bob Clark

It was 1979....a new powerhouse called "Spirit of Atlanta" was spreading it's wings. 4 hour drive. Home team so to speak. My dream. A friend was marching and a hole opened in the drum line in Late December. I drove over to a rehersal in January. My tryout was with Tom Float.....Tom: "You any good man"? Me: "Yeah"...Tom: "You're in.....the line is in that room...go on in". The next three years are the history that has been a foundation for all of my life.

I for sure thought we were going this way..... http://youtu.be/s-cXP1uDFpA?t=1s Drat.

If I recall, SCV in 1979 practiced the "Bottle Dance" in secret and used it only at finals. Spirit was in third going into finals. It is possible that the addition of "bottle Dance" for just the finals performance may have pushed them over the top into third place. I seem to recall it wasn't the cleanest performance of "Bottle Dance", but with all of the babies flying around, it was hard to tell if there were any GE issues.

She's a fan.....heck....I'm a fan......of her....

Memphis, TN - 1980.

"Let's do the "Pitch