Joe S

So sorry for your loss.

Yes ,Billy was there.

Congratulations Frank! It is well deserved. The older I get, the more I'm impressed with your knowledge . I'm proud to say I learned from you. Would have loved to have march with you in DCA just once to pick you brain even more. Thanks for all of the great memories

He still is ! I wonder how many people realize the little blonde kid in the "No More War " poster from 1972 and JR on the podium playing the mock solo are one in the same.

The mock soloist in 1980 was 14. 1980 was his 3rd year marching.

I made the Garfield soprano line at the age of 13 in "72" and did 9 years. My brother Jarrod made the line at the ripe old age of 12 in "78" and stayed till "83".

Hey Mike 1975 was the first time we made DCI finals and our Pal, Ironlips was just as nervous as any member on the field. But I think we did him proud!

Really ? I was one of those guys that hung out with you guys in Denver. I was invited up and had a great time. Back in 1972 or 73 I had a few guys from the Crusaders stay at my home when they came in for the show in Garfield. Back in those days corps put visiting corps up in there homes. I can remember one year we put up Boston and Chicago during the same weekend. Those guys were cool, but one was terrified of our NJ. mosquitos! Yes terrified . 1980 I played football for Royal Brigade .We came up to Boston ,played had a good game and everyone was cool. Hooligans ? Thanks for the compliment ! We had a great staff... What was that's guy's name? ONLY KIDDING!!The brass guy's were very dedicated to us and us to them. They could get us to walk through fire if they wanted.

George was not only a great player, he was a great guy and friend. It's a shame he passed way too early.

I studied with Jerry Callet back in the early 80's for a little while. We started talking before a lesson started and the topic of drum corps came up. Jerry asked me if I knew Tom (Bucky) Swan and Gus Wilkie, I said sure. Jerry told me Bucky and Gus had taken a few lessons and Bucky had the most raw talent of anyone who had ever walked into his studio. Bucky and Gus taught me how to play from the very beginning. I wish I had some of the old records my parents had (I wish I took care of those old records). I would love to hear some of that stuff again. Those guys will be missed!

You understand why? The midrange were just freaks. Sopranos are drum corps. royalty! Well baris and contras, are, well, a necessary evil!!!!!!! ONLY KIDDING!

Isn't that the truth! Screamed at,yelled at, and kicked in the butt. Discipline at it's finest. LOL

I drive past old Hinchcliff Stadium several times a week,while working. What a shame!The place is in shambles.There has been several attemps to renovate it. It never get past the planning stage.Besides many drum corps.shows,there was stock car racing,concerts, semi pro football and semi pro basseball events.The place has a lot of history. Mike, the armory is shut down now and also in very bad shape. Anyone remember Newark School Stadium on Bloomfield Ave.,Newark?That was in very bad shape too.The city of Newark did a beautiful job renovating it.Turf field and all.

75,77,80

1975,1977, and 1980.

Hope to see you there Tony

It was a fun show to play, thanks. The guys had fun breaking my chops the first couple of times we rehearsed Jarrod standing on the podium pretending to play the solo. He is my brother so you can guess what kind of ribbing I got especially in not such a political world.

Sorry it wasn't a rumor. It was Al Chez playing behind the drumline. If you take a close look at the video Jarrod's (the young man)hands are streched out holding his horn in one hand ,his shacko in the other and Al was still screaming in the backround.The whole thing was planned that way.

In 1972 I had guys from 27, Boston, and Cavies stay at my home during the 4 shows we had that year. Never mind the guys from Garfield that stayed with us.Over the years I marched and the years my brother marched my house was like a hotel. Funny thing one year we had someone from Garfield stay at my house all summer. He was a vegetarian. My mother made separate meals for him.The last show of the year (the Booton show for you who remember it) my mother caught him eating a hot dog. She asked him what he was doing. he replied " my girl friend got me to eat meat " my mother almost killed him!!!!!!

I studied with Jerry Callet in NYC for a little while and Jerry said Bucky (Tom Swan) and Gus Wilke (another great instructor/player in his own right)came into his studio to share a lesson. He said that Bucky had the best RAW chops he had ever seen!!!!

I think Dennis marched up to 76 or 77. I think he was still there in 77 ,but for sure 76

Thanks for the good words. It was a fun show to play, The soprano soloist was Chris Trimblet and the baritone soloist was his brother Jim. They came from the Saints and the guys could play. If my memory serves my right, I think Chris won the soprano individuals that year. The drum major/soloist was Greg "Doc" Cinzio" And YES everyone one of those ladies could play!!!!! I gotta say Frank was like the Pied Piper, He could make us jump thru rings of fire.

1973 we needed contras desperately, so I took one for the team.I switched over from soprano. While on tour,just before we entered the field at a show, my contra fell apart.The Cavies loaned us a horn .The quartermaster from the Cavies told me the story. He said "you know what happened the last time we loaned you guys some equipment? He gave me the whole story.

Hey Pete,Killer Hornline.I would love to hear them again