Don Lipovac

“One of a Kind” Don Lipovac

A virtuoso accordionist, Lipovac-of Slovenian heritage, passed away in 2014, and was nationally recognized for his musical genius. He became famous in the polka world with the formation of the Don Lipovac Orchestra in the late 1960’s. Slovenia’s national folk instrument is the button box accordion, the first instrument Lipovac picked up at the age of 4. It was a present from Matt, his grandpa, his father’s father.

Three years later he took up the piano accordion. In 1952, at the age of 16, he won the Ted Mack Amateur Hour in New York.  In 1958, Lipovac won the American Accordion Association Competition at Carnegie Hall, in New York. He won first place.

In September of 1958, in Brussels, Belgium, he competed at the International Accordion Contest at the World’s Fair. Out of 21 others he placed 4th.

Don graduated from the Kansas City Conservatory of Music. Don appeared on the Lawrence Welk’s television Show. He was a guest performer with the Kansas City Philharmonic Orchestra.

He preserved the Slovenian and Croatian musical heritage through the formation of the Strawberry Hill Catholic Club Tamburitzans. Teaching the music from the old country to students from Grade 4 through high school. Their first performance was in the St John’s School Auditorium in 1967.

In 1992, he was inducted into the Polka Hall of Fame.

“There won’t always be Slavic Immigrants here and this heritage is too valuable to be lost.”

Exhibit items were donated by relatives, friends and fans.