Walter Solek or Walt Solek (September 28, 1910 – April 1, 2005) was a

Polish-American Polish Americans () are Americans who either have total or partial Polish ancestry, or are citizens of the Republic of Poland. There are an estimated 8.81 million self-identified Polish Americans, representing about 2.67% of the U.S. population, ...

lyricist A lyricist is a writer who writes lyrics (the spoken words), as opposed to a composer, who writes the song's music which may include but not limited to the melody, harmony, arrangement and accompaniment. Royalties A lyricist's income derives ...

, musician, performer, and

radio show A radio program, radio programme, or radio show is a segment of content intended for broadcast on radio. It may be a one-time production, or part of a periodically recurring series. A single program in a series is called an episode. Radio netw ...

host who introduced English-language lyrics into

polka Polka is a dance style and genre of dance music in originating in nineteenth-century Bohemia, now part of the Czech Republic. Though generally associated with Czech and Central European culture, polka is popular throughout Europe and the ...

music in the United States. Solek was known as the "Clown Prince of Polka" and died on April 1, 2005, at the age of 94.Extreme PolkaIPAPolish American Solek was honored by the International Polka Association, the Polka Hall of Fame in

Chicago Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...

, he is a Meriden Hall of Fame member, and "the first sailor in 1940 who could sing ''Anchors Aweigh'' in Polish". He hosted the Polka Show on WMMW radio for 28 years starting in 1947,Extreme Polka and had a 75-year music career.Polish American

Early career

Solek's first break was with the Krakowska Orchestra organized by his brother Henry, with which he recorded on the RCA Victor label.IPA In 1939 he organized his own polka band before being called up by

Uncle Sam Uncle Sam (with the same initials as ''United States'') is a common national personification of the United States, depicting the federal government of the United States, federal government or the country as a whole. Since the early 19th centu ...

in 1940 to serve in the

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the naval warfare, maritime military branch, service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is the world's most powerful navy with the largest Displacement (ship), displacement, at 4.5 millio ...

. After

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

, his song "Julida Polka" was one of his earliest hits on

Columbia Records Columbia Records is an American reco ...

. "The hit vaulted him right to the top of the polka world."IPS The band was booked into dance halls all over the eastern states, billed as the "Polish

Spike Jones Lindley Armstrong "Spike" Jones (December 14, 1911 – May 1, 1965) was an American musician, bandleader and conductor specializing in spoof arrangements and satire of popular songs and classical music. Ballads receiving the Jones treatment wer ...

".IPA His success continued with other hits including "Coal Miners Polka," "Pierogi Polka," "Green Parrot," and "They’re Always In The Way." The polka business fell on hard times in the 1950s and his band made the switch to cutting records with English lyrics. During this period he released the hit song " Who Stole The Keeshka". He spent 35 years in the music business recording with

Columbia Records Columbia Records is an American reco ...

Harmonia In Greek mythology, Harmonia (; /Ancient Greek phonology, harmoˈnia/, "harmony", "agreement") is the goddess of harmony and concord. Her Greek opposite is Eris (mythology), Eris and her Roman mythology, Roman counterpart is Concordia (mythol ...

, Dana,

Reprise In music, a reprise ( , ; from the verb 'to resume') is the repetition or reiteration of the opening material later in a composition as occurs in the recapitulation of sonata form, though—originally in the 18th century—was simply any re ...

, Starr, and Rex Records.

Popularity

"When asked about the greatest places he ever appeared, he replied that the band drew their biggest crowds at Lakeside and Lakewood Ballrooms in Barnesville, Pennsylvania numbering over 3,000,000 polka lovers."IPA The emergence of

Rock and Roll Rock and roll (often written as rock & roll, rock-n-roll, and rock 'n' roll) is a Genre (music), genre of popular music that evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s. It Origins of rock and roll, originated from African ...

music provided tough competition, and Solek suggested disc jockeys who run polka programs play more tunes with English lyrics. He was a DJ at WMMW in Meriden,

Connecticut Connecticut ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It borders Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, New York (state), New York to the west, and Long Island Sound to the south. ...

starting in 1947. He was known for his exuberant performances and unusual outfits, and he was not bothered by criticism deriding the polka music form.IPA "He was a musician, a showman, an actor, and an entertainer." When he was home, Walt lived with his wife, Marilyn, and son, Joe, the drummer in his orchestra, son Tom and daughter Anita. Solek's popularity was helped by his ability to effectively mix comedy and polka together.Extreme Polka His song " Who Stole the Kishka?" (originally spelled Keeshka) has been a popular party tune since it was recorded in the 1950s with English lyrics. The song was also a hit for the Matys Brothers who recorded it in 1963, and has been performed regularly by other bands and remains a cult classic. His 1981 recording of "Ta-Ra-Ra-Boom-De-Ay" or "We Don't Have Any Money (but We Have a Lot of Fun)" was also popular.Extreme Polka His motto was "Bringing people together through music!". He played polka music during a time when polka was considered un-cool, competing with

Elvis Presley Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was an American singer and actor. Referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll", he is regarded as Cultural impact of Elvis Presley, one of the most significant cultural figures of the ...

and

The Beatles The Beatles were an English Rock music, rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. The core lineup of the band comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are widely regarded as the Cultural impact of the Beatle ...

, but "he knew how to have a good time and he also knew how to make people laugh and forget their worries for a while." Solek was inducted into the International Polka Association Hall of Fame in 1974. He was a parishioner of St. Stanislaus Church.

Songs

* "Almighty Dollar Polka" * "Bartender Polka" * "Blondie Polka" * "Coal Miners Polka" * "Drunkers Lament" * "Girl From Chicago Polka" * "Green Parrot" * "Happy Weekend Polka" * "Have Another, Brother Waltz" * "I Don't Want To Go Home Polka" * "In A Dark Cellar Waltz" * "Iron Casket Oberek" * "Jolly Farmer Polka" * "Julianna Polka" * "Mama Told Me Polka" * "Na Debowym Moscie" (on the Oak Bridge) * "Oh Mama Mama Polka" * "Peddler Polka" * "

Pierogi Pierogi ( ; ) are filled dumplings made by wrapping Leavening, unleavened dough around a Stuffing, filling and cooked in boiling water. They are occasionally flavored with a savory or sweet garnish. Typical fillings include potato, cheese, ...

Polka" * "Poor Old Man Oberek" * "Stealing Chickens Polka" * "They're Always In The Way" * "Under The Star Polka" * "Where Can She Be? Waltz" * "Wedding Dress Polka" * " Whoop Dee Doo" * " Who Stole the Kishka?" * "Young Bachelor Polka"

References

''It's No Joke'' April 7, 2005 Extreme Polka website
*''Clown Prince of Polkas, Walter Solek, dead at 94'' by Steve Litwin May 2005 Polish American Journal

{{DEFAULTSORT:Solek, Walt 1910 births 2005 deaths American lyricists American radio DJs American male songwriters American comedy musicians Polka musicians American people of Polish descent RCA Victor artists 20th-century American male musicians United States Navy personnel of World War II