How a flame-thrower operator became America's Polka King and sold 30 million records
In short: Frankie Yankovic survived the Battle of the Bulge with frostbitten hands that doctors wanted to amputate. He refused, fearing it would end his music career. He went on to become the premier Slovenian-style accordionist, winning the first-ever Grammy for polka and selling 30 million records during his prolific lifetime.
Born in 1915 to Slovene immigrant parents in West Virginia, Yankovic grew up in Cleveland, where he became captivated by the brass bands at local social functions. By his early teens, he was already a working musician. His path to stardom was not immediate; major labels initially rejected him, forcing him to self-fund his early recordings. He even briefly stepped away from music to run a tavern, the Yankovic Bar, to support his family.
His career took a dramatic turn during World War II. Assigned as a flame-thrower operator in the infantry, he suffered severe frostbite during the Battle of the Bulge. Despite medical advice to amputate his fingers, he insisted on keeping them to preserve his ability to play the accordion. After recovering, he served in special services, entertaining troops including General George Patton. Following the war, his career exploded. He earned the title of America's Polka King in 1948 after winning a battle of the bands in Milwaukee, and his platinum singles, such as the 'Blue Skirt Waltz,' cemented his national status.
Yankovic’s influence extended beyond his own recordings. He hosted television shows like Polka Time and collaborated with artists ranging from Doris Day to 'Weird Al' Yankovic, who is not related. Even after his death in 1998, his legacy remained strong; in 2007, a Cleveland square was named in his honor. His dedication was legendary, with the musician performing up to 325 shows a year at his peak. His 1986 Grammy win for '70 Years of Hits' served as a capstone to a career that brought Slovenian-style music to the American mainstream.
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