CODI

The first World Open was in September at Roosevelt Stadium in Jersey City, N.J. where both Juniors and seniors performed. In 1964 it was held at Hedges Stadium in Bridgeport right after the VFW's which were held in Cleve, Ohio. What a lineup of corps that year, with Chicago, Racine, SAC, BAC, Seldon, St. Lucy's. Hedges Stadium was a much smaller stadium, so the next year they moved to the new JFK Stadium which was also in Bridgeport. In 1965 the World Open was moved to Lynn. Fleetwood Recordsand DCN's had their offices in the next city in Revere. The move made since, and at that time Manning Bowl was in good shape. CODI

Puppet: I did not see your reply until this evening, and I have to agree Royal Airs of 65 were great!!!! Imagine not marching with any contra bass, and able to achieve that great sound. I remember watching them on some high retaining wall in McCormick Place, and the opening fanfare should blew everyone away. It is too bad the Nationals were held indoors that year because of rain. In 1964 The Troopers ventured East and their debut at the "World Open". They did not finish in the top 10 since PAL of Bridgeport beat them, by the way, did I say the World Open was held at Hedges Stadium, which was in the City of Bridgeport. Yes, the good old days of drum corps! The Troopers were invited back for the finals that evening and they put on an exhibition, and tore the place down. That was the beginning of the West invasion. Yes Puppet, there were some great adventures back then, whether it was at a show in Bridgeport between, St. Lucy's and Boston, or about the one with Boston and the New York Skyliners, or at the 1967 AL National Parade in Boston with Boston and Chicago. It was all about winning, and that is what it is all about. As the great Vince Lombardi stated, "Show me a loser and and I'll show you a loser."!!!! Green Bay had some great teams that won 5 championships out 8 years in the NFL, and that includes the first two Super Bowls. Just thinking of the good old days. Codi

Those were the good old days!!! You listened, and you obeyed as to what was to happen. Isn't it funhy that Manning Bowl was sold out during those years, and some great show were to be seen. Meanwhile, DCI is having trouble filling the stadium through the years. Attendance has dropped!!! Remember the big crowds in Montreal!! Plus, we had some great bistros that we could enjoy the ambiance of Montreal! I am sure Indianapolis has some great McDonalds, and Burger Kings. The Party is over, and it is only a matter of time before DCI self destructs!!! CODI

Let's thank "DCI"!!!! Another corps bites the dust!!!!!! Now we are down to 20. Just thinking of the good old days. CODI

Yes, Yes, Yes, Moe was there taking pictures when no one else was. I remember him at many at World Open on the side lines taking some great shots. Whether it was Jersey City, Bridgeport, or Lynn, there he was clicking away. I remember being at the DREAM and he had a table set up selling his prints, and you could not get near it. I have some great shots of Skyliners, Cabs, Hurcs, Boston, which are framed in my office at work. Got getem "Moe"!!!! Codi

I remember seeing "Chuck" in concert at Symphony Hall in Boston with a full symphony behine him. I believe Gary Niewood was on reeds with him at the time. It was one of the greatest nights of music. If I am not mistaken, that night he told us how he held himself captive in a hotel room for a weekend to write the score for the movie. Guess what? The movie was never released!!! I can't remember the star of the movie, but he was in "Zorba The Greek". and he was to be the lead in this movie. Never made it to the "Silver Screen"!!! CODI

Thank you so much for the welcome back, I guess nobody else is happy that I am back, but I am!!!! I met with Richard Hurtz, you might remember him he lives out in Holden, he said to say to everyone. Saturday/Duke Thursday/ NCS Sunday / Virginia 3 more losses. "Just thinking of the good old times" Remember, we are only here for a short time so let's have a great time CODI

Years ago when Stan Kenton had his big band, he had a great tuba player. Can anyone remember who it was? I will have to dig out my old LPS to find out. CODI

I was at the Boston College basketball game last night, when my buddy received a call that the current "horn" instructor was fired by "Flabo"!!!! Rumors have it that Buzzy Bergdoll is taking over the reigns. Interesting!!! My question to a certain individual is are you coming back? Just thinking of the good old days!!!! CODI

The following will be in top 12: Boston Crusaders Blessed Sacrament Golden Knights Cambridge Cabs Chicago Royal Airs Chicago Cavs Garfield Cadets Casper Troopers St. Vincent Cadets St. Kevin's Emerald Knights Madison Explorer Scouts Skokie Vanguard Belleville Black Knights. I'm sorry, I just woke up from a dream. "Just thinking of the good old days"!!! CODI

How about the night in 1967 at The Boston Crusaders Color Guard Contest at the Victory Road Armory in Dorchester, and A.J. (Tony) Smith marched out on the floor with the double bass drum all tied together with clothes line. That certainly changed the sound and music of drum lines. I believe the next year Boston marched with tymps!!! Def changing drum corps for ever!!! Just thinking of the good old days. CODI

I have just picked up this book and it is great!! I am now at the point where he is at West Point!!! What a dedicated man!!! No wonder he was a winner. CODI

Typical DCI!!! Why didn't they have them on a back up disc on a site in storage!! Thank god they weren't the Bank of America!!! The country would be in trouble. CODI

Sorry, I left out the two Conn Corps. Park City Pride looked great, one of the largest horn lines, and also the best color guard. They happened to stop right by us on Front Street, and I got to talk with one of the gals of Pride City. She had her music taped to the bell of her mellophone. We had a nice converstion. Conn. Alumni came down the street, and some of their members jumped out of the Galway Pub and joined the parade. They sounded great!!!!! CODI

Contra Lou: Thanks for the info you provided. In 1960,61,62,63, I would go over to Franklin Park and watch SKEK practice behind the closed gates. They would never allow anyone outside the corps to watch the practice inside. Evidently, they were The New England Patriots of that era. In 1965 if I am correct SKEK with their horn line led by Bergdoll never beat Boston in horns. I know for a fact SKEK never beat Boston after 1964. I have a copy of a letter that was send out to the SKEK members telling them they better get their act together. They were worrying about the "Jersey Boy's" so much they forgot what was happening their own back yard. If I can dig it up I will post it. It will show how competitive it was back in that era. Yes, drum corps was a 12 month "sport". As soon as the season was over you alway had a horn/drum rehearsal on Wed night, M&M on Friday night, and on Sunday it was horn/music from Noon to six. This went on until you were able to get outdoors, and then it was every night, all day saturday, and all day Sunday. By the way some of us had full time jobs(40hours). Not like today where Mommy and Daddy pay the $2,000.00 and let little Jeffery go off and play drum corps for the summer. Hope you are enjoying the BC/URI game, as you can see I am working very hard this evening. Talk to you later. Just remembering the good old days! CODI