Kenny Bass

Kenny Bass (1922 – 1987), born Peter Bastasic Jr., was the Dean of Cleveland-Style polka broadcasters, and led the Kenny Bass Polka Poppers Orchestra. He served in the U.S. Navy as a radio man in the Pacific. He was awarded three Battle Stars and a Purple Heart and then started his broadcasting career in 1948 on station WSRS.[1] His show was America’s first daily polka show.[2]

Bands

From 1945 until 1950, he was a member of the Sokach-Habat Tunemixers. He formed the Polka Poppers in 1950,[3][4] which was one of the most prolific polka recording orchestras. They made 17 albums and had more than 200 singles.[5] They had their own television show in 1954 and 1960 and had guest appearances on Polka Varieties, and the Old Dutch Polka Revue. The Kenny Bass Orchestra was in the film One Potato, Two Potato in 1962.[6][7]

His albums included: Polka Lovers' Time, Toe Tappin' Polkas, Snap Happy Polkas, Polka!Polka!Polka!, and It’s Happy Polka Time.[8]

Honors

He was the recipient of the National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award in 1989.[9][10]

References
  1. "Kenny Bass". Clevelandstyle.com. Retrieved 2020-01-09.
  2. Dutka, Alan F. (2017-10-02). Slovenians in Cleveland: A History. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4396-6275-5.
  3. Inc, Nielsen Business Media (1957-03-09). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.
  4. "Musicians Pay Tribute to the Late Polka Star Kenny Bass at Kirtland's SNPJ Farm". CoolCleveland. 2017-08-14. Retrieved 2020-01-09.
  5. "Kenny Bass And His Polka Poppers Discography - USA - 45cat". 45cat.com. Retrieved 2020-01-09.
  6. "Kenny Bass". Clevelandstyle.com. Retrieved 2020-01-09.
  7. Dutka, Alan F. (2017-10-02). Slovenians in Cleveland: A History. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4396-6275-5.
  8. "Kenny Bass And His Polka Poppers". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2020-01-09.
  9. "Kenny Bass". Clevelandstyle.com. Retrieved 2020-01-09.
  10. "Musicians Pay Tribute to the Late Polka Star Kenny Bass at Kirtland's SNPJ Farm". CoolCleveland.com. 2017-08-14. Retrieved 2020-01-09.
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