Your favorite All-Time DCI Year

[Tim K]

58 minutes ago, Fran Haring said:

Watching the PBS broadcast of Finals in 1980, I honestly thought Bridgemen had won. They were absolutely killin' it that night.

A great Finals to cap off a terrific season for DCI.

Prior to finals, I was sure it would be 27th, especially after Allentown (a show I wish I saw). Spirit made me more nervous than  Bridgemen. I also still think 27th was robbed and where less than a point separated the top four during the"tic" days, you can make that argument and agree to disagree.

[N.E. Brigand]

35 minutes ago, mingusmonk said:

80

89 (I know 88 gets all of the love, but 89 was superior) 

08

16

This exactly.

Coincidentally, there's a wink to the camera in the 1989 Finals video as well. Does anybody remember which corps?

[IllianaLancerContra]

1980

I was at the Michigan City show when, after Spirit had finished, the announcer (Joe Bruni or something like that?  Used to announce like 'The BLLLLUUUUUE DEV-ILS) said "Ladies & gentlemen; the window cracks in the press-box just got bigger"  & the legend that SOA broke press-box glass was born.

 

1979 was no slouch year either

Edited May 24, 2018 by IllianaLancerContra
Old F*rt memory added

[CrownBariDad]

As a relative DCI newbie, for me it has to be 2013:  E = mc2

This Crown Family was happy. (Spirit did well, too.)

[Fran Haring]

2 hours ago, Tim K said:

Prior to finals, I was sure it would be 27th, especially after Allentown (a show I wish I saw). Spirit made me more nervous than  Bridgemen. I also still think 27th was robbed and where less than a point separated the top four during the"tic" days, you can make that argument and agree to disagree.

To me, just watching the Finals broadcast, that 27th was solid at Finals, but for whatever reason it seemed that it wasn't their best run. Not quite flat, but just a bit out of steam.

You and me, watching the same show, with different perspectives.  LOL.

Gotta be honest.... in hindsight, knowing now that 1980 Finals would be the Lancers' last, best shot at a DCI title... I wish they had won that night in Birmingham. So close.

Edited May 25, 2018 by Fran Haring

[Fran Haring]

14 minutes ago, CrownBariDad said:

As a relative DCI newbie, for me it has to be 2013:  E = mc2

This Crown Family was happy. (Spirit did well, too.)

Horn line was unreal that year, even by Crown standards!!!

Saw them at the West Chester, PA, show the week before championships... and Crown's line was literally flawless. Amazing.

Edited May 24, 2018 by Fran Haring

[luv4corps]

2012

[Tim K]

1 hour ago, Fran Haring said:

To me, just watching the Finals broadcast, that 27th was solid at Finals, but for whatever reason it seemed that it wasn't their best run. Not quite flat, but just a bit out of steam.

You and me, watching the same show, with different perspectives.  LOL.

Gotta be honest.... in hindsight, knowing now that 1980 Finals would be the Lancers' last, best shot at a DCI title (I know they were still great in 1981, but didn't come as close as '80)... i wish they had won that night in Birmingham. So close.

Some of they key people of 1980 felt the show was not what DCI East had been though not George Zingali. If you remember the broadcast, he was about ready to explode. I also recall reading in the historic thread some Blue Devils felt their show was off, and like you thought it would go to Bridgemmen. When I saw 27th early in 1981, I was certain they would win the title, but there was a great deal of turmoil that would happen down the road and the season ended up being erratic. Also SCV and Madison were in stronger form.

However, like a true Bostonian, I always root for the home team. I will not deny that I can be a bit biased towards Boston Crusaders and I’ll always miss 27th and North Star. I also knew people who marched in each corps. Probably the reason I’m still alive today is I never said which I liked best.

Edited May 25, 2018 by Tim K

[leed17]

I think 1990 was pretty stacked...PR and BD started the season the faves and we’re undefeated early on, and then Cavies upset them at a Midwest regional, then Star won a regional , SCV won dci south regional, and then Cadets won DCI East.  There were six corps vying for the title that week in Buffalo.  Add on a great Crossmen show (NY Voices!), Dutch Boy first time in finals, VK with another funny show, Spirit going back to a southern style, and Bluecoats powering thru an entertaining Duke Ellington show and that season stands out for me.  I think the only corps that had an off year that season in the top 12 was Madison, but they were still entertaining...

[the hammer]

1978 - The first year I understood what I was watching and SCV won their 3rd title in Denver.

1980 - My favorite year of the top 12, top to bottom. I was in A-town at DCI East when 27th beat BD. I thought it would carry through to Finals. Not to be. BD was awesome in B-ham. What a year though. 27th and Bridgemen represented the East well, Spirit's horn and drumline, Madison's closer, SCV's Stone Ground Seven and drill, Crossmen, Cavies' step over company front, North Star's last year in Finals and Blue Stars first year out. Hard to believe that is 38 years ago.