Inducted - Detroit 2006
Bogdan "Billy" Topolski was born April 18, 1935, to Pavla and Velinka Topolski who emigrated from Serbia in the mid-1920s to Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada with their oldest son, Stevo. After Billy's brother Nedeljko and sister Nada were born, the family moved to Toronto, Ontario, Canada where Billy was born.
With his brothers and sisters playing in a large local tamburitza group, young Billy took to practicing when they weren't using their instruments. These sibling role models, his parents' love of singing, and Billy's own dedication to the art virtually guaranteed his success in music. By age 10 he was playing the "D" prim in the group with his siblings, and by age 13, he was playing with the Joksimovic Brothers' Orchestra - George on prim, Kenny on brac, Danny on bass, and Billy on kontra. He also continued to perform with his family and other local musicians for parties, slavas, and their own enjoyment.
The family moved to Windsor, Ontario in 1951 and, shortly after arriving there, Billy began his apprenticeship as a book binder and later received his journeyman's card. He went on to receive another journeyman's card as a lithographer and practiced this trade until his retirement earlier this year.
In 1952, Billy helped organize the Slavuj Orchestra while continuing to fill in on kontra with orchestras like Djuro Bogicevic featuring Sasa Milanovic, Marija ("Lefty") Blazen, and Andrea Culig. Billy also filled in for Frank Cvetnich of the Balkan Cavaliers with Ludwig Kosovec, Chuck Bidoli, and John Kosovec.
The Slavuj Orchestra initially featured Helen Peskin (wife of Julius Peskin), Mike Adams, Chic Skaljac, and Billy on kontra. After a couple of years, Helen left the group and was replaced by Sanda Pavlovich on the accordion. Slavuj's only recording, a long-play album, remains a classic.
Around 1964, the group's name was changed to Orchestra Lira under which it released several treasured recordings. After Mike and Chic left, Lira was joined by Mark Kramarich and Dan Radakovic. The Kosovec brothers, Ken and Dennis, are also Lira alumni. The group continued to evolve with the addition of Sanda's son, Pero, and Johnny Lazich. Lira currently performs with Billy Topolski, Sanda Pavlovich, Pero Pavlovic, Andy Dokmanovich, and Mike Sandelich.
Billy and his partner, Sanda, have backed up many artists from Europe over the years including Predrag Gojkovic, Nada Mamula, and Dusan Nikolic. Here in the states, they've played for Vinka Ellesin, Edo Ljubic, and Sophie Topalski. If their resume wasn't impressive enough, Lira was also selected to perform for the University of Michigan, Miami of Ohio University, State of Ohio Ethnic Music Festival, Old Town University of Folk Dance in Chicago, Ontario Freedom Festival, many Tamburitza Extravaganzas, and perhaps their most treasured performance, the Popovic Brothers' Testimonial -- none of which would have been possible without the powerful vocals and musicianship of Bogdan "Billy" Topolski.
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