September 16, 2010 - 02:30 PM
Ken -
Gerald M. Darlak
Grammy Winning, IPA Polka Hall of Famer
BUFFALO, N.Y. “Jerry” Darlak, Polka star, Winning two Grammy’s, nominated for three more Grammies’ and International Polka Association Hall of Famer, died September 8th, two weeks shy of his 64th birthday.
Jerry Darlak's over 50 year career included working with Polka Bands such as polka legends’ Lil Wally Jagiello, Marion Lush, and Eddie Blazonczyk and the Versatones, “Big Steve” and the “Touch” He performed across the continental United States and Hawaii, Canada, Poland, Germany, and Austria and recorded over 600 songs on nearly 70 albums including Grammy winning albums for Eddie Blazonczyk and Walter Ostanek. Jerry was nominated for a Grammy in 2003, 2004, and 2009 with his own band “Jerry Darlak & The Buffalo Touch”.
Darlak was born in Hammond Indiana, Just outside of Chicago on September 22, 1946. At the age of seven, he began drum lessons, Age 12 he began his career as a polka musician. When he turned 14, Jerry stated his own band, The Lucky Stars. He then spent over a year and a half as a full time musician with Chicago’s “Polka General,” Lil Richard Towalski.
Shortly after, in August of 1963 he was introduced to the international polka star, Marion Lush. Impressed with both the talent and enthusiasm that Darlak had to offer, Lush chose the high school junior to be the back beat of the Musical Stars. Darlak played drums with Lush’s band until 1965, when he was drafted into the U.S. Army. While stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, he flew back to Chicago every weekend to perform with the Lush orchestra. He also played drums with the 5th Army Band, which was assigned to Fort Hood.
As a member of the 7th U.S. Army Band, he performed throughout Germany and parts of Europe. When it was learned that he was a full-time polka musician, and had his concertina with him, he soon was a featured artist with the Army, playing Polish, German, and other polkas at the Band’s shows.
Darlak returne...
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