JZ1

The Eldoradans, were Founded by Larry Roads, who at 22 finished his marching with Troopers and USAF Drum Corps. Blue Knights asked him to teach and he improved them greatly. They had been doing nothing but parades for a decade. He wanted to have them travel and compete, they declined and my mother Evelyn Zarlengo suggested he start his own corps. She told him I will handle the details and you teach...The Eldoradans were born. Larry wrote, designed, created uniforms, and drove the bus. With little girls, and an instructor who never did guard, the Eldoradans went to the Winterguard National Championships( at that time ),in Chicago and beat the reigning Cavaliers and many others to take 2nd ...just behind the Skylarks. The cheif Judge Alex Hadad said the Eldoradans play with fire and do exchanges and have designs that the big coprs and guards won't try. The Eldoradans founded a drum corps show -first at 6th and Kipling then Mile High stadium called Drums Along the Rockies, and because of political involvement by channel 9 and Troopers they sold concessions( and got no exposure) in their own show...Later DCI and Blue Knights claimed they founded it!...No matter, The eldoradans uniforms, show concepts, and music was always just ahead of the major corps, but with no sponsor and limited recruitment they only lasted from 1970-1977. But many of the members had great careers with other corps, and in music, and other fields. The Eldoradans planted many seeds that others are reaping now. Unfortunately many don't know and aknowledge Larry's and the Eldoradans many contributions to the activity that we all enjoy so much. JZ in Denver