iSteve51 Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 I noticed there wasn't a thread for the Blue Knights, and not a lot of media is available online. I figured it may be good to start a thread for vets and fans to share stories about the Blue Knights prior to say... 2000? I am currently going through the corps archives of video, newspapers, photos, etc. and would really love to discuss the history of a corps that not a lot of people seem to know about (again, not a lot of info on this corps from the earlier days) I'll start by sharing some vintage photos! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northern Thunder Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 (edited) Those are great photos! The first time I ever saw BK was at 1977 DCI prelims in Boulder. I know that was their second to last field performance until the 1980 season. (Their final performance was two days later, at the American Legion Nationals prelims in Denver.) Edited June 10, 2015 by Northern Thunder 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iSteve51 Posted June 11, 2015 Author Share Posted June 11, 2015 Those are great photos! The first time I ever saw BK was at 1977 DCI prelims in Boulder. I know that was their second to last field performance until the 1980 season. (Their final performance was two days later, at the American Legion Nationals prelims in Denver.) Was the lack of performances in the late 1970's due to their financial woes and dwindling member numbers? I was reading newspaper clippings about how the corps almost folded before the Roger Newcomer and his wife came in and helped the corps financially and with new uniforms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northern Thunder Posted June 11, 2015 Share Posted June 11, 2015 (edited) There was never any story about their disappearance in any of the drum corps newspapers or magazines. Of course a drum corps going inactive was commonplace at the time. I always thought there must have been a major problem in order for BK to go inactive for the '78 season, when DCI was in their backyard. Edited June 11, 2015 by Northern Thunder 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iSteve51 Posted June 11, 2015 Author Share Posted June 11, 2015 There was never any story about their disappearance in any of the drum corps newspapers or magazines. Of course a drum corps going inactive was commonplace at the time. I always thought there must have been a major problem in order for BK to go inactive for the '78 season, when DCI was in their backyard. I'll try to dig up the paper if I can. There seems to be no info I have found on this era in the corps history, but you've shed more light than I could have! Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northern Thunder Posted June 11, 2015 Share Posted June 11, 2015 I just remembered that BK's history was included in volume 2 of the Drum Corps World history books. It stated that the Blue Knights were in pretty bad shape financially by 76-77, and in '78 they just did parades and shopping center concerts with a small group of members. New management stepped in and wisely kept the corps fairly quiet until finances improved. The rest is history. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iSteve51 Posted June 11, 2015 Author Share Posted June 11, 2015 I just remembered that BK's history was included in volume 2 of the Drum Corps World history books. It stated that the Blue Knights were in pretty bad shape financially by 76-77, and in '78 they just did parades and shopping center concerts with a small group of members. New management stepped in and wisely kept the corps fairly quiet until finances improved. The rest is history. May have to pick up that book! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iSteve51 Posted June 23, 2015 Author Share Posted June 23, 2015 31 years ago at the Moonlight Classic (which was last night), the Velvet Knights equipment truck died on the way to the show. The Blue Knights generously let VK borrow all of their equipment! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Mac Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 If I remember correctly, there was a rumor going through the stands on this night that VK would not be performing. Then all of the sudden they appeared in jeans and white t-shirts and did a great performance. I didn't know who they got their equipment from. Great story. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iSteve51 Posted July 4, 2015 Author Share Posted July 4, 2015 Some more retro Blue Knights, this time from July 4th, 1976 which was the nations bicentennial as well as Colorado's centennial celebration. These photos were taken at the JeffCo Fairgrounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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