Frankie Yankovic Bio/Wiki, Net Worth, Married 2018
Frank John "Frankie" Yankovic (July 28, 1915 in Davis, West Virginia – October 14, 1998 in New Port Richey, Florida) was a Grammy Award-winning polka musician. Known as "America's Polka King," Yankovic was the premier artist to play in the Slovenian style during a long and successful career.
He served in World War II and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. After the war, he recorded a country song, "Just Because", in polka style, and sold a million copies. He invited other, more skilled accordionists to join his band, "Frankie Yankovic and the Yanks". In 1948, the Yanks played for an audience of 8,000 people in Milwaukee, and Frankie became known as America's Polka King.
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His family moved to Cleveland, Ohio, when he was 5 years old. His family ran a boarding house, and Slovenian boarders taught Frankie how to play the accordion. When he was a teenager, he played at dances for five dollars a night.
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By the 1990s, polka music had plummeted in popularity, yet Yankovic was still playing up to 200 shows a year. He was very charismatic, and his personality connected well with his audiences.
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Yankovic took his band on the road, playing a relentless schedule, as many as 325 nights annually. The constant touring and hectic lifestyle led many band members to quit.
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Even though they aren't related, he and 'Weird Al' Yankovic were close friends. Both were known for playing the accordion.
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Jerry Gray and the Band of Today
1950
Short performer: "Acapulco Polka"
Atop the Fourth Wall
2014-2015
TV Series 2 episodes
Six Feet Under
2005
TV Series 1 episode
Happy Accidents
2000
performer: "I Wanna Call You Sweetheart" - as Frank Yankovic
$200,000
