Chicago (PMN)--The Who had "Tommy," The Kinks had "Arthur," and now The Polkaholics have "Wally." That’s right, The Polkaholics went operatic and debuted their rock-polka-opera "Wally," featuring 12 new songs based on the life and times of polka king Li’l Wally at a birthday show. (Opera glasses were reported to be optional.)

Polka King Li’l Wally, who was born on August 1, 1930, and died on August 17, 2006, was renowned for his extraordinary drumming and singing style. He revolutionized polka in the 1950s and 1960s by slowing it down to a danceable tempo, which became known as the "Chicago Style" polka sound. He was arguably the most influential polka artist of the 20th century, and is considered the Muddy Waters or Charlie Parker of polka.

Although Li’ Wally Jagiello retired to Florida in later years, the Polkaholics brought him back to Chicago for several memorable shows in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Now, to honor his legacy, The Polkaholics will tell the story of his rise to Chicago polka glory and Florida sunset in polka-rock-opera form, presenting new storied-songs like "Son of a Gun Polka," "Division Street," "Sea and Sand Polka," "The Day The Polka Died," "King of Happiness," and more.

From a boy singing along with polka bands at Caldwell Woods at the border of Chicago and Niles, Illinois, to being featured on the Lawrence Welk show and playing for the Pope at the Vatican, Li’l Wally was the Horatio Alger of polka. Now his story will be immortalized by his devotees, the Polkaholics. Li’l Wally memorabilia was on display at the event and raffled for lucky attendees.

All of this happened on Li’l Wally’s birthday, Friday August 1, 2008, at Quenchers Saloon, a Chicago neighborhood locale that absolutely fits Wally’s polka for the people approach and attitude.

For a biography of Li’l Wally Jagiello visit http://www.internationalpolka.com/jagiello.htm .