It's no Joke

On April 1st the 94 year old Clown Prince of Polka; IPA Polka Music Hall of Fame in Chicago member; Meridan Hall of Fame member; the first sailor in 1940 who could sing "Anchors Aweigh" in Polish and host of the Polka Show on WMMW radio for 28 years since 1947....has passed away.

Walter Solek wrote two of my personal favorite polkas, "Julida Polka" and "Who Stole The Keeshka" (sic).

Julida was one of his earliest and biggest hits on Columbia records after he served in the navy during WWII. Solek was very popular as he was able to effectively mix comedy and polka together and as Dandy Don says, "Julida was the first material girl- Madonna's got nothin' on her!!"
Keeshka always gets the crowd going at a Polkaholics show as it has since it was recorded in the 50's with English Lyrics!

And who can forget his 1981 recording of "Ta-Ra-Ra-Boom-De-Ay" or "We Don't Have Any Money (but We Have a Lot of Fun" ? And isn't that what life should be all about? Walter knew how to make people laugh- and that is one of the best gifts a person could have.

There are few left like Walt- his motto was "“Bringing people together through music!” and that is what the Polkaholics are trying to do.
Dandy Don went on to say, "The humorous elements in our approach owe a lot to him.  Plus, it's amazing to see a musician live to be 94 - definitely an outlier.  "
I personally feel a connection to a person like Walt Solek because he played polka music during a time when polka was considered un-cool. Hey it must have been pretty damn hard to compete with Elvis and The Beatles etc. but Walter Solek kept right on doing what he did best- even if it meant that others in the music world would ridicule him. He knew how to have a good time and he also new how to make people laugh and forget their worries for a while.

I have to agree with Dandy Don- we truly do owe a lot to him.

Some other great Walter Solek songs:

• Na Debowym Moscie
(on the Oak Bridge)
• Almighty Dollar Polka
• Mama Told Me Polka
• Have Another, Brother Waltz
• Young Bachelor Polka
• Poor Old Man Oberek
• Stealing Chickens Polka
• Iron Casket Oberek
• Jolly Farmer Polka
• In A Dark Cellar Waltz
• Where Can She Be? Waltz
• Happy Weekend Polka
• Wedding Dress Polka

Come on out to hear us pay tribute to Walter- this Saturday night, April 9th, from 10:00pm till 1:30am at Lincoln Square Lanes in Chicago.

It's a FREE ALL AGES show.

Comments

[Lord Solek]

Solek destroyed his enemies! He didn't fucking give a shit about anything. He will get his final revenge on all you assholes. Just wait and see!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bud Hundenski]

Walt Solek was truly the greatest Polka entertainer who has ever lived. I will always cherish & treasure the memories that we shared on and off the bandstand when he recorded and toured as a vocalist in my band in the 70's & early 80's. Walt had that God-given masterful gift of grabbing the attention of an audience & holding them in the palm of his hand, for as long as he so desired. He brought smiles to peoples faces & joy to their hearts! I am convinced that there will never again be another like him.
Bud Hundenski

[click here]

Walter Solek is an unknown giant. His songs are truly musical.

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[Astrology Readings]

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[Postsosne]

Lord Solek was a Polka Genius. His Subversive polka music destroyed the minds of a generation. Lord Solek now surveys the universe imparting his Polka Knowledge to the citizens of the universal mind! His earthly self was a moment to greatness. He shall be missed on this planet but it's comforting to know that he surely has escaped this cycle of existence and has begun the process of destroying the entire universe.

[Michael Krupa]

Uncle Walter Solek, truly he was the Greatest Polka Clown Prince. I can remember when my Mom used to dance with a Polish Club, in New Bedford, MA called Sharpshooters. She used to tell me stories that he would play way past quitting time. I also, had the chance to see and meet with him when he did play in Hollywood, FL. Long Live the Clown Prince of Polkas.

[Janet Oldham Burgess]

My mom & dad were very close to Walt & Wanda. Jerry & Jeanett Oldham. Mom & Dad accompany Walt & Wanda when Walt was inducted into the IPA Hall of fame. We all loved to hear the Solek band play, they were all great! Many a good time was had by all @ Saint Joseph polish hall in Colchester, Bristol, Wallingford CT. just to name a few places the band played. We would all clap, sing & dance have the time of our lives. There was a fantastic accordion player by the name of David, he left the band in the 70's. I wonder if any one knows where he is now? Does he play with another band? David & I became good friends, would be nice to touch base again & go over old times.

[Walt Solek]

Walt Solek was the mastermind of the Polka Underground. His dark polka voodoo will continue to infect the minds of all mankind!

[Donnie Baptiste]

The January before Walt died, he called me in Florida and said that SONY had contacted him to make a CD using as many of the 50's musicians as he could muster. They were going to call it "My Last". He make a comment at that time to Hank Will who played keyboards and arranged for Walt and many other big bands that "when I go",---- and Hank's response was: Walt, you're not going anywhere! He died four months later on April Fools Day (The Clown Prince of Polka)at 94 1/2 years old. I spoke to him several days prior to his death, and he gave me no indication that we was that ill. I recorded Keeshka, Their always in the way, Green Parrot, along with the "Six Hicks" session (on 45's) for Dana then went on the road in Europe with Walt's piano player, Ron Mocadlo. I was very young and when we had a Sunday gig in Conn. after a Saturday gig in NY, I would stay at his home in Meriden on Crown St., and Wanda, his second wife would make me her very special tomato sauce for spagetti. I really liked her. Donnie Baptiste

[Jim]

Solek destroyed his enemies and revolutioned the polka world with his voodoo powers. Solek will live on throughout all eternity crushing his enemies and enlightening the world through his majesty. He is the only true polka mastermind the universe will ever know. He has moved on to a better existence and will once again destroy the minds of all with his polka genius in some way. His dark energy has been released and is radiating throughout the universe rotting the brains of all in its path. Long Live the Polka Master Solek architect of polka voodoo magic!!!!!!

[Jim]

Solek is the greatest of all men who have ever lived.

[Don Baptiste]

You are so messed up, you would not know Walt Solek if you were buried with him. I work with him for more years than you have lived. I really want your public apology for the junk that is so incorrect that you have tried to use to associate yourself with someone who is so very much above you. Grow up!

Donnie Baptiste
561-776-9332

[mary ann]

I met Walt once and enjoyed dancing to his music that day in Buffalo, NY. We play his music on our POLKA MUSIC UNLIMITED radio program here in Oswego County- Syracuse, NY area. and our Polka Friends enjoy him.
God bless him and his family.

Mary Ann

[Paul Solek]

I read with interest your comments about Uncle Walt. He was everything you said and more. Not only a great musician, but a genuinely nice guy. He was my dads brother, and I grew up listening to him on WMMW, at the grove on warm Sundays after church, and at family "hot dog roasts" as we used to call them. He would walk into the house or yard singing a tune to get everyone smiling, and it always worked. We always had a good time when Uncle Walt was around. When I joined the Navy after graduation in 1961, he sang Anchors Aweigh in Polish at a family going away party for me, as a 17 year old kid, I thought that was neat.

I'm glad to see he is still admired by his fans, I can see his face now with a grin from ear to ear.

I'm sure he's sitting with Karol Woyjtla right now and trying to get him to join in a chorus of Who Stole the Kieshka! !

Thank you.

Paul