for playing polka music duets creatively at accordion recitals.  From that time on he has been an instrumental force in helping bands achieve popularity at the national level. 

Richie Tokarz has written 4 albums for Chicago's Polka General, Li’l Richard.  He has compiled numerous tracks by the late Marion Lush on an "Adults Only" Polish Party polka album just to name a few.  His excellent accordion work on recordings can be heard monthly with Lenny Gomulka & Chicago Push and Eddie Blazonczyk's Versatones.  During the last 3 decades of the 20th century, Richie Tokarz has made a name for himself as a dynamic sideman by traveling the national circuit with Marion Lush, Eddie Blozonczyk and Lenny Gomulka.  In addition to his party-like personality, he is also known for his accordion expertise and his natural blend as a backup and lead singer.  Making polka music professional and creating new, original ideas have been key elements to his sideman popularity status.  He has been and is an inspirational role model for many upcoming musicians. 

His personality was reflected throughout greater Chicagoland when Rich managed a weekly polka radio program back in the 1970’s.  Richie Tokarz has been a valuable resource for 3 notable names in polka music who eventually became synonymous with those entertainers.  They are Marion Lush, Eddie Blazonczyk and Lenny Gomulka.  Along with his younger brother Jerry, Rich has also recorded with Li’l Richards Polka All-Stars and the famous Pala Brothers Band of yesteryear.

It is because of his national dedication to polka music and because of the many years of demonstrating his talents on stage and recordings, that Richie Tokarz has become a national recognizable name in polka music. 

Career Chronology:

During these years Richie Tokarz has been the recipient of numerous awards for his talents as a musician and for his song writing ability.  He has composed over 40 polkas, waltz, and obereka.  He has also recorded over 25 albums.  Some of the songs he composed are: