Rock and roll had Elvis. Polka had Li’l Wally Jagiello, pioneer of the Chicago-style polka, who passed away yesterday at the age of 76. The son of Polish immigrants, Li’l Wally was a self-taught drummer and concertina player who revolutionized polka music by taking the frantic pace of traditional polka and slowing it down. In Charles Keil’s book Polka Happiness, Li’l Wally explained his approach:
“You see, a polka was never supposed to be played fast. If you play it fast, you modernize it. I went to Europe, all different villages. I never heard a fast polka there. So why should I hear a fast polka here? My beat is more ethnic. They used to tell me this is too slow… Actually, it’s not slow. It’s a bouncy beat, but not fast… Eastern style may be musicians’ music, but I don’t play for musicians, I play for the public. The public wants to hear melody, lyrics. They want to hear a song with a simple, real pretty story behind it that they can dance to. Real bouncy.”
Li’l Wally promoted his music tirelessly with live shows (as a trio — trumpet, concertina, and Wally on drums), a morning radio show, and his own record company, Jay Jay records. He wrote over 2000 songs — including his hits “Wish I Was Single Again”, “Chicago Is a Polka Town”, and “She Likes Kielbasa” — and during his 1950s heyday, he recorded between ten and twelve albums a year. Unlike most bandleaders, Li’l Wally eschewed sheet music; instead, he wanted his musicians to have room for improvisation and focus on their most important job: pleasing the audience.
One of the charter members of the Polka Hall of Fame (along with Frankie Yankovic), Li’l Wally was a polka legend and he will be sorely missed. To learn more about his life, check out this excellent in-depth feature from the Miami New Times, written in 1999. And make sure to drink a beer (or two) for Wally tonight.
Li’l Wally: In Heaven There is No Beer (MP3 sample)
32 Comments:
To Whom It May Concern……We lived in the ole neighborhood…Polish Broadway & we loved it…My grandparents had a home at 1012 N. Wolcott….their name was Balczynski (Joseph & Eve( My Aunt is Jean Kroll…She belonged to 23 Polish Clubs..She is 90 years old….She lives at St. Andrew Home by St. Adalbert Cemetary….My Aunt Jean & my mother Loretta went to St. Helen’s School & Church…My Aunt Jean marched in the Polish Parade for years & years…We seen Lil Wally & his band play in the parade so many times…we looked forward to it each year. We have so many Polish LP’s of his & I always play my Polish music which I simply adore…My favorite song of his is Who’s little girl are you???? It’s very touching that his family is going to bring him back to his roots in Chicago…We will miss him but his music will live on. Thank You…With Our Sincere Sympathy..The Linklater Family
by Georgine Linklater on August 22nd, 2006
He truly was The King of Polka! Im so happy that I was able to play with hime a few times- and even better… get drunk with him!
“Jolly” James Wallace
The Polkaholics
by James Wallace on August 23rd, 2006
Thanks for sharing, Georgine. I can only imagine what it was like to have seen Wally in his heyday.
James, I loved your photos with Wally. Let us know if the Polkaholics plan a West Coast tour anytime soon.
by Chris on August 24th, 2006
I grew up at Ashland Ave. and Division Street in the early fifties. I’ve listened to him play at the Lucky Stop Bar many times and on occasion he would let me sit in for a few minutes. I played the accordion. I’m sure most if not all polka musicians will miss him dearly. He was a “one of a kind”.
by Victor Tanbalski on August 25th, 2006
i will truly miss li’l wally. i can remember the first album i used to play over and over with zosia on it with brown jay jay label i was about 4 years old. i was honored to see him when he played at fiedor’s grove in mt. pleasant pennsylvania. it was a pleasure when i used to back him up on different occasions in the past playing clarinet and saxophone. and back in 1990 at “the little bit of chicago night club playing concertina and clarinet him and i only. and thankful for “ski” the owner to invite me that evening. wally and i played until about 1 in the morning at the club. thanks again lil wally for all the good times and for all your great music which will live forever. may God bless you, li’l wally and i know your up there with God in heaven and very happy playing your music for Him. may God bless you and your family.
bob shutty
by bob shutty on September 1st, 2006
WE Will miss Lil Wally very much. I can remember him when I was younger coming to PA and Ohio and performing. I loved to dance to his music. He was a terrific showman. I am sure he will still be playing Polish music in heaven…
by Jean Preisnar Buczek on September 3rd, 2006
I grew up in a Polish poor family of 15. Mama & Daddy would listen to the Polish radio on Sundays. And that is where I heard Lil’ Wally for the first time.
It’s funny but my older siblings weren’t into Polish music, but in high school my girlfriends and I followed the little posters announcing when Lil Wally would play.
