[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 56 (Monday, May 5, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E837]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN HONOR OF JOHNNY VADNAL

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 5, 1997

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the lifetime achievement 
of Johnny Vadnal--band leader, master of the accordion, and Cleveland's 
Polka King.
  Johnny Vadnal and his family--mother, Anna; brothers, Tony, Frankie, 
and Richie; and sister, Valeria--brought the joys and rhythms of polka 
music to Cleveland and the country for the past 50 years.
  Johnny was the first polka band leader in the country to have his own 
television show in a major market. From 1949 to 1961, the Vadnals 
performed every Sunday afternoon at 1 o'clock on WEWS channel 5 in 
Cleveland.
  In the late 1940's and early 1950's, the Vadnals played six nights a 
week. Johnny and his band were regulars at all the famous 
establishments including the Superior Ballroom, Twilight Gardens, 
Aragon Ballroom, and the Bowl Ballroom. Johnny was so popular at the 
Bowl Ballroom that not even Louis Prima drew a crowd like Johnny could.
  At the height of his popularity, Johnny captivated 64,000 baseball 
fans at Cleveland Stadium when he introduced ``The Baseball Polka'' in 
1950. Recording for RCA Victor, Johnny's biggest hits were the ``Yes, 
My Dear'' waltz, which sold 50,000 copies in its first week, ``Two-
Timing You,'' ``The Slap Happy Polka,'' ``The Prairie Polka,'' ``The 
Mountain Climber,'' ``No Beer on Sunday,'' ``Blame in on the Waltz,'' 
``Clap Hands Polka,'' and his theme song, ``The Wayside Polka.'' In 
1983, Johnny wrote ``My Alice Waltz'' for his wife, and it was named 
polka song of the year.
  Johnny`s prodigious talent was matched only by the passion and 
sincerity with which he played. ``All I can say is I play from the 
heart,'' he has said.
  On May 7, the National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame will salute 
Johnny Vadnal upon his retirement. Mr. Speaker, we are richer as a 
nation and more civilized as a people for Johnny's contribution to the 
culture.

                          ____________________