CHICAGO POLKA: Eddie Blazonczyk & the Versatones / Fragrant Roses Waltz / Bel-Aire 2924

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The Versatones were formed in 1957 in Chicago, IL, by high-schoolers Bob Sendra (drums), Rich Sendra (accordion) and Jerry Chocholek (clarinet and saxophone). They played schools and private parties, and Bob Sendra’s whistle playing was a hallmark of the band’s performances.

Chet Kowalkowski, who began playing accordion at age 8 before taking up the trumpet in high school, joined the band in 1961 to play trumpet and provide vocals. His childhood friend and bass player, Eddie Blazonczyk, sat in with the band in 1963, and wanting to play with an established polka band, ended up joining it. Gradually, Eddie took over bookings and contracts, and set up the Bel-Aire record label (named for his pre-polka incarnation as “Eddie Bell and his Bel-Aires”, who had recorded a few R&R sides for Mercury records).

Original member Rich Sendra was drafted in 1965 and went on a hiatus from the Versatones. His brother Bob’s employment and family obligations led to his departure in 1967, and Jerry Chocholek left shortly thereafter to play R&R.

Members of the band in the mid-60s included: Jim Bagrowski, saxophone and trumpet (1964-); Junior Wozniak, violin (1965-); Wally Maduzia, concertina and clarinet (1965-); and Lenny Gomulka, of Chicago Push fame, trumpet (1966-).

Since the name “Versatones” was already trademarked by a vocal group, Eddie renamed the band “Eddie Blazoncyk’s Versatones” (which had not yet been trademarked) in 1967. The harmonizing vocals of Chet and Eddie were a major factor in the success of the band which released dozens of albums from the 1960s through the 1990s.

Over the years members of the Versatones included: Jerry Darlak, accordion; Richie Tokarz, accordion; Eddie Siwiec, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, concertina, and vocals; Richie Gomulka, accordion and drums; Jack Libera, concertina, piano, bass, saxophone, and vocals; Al Piatkowski accordion; Eddie Blazonczyk, Jr., concertina; John Zelasko, concertina; and Ted Lange (of Mollie B. fame), accordion.

Eddie Blazonczyk Sr. retired from the Versatones in 2002 and his son Eddie Blazonczyk Jr. led the band until New Year’s Eve 2011. Eddie Sr. passed away in May 2012.

Many of the pictures in the video are from the Eddie Blazonczyk Facebook page:
https://business.facebook.com/pg/eddieblazonczyksversatones/posts/
https://ampoleagle.com/bob-sendra-remembers-the-versatones-before-eddie-b-p13520-231.htm
https://www.ipapolkas.com/interview-with-chet-kowalkowski/
https://polamjournal.com/Polish_American_Journal_November_2011.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Blazonczyk
https://belairerecords.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Blazonczyk

Polish Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-vPb6CpWn8&list=PLj57_HkEA2N04t0qooU-AZbM1mIRT_HZb
Polka Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLj57_HkEA2N2CuWrSxUj4Ca6YXb1_P-ES
Accordiana Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLj57_HkEA2N36KDFg02L_05IjgJGhNKM4

[Fragrant Roses Waltz [Pachną różyczki- Marisha Data], Eddie Blazonczyk, Chet Kowalkowski & the Versatile Versatones, Bel-Aire 2924-B]
The flip side of this disk is Cium Ciu Rum Cium Cium Polka: https://youtu.be/bzkTqpLWFFQ