As a queen of karaoke, I have 65 different characters with costumes I’ve sewed and designed. But, I also perform Lil’ Wally. The medley: Twirl your hanky, (I give out hankies for the audience to twirl and they love it here in Vegas, Chicago is a Polka town, and my favorite “Johnny’s knocking in 3 languagues!”.
I wrote Lil’ Wally a few years ago, when he bought and owned Frank Sinatra’s old recording studio. He was such an interesting talker, and encouraged me in performing. He said he always gave his heart and soul in each performance. He also mentioned that he loved the public so much, that he thought one day, he would die and it would be on stage, as a symbol, he would give his last breath to make the audience happy.
I ordered song books, Cd’s and a record of Christmas songs, including “Merry CHristmas Mommy, Merry Christmas Dad”. Also, the good old Polish Xmas hymns.
Lil’ Wally loved to write and would include cute words, evening writing on the outside of the envelope, a p.s. if he wanted you to know something. That to me is mentorship. I have tears in my eyes, I somehow wish the rest of the world could see Lil’ Wally with my eyes and my heart, because they would be sobbing and weeping bitterly at his passing.
I tried to make arrangments for Lil’ Wally to play here in Vegas. I will also go to the newspaper with pictures and articles about him, because all great entertainers get coverage here in Las Vegas.
Daddy’s favorite “I Wish I Was Single Again”. (well he’d kid us, and after 12 children, we knew he loved his wife, and his kids) Barbie Kopaczewski Nowak Patton, (from Chicago as seen on TV/Radio in Chicago many, many, many times singing and dancing in costumes I make myself).
Much love to you all, as we grieve for a great man!
by Barbie Doll Patton on September 8th, 2006
Wow, thanks for sharing your moving story, Barbie. Lil’ Wally touched so many people and he’ll be sorely missed.
by Chris on September 12th, 2006
I want to buy my mother some of Lil Wally’s music on CD for her birthday. One album she always loved was with a yellow cover and he is wearing a tuxedo and I believe his band in on the cover with him. Any assistance would be most appreciated. She absolutely loved him and his music. Thanks, Richard
by Richard Baran on September 24th, 2006
I’d check with Jimmy K. Polkas — they have the biggest selection of polka CDs I’ve found. Hope that helps!
by Chris on September 24th, 2006
I was born in a little coal town in Pennsylvania. I am second generation Polish stock. My mom and pop met at a Polish Dance doing the Springtime Polka. My dad loved his polish music and it rubbed off seriously on me. Both mom and pop passed away just a few years ago. I inherited all my dad’s LP’s. The largest section is Lil’ Wally’s music that he got at dances when Lil’ Wally was near by on tour. All the ones from the dances are autographed. Pop always got to sing a little with the band and really really enjoyed it. I know that they are enjoying that great music again together.
Thanks for all the great music, happiness and wounderful memories.
by Ambrose Kozlowski on September 29th, 2006
I use to live in Illinois and on Sunday my family use to listen to LIL Wally.I am trying to locate his Polka Music on DVD
Thank You
by Ed Kozik on March 16th, 2007
Ed, I don’t know of any DVDs, but both Jimmy K. Polkas and Polkamart have a good selection of Lil’ Wally CDs (and even some cassettes).
by Chris on March 16th, 2007
Yes, Lil Wally was the greatest. Dad has so many albums of his, til this day, I listen to his music, since I am Polish, why not, don’t understand polish, yet his music is outstanding. Listenig to his music, brings back many wonderful memories, since my dad passed away, when I listen to his music still, I say, Hey dad!!!!Playing this music for you, your favorite. My favorite”Puka Jasiu”. Yes, any way DVD’s are available, please let me know. Thank You.
by Cindy Lewalski on April 4th, 2007
I grew up in Chicago and my family, grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles were Wally fans. saw him many times at “Polish Paradise” (Caldwell Woods) on the north side along with 20 or 30 other Polish bands every sunday. He was Polish Music. I’am a musician now living in Florida and when I play that concertina the Wally way and his beat the floor is never empty. I know he’s entertaining all my relatives up there and I’am sure God is tapping his toes to that Chicago Lil’Wally beat. You are missed.
by Ernie Stetz on May 16th, 2007
Where can I buy a mp3 of Lil Walley or other artist singing She likes kielbasa thats her favorite dish?
