Uploaded July 2020 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
Check out thetombstonetourist.com/graves/frankie-yankovic for the complete biography and more exciting content!
With over 200 recordings, 30 million records sold and performing 320 concerts a year at the height of his fame, Frankie Yankovic (July 28, 1915 – October 14, 1998) was an accordion player and polka musician best known as "America's Polka King". Although not related to Weird Al Yankovic (although they did record together later in his career), Frankie earned the title "America's Polka King" after beating out Louis Bashell, Romy Gosz, Harold Loeffelmacher and the Six Fat Dutchmen, Whoopee John Wilfahrt, and Lawrence Duchow in a battle of the bands in Milwaukee in 1948. He is known as the first polka musician to earn two Gold Records for his million-seller hits, "Just Because" in 1948 followed shortly by the even-bigger "Blue Skirt Waltz." In recognition of the long and successful career that ensued, Frank received the first Grammy Award in the polka category in 1986.
Yankovic died in Florida from heart failure at the age of 83. He is buried in Cleveland's Calvary Cemetery in Section 114, Lot 507, Grave 9 (GPS 41.4378925807816, -81.6059892566029) in the center of the section. Enjoy!
#famousgraves #gravesite #grave #cemetery #cemeterylovers #polka
Check out thetombstonetourist.com/graves/frankie-yankovic for the complete biography and more exciting content!
With over 200 recordings, 30 million records sold and performing 320 concerts a year at the height of his fame, Frankie Yankovic (July 28, 1915 – October 14, 1998) was an accordion player and polka musician best known as "America's Polka King". Although not related to Weird Al Yankovic (although they did record together later in his career), Frankie earned the title "America's Polka King" after beating out Louis Bashell, Romy Gosz, Harold Loeffelmacher and the Six Fat Dutchmen, Whoopee John Wilfahrt, and Lawrence Duchow in a battle of the bands in Milwaukee in 1948. He is known as the first polka musician to earn two Gold Records for his million-seller hits, "Just Because" in 1948 followed shortly by the even-bigger "Blue Skirt Waltz." In recognition of the long and successful career that ensued, Frank received the first Grammy Award in the polka category in 1986.
Yankovic died in Florida from heart failure at the age of 83. He is buried in Cleveland's Calvary Cemetery in Section 114, Lot 507, Grave 9 (GPS 41.4378925807816, -81.6059892566029) in the center of the section. Enjoy!
#famousgraves #gravesite #grave #cemetery #cemeterylovers #polka
