National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame and Museum
605 East 222nd Street
Euclid, OH 44123
USA
E-mail: Polkashop@aol.com
Phone: 216-261-3263
Toll Free: 1-800-66POLKA
Fax: 216-261-4134
Joe was a polka pioneer, performing on the banjo and guitar on early recordings that
helped to crystallize the Cleveland-Style sound. Joe was born in Burdine, Pennsylvania,
and moved to Cleveland in 1927. He played for dances and picnics with young musicians,
like teenagers Johnny Pecon and Eddie Habat. He first recorded with RCA Victor in
1929 and later appeared on Martin Antoncic’s Slovenian radio shows. His rhythms can
be heard on the Joe Kusar Trio’s 1942 hit tunes for Continental, "Moja Baba Je Pijana"
and "Pod Mojem Okencem." Joe was one of Frank Yankovic’s Yanks from 1942 until his
death. He cut more than forty songs with him, such as "Bye Bye Baby" and "My Honey
Is Wandering." Many became standards and Joe’s banjo beat influenced generations
of musicians.
Inducted in 2013
National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame
Trustees Honor Roll Recipient
JOE MIKLAVIC
1905 - 1946
www.polkafame.com © National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame and Museum, 605
East 222nd Street, Euclid, OH 44123, USA.
