Born in 1915, Frankie Yankovic was responsible for the introduction of
Cleveland style
Polkas into
the general
US musical scene.
He started on his own record label (Yankee) until after the war, where he signed with Columbia Records and has dedicated his life to his particular musical form. His record "Just Because",
which was released in 1948, by Frankie Yankovic and the Yanks, sold over 2 million copies and was followed by "Blue Skirt Waltz".
He was the recipient of the first Grammy award in the polka category in 1986 in recognition of his career.
He died in 1998.