A True Legend Has Passed

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of a Manitoba music legend, Bill Woloshyn of the Interlake Polka Kings, passed away on August 3, 2009.

Bill’s great passion was playing the accordion. He had a unique style that no one could compare. He began playing at age 12 and continued to play for events, family and friends throughout his illness. He loved to watch the crowd dance to the music he played. He held a soft spot for people in personal care homes and enjoyed entertaining them. In 1964, together with his wife Mary, he founded the Interlake Polka Kings and became legendary for his grass roots Ukrainian music. Their songs were about the common working man; all of them striking a note with people who work for a living. The songs injected humour into the lives of people who farmed, worked hard, believed in the future, had faith in their abilities and an undying belief that even if things were rough … next year would be better . Bill respected the honesty and hard working quality in people… and people could feel that in his music. The band members changed over the years but the spirit of the music always remained. Bill loved to talk to people and had a good sense of humour. He never entered a room quietly and always managed to break the silence with a comment or joke that made people smile or laugh. He had a positive outlook and even when things were difficult he always believed they would get better.