by Dan Porzondek on August 3rd, 2007
During the late fifties and early sixties I was the Saxophone and Clarinet Player in a band called the Polka Jets located in Pittsburgh Penna. We Emulated Lil Wallys Style of Polka Music. My fondest Memory was when I had the chance to Play along with Lil Wallys Band At DanceLand, which I believe was located in West View Park Pennslyvania. From my perspective, no band has ever captured the full essence of Lil Wallys Style of Music. He really was the one and only Polka King. I will always cheerish his music and often listen to his vinyl recordings which I have collected over the past several years. I only wish that all of his music could be transfered to a High Sound Quality CD format so his music can live on for future generations to listen too.
by Jack Schubert on August 18th, 2007
I was looking for the song-She like kielbasa
and I see Li’l Wally Jagiello sings it.
where can i buy this cd? can you help me?
thank you
by christine on August 29th, 2007
Sorry Christine, but I haven’t been able to find it either. (Neither Jimmy K. Polkas nor Polkamart have “She Likes Kielbasa” on any of the Li’l Wally CDs they have in stock.)
by Chris on August 29th, 2007
I just happened to come across this site and remembered how as a child I went to the “Polish Picnics” with my parents in the forest preserve on the northwest side of Chicago. It brings back terrific memories of Li’l Wally and his music that I still love today. It’s too bad you can’t find much of his music, especially in Polish anywhere to purchase. When I hear his singing, it immediately brings me back to those wonderful times. He truly was the BEST. If anyone knows where you can purchase his “Polish music”, I’d love to know. Thanks ~
Kris
by Kris on November 11th, 2007
Kris, try Jimmy K. Polkas — they have some of his Polish music on CD.
by Chris on November 11th, 2007
This is some information to “Kris” who left his comment on Nov.11,2007……He wanted to know where he can purchase Polish LP’s of Lil Wally….Try E-Bay on the internet…….Just type in Lil Wally Polish LP’s and a bunch will come up……I got quite a few that way……Good Luck…….Best Wishes…..Georgine Linklater …….11/27/2007
by Georgine Linklater on November 27th, 2007
Hi Kris……I don’t know if you are still searching for Lil Wally’s Polish LP’s or not??????? Well you can get in touch with Brian Papesh 13900 York Blvd. Garfield Hts. OH. 44125 United States (216) 662-7140………I am doing some music business with him on E-Bay……..He has a lot of great Polka Albums that he wants to sell……so write him or call him to see what he has ……Thanx so much!!!!!!!!! Georgine Linklater
by Georgine Linklater on December 4th, 2007
I am an accodrionist and would like to know where I can find the sheet music and lyrics to Lil Wallys songs.
THANX for any info
Bob Talaga
by Bob Talaga on January 30th, 2008
Bob, check out ConcertinaMusic.com — they have tons of sheet music for the Chemnitzer concertina, including many of Lil’ Wally’s classics.
by Chris on January 30th, 2008
Thanx for the info to go to concertina .com.I currently must have well over 200 copies of music which I have printed from their site in the past few years. Most naturally, we are big fans of the “Big Joe Polka Show” and the Jimmy Sturr Show. While watching these shows, a lot of the songs played are some of which I would like to have which are not available after doing a lot of research. I would appreciate the music to -Patricia (for my wife), Come Taste the Wine from tonights Jimmy Sturr show and an old standard sung by Frank Sinatra “Oh what it seemed to be. THANX Bob Talaga
by Bob Talaga on February 1st, 2008
Lil’ Wally was the greatest, and his music still lives on in my heart and in my performances. I’m of Polish descent and come from a family of 15, where on 8332 S. Colfax, Southeast Chicago, Illinois, we grew up in a 2 bedroom home! (Daddy only made minimum wage.) We were very, very poor. Minorities today do not know what the meaning “poor” was. But, Mama and Daddy had music in their hearts, (when they weren’t fighting over poverty,) and listening to Polish radio every Sunday afternoon. I remember Daddy walking around the house bellowing “I Wish I Were Single Again,” by Lil Wally, and he would jingle the “pennies” in his pockets to make us laugh and keep our spirits up during our hardships.
