Honoring Frank Yankovic, ‘America’s Polka King’

Celebrating Man Who Popularized Polka Music

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Thursday, Duluthians honored America’s Polka King, Frank Yankovic, as next Tuesday would have been his 100th birthday.

The music legend popularized polka music throughout the country, but especially in the Twin Ports and on the Iron Range.

“The music means so much, this is the music of many people’s lives, they grew up with it, they met their spouses at dances featuring this music,” explained Joe Valencic, President of the National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame. “But it’s still relevant today, right now there’s a polka and accordion revival going on around the country,” he added.

In 1986, Yankovic was awarded the first–ever Grammy for ‘Best Polka Recording’.