When I turned 14, my girlfriends and I used to go to Marquette Gardens in Chicago for Polish Dances, where Lil Wally would perform. There I would dance with Sherry and Janie, and learned to do a “wild” Twist double-hop Polka! No other nationality could match that vigor and ectasy of hopping and twisting for several minutes on the dance floor. Ah, such a sweet scent of men and women having a “good” time together. I terribly miss those days. I was to be married in Las Vegas, but asked my future husband to go back to Chicago and let’s have a Polish Wedding, which we did. The scrumptious Polish Food, Dancing, Laughter, and Frivolity. I was in the Chicago parades, many times, cause I learned in Karaoke College with Dennis “Baby”: Richards to always sing in costume. So I started to design and sew costumes for singing and parades. I found myself being in the Mexican Parade, Puerto Rican Parade, Black Festivals, German Festivals, Irish Parade, and Italian Festivals, even Chinese doings. Then, it dawned on me, “Barbara-Ann Nowak, it is time to “love” yourself, your ancestry, and your heritage.” Perhaps, I heard one to many “Polack” jokes, and was secretly hidingmy Polish ancestry. I sewed and designed a beautiful Polish dancing girl costume with ribbons for my hair, and extra-full krenolin red skirt, with White shiny satin blouse, and White vest with little mirrors on to reflect the lights, and flowers dripping down my blonde hair, (also show a little cleavage.) Also black Polish dancing boots, to stomp loudly on the floor. There, at the Chicago Parade on Columbus Street I danced the double hop twist Polka for 6 blocks, and genuflected when I passed the grandstand to the Polish people standing there. I sang 12 songs one day at Baby Doll Polka’s club also. I wanted to sing Lil Wally Music and called him up in Florida where he purchased Frank Sinatra’s old studio. He had Jay Jay records there. We got to be good friends before he passed away. He liked to talk and chat and made me feel very comfortable, even though he is the legend of all Eastern European countries! (And even Western, he has no match.) I bought his CD and ordered Polish Song Books. I learned his music, which is a compilation of several songs. “Twirl Your Hanky Polka,” “Chicago is a Polka Town,” “Johnny’s Knocking,” with English, Polish, and French lyrics and a Polish song at the end. It lasts 11 minutes and have sung and danced to it on stage in both Chicago and now here in Las Vegas. Lil’ Wally’s song, “Why You Break All My Windows,” healed the childhood memories I have of my Mama breaking all the windows out of desperation and anger at our poverty. I guess that is a custom in Poland, a country that knows hard work, struggle, and poverty. On this week of the celebration of the Polish Constitution Day, (Poland was the 1st country in Europe to have a Constitution, all the other countries followed Poland,) I’d like to remember Lil” Wally. And yes, he wanted to die on stage, and give his last breath. I will attest to that. I even tried to get him work here in Las Vegas, where I might make his last wish come true. It never happened, but as a woman, I still uphold his magnificent legend on the stages of Las Vegas. Good-Bye Lil’ Wally, a “Good” Bye, cause you were the epitome of “Good,” and unselfishness. In his words of the song he wrote the words and music, and sang and played the drums, “I Wish I was Single Again,……..I can’t forget, the night in May, it seemed to me just yesterday, your lips met mine, in sweet again, I’ll always love you, always do, Someday, we’ll meet in Paradise, and then our love dear will always last……….” Till, that day we meet in Paradise Lil’ Wally, I will always remember to sing and dance to your music for your memory and unmatched hard work in all of the history of music. Lovingly, Barbara-Ann Kopaczewski Nowak
by Barbara Ann Nowak on May 2nd, 2008
Thanks for sharing your story, Barbara! It’s clear from your story — and others like it — that Lil’ Wally touched a lot of lives.
by Chris on May 3rd, 2008
I recently came by an early cassette of his called “NO BEER IN HEAVEN”.I decided to list it on Ebay so if you want it,check out Vincent5986 under LIL’ WALLY
by Vince on May 29th, 2008
My daughter is having her weddind day in aug. We are trying to find a copy of a certain waltz. I believe that is sang in polish, and that it spoken in english thru out the song. I also believe that the spoken part goes a little like this ( don’t cry daddy for this is my wedding day) Any help on this matter would be greatly appreciated. thank you
by Gerald Shively on July 20th, 2008
How can I obtain or see a video of Lil’ Wally playing “Johnny’s Knocking” on the Lawrence Welk Show? I saw a picture of it on You Tube, but the video was pulled.
by Rich on July 21st, 2008
My Father, Tadeuz Prus, was the Program Director, Promoter, and Radio Advertisement Salesman of “Polka Express” on station WBRB FM 102.7 in the Detroit Metro Area for 14 years. He was in partnership with “Polka Joe & Waltzing Wanda” who were the Disc Jockeys. It was very unusual and rare for an ethnic program to be on the FM air waves; almost all were AM. Anyways, my Father would bring 2 big Polka stars and bands to dances that he would promote for Polka Express. One of the Super dances that began at 2 p.m. and finished at 2 a.m., i.e., each Polka star and band played 3 hours each in a non-stop continuous Polka Jamboree consisted of Lil’ Wally, Happy Louie, Marion Lush, and Wanda & Stephanie. Did I mentioned that my Father was an Accordian and String Bass musician? A stipulation in the contracts that he negotiated with the Polka stars and bands was that he would play the String Bass for one set with them on stage, and He did!.
by Michael Prus on December 5th, 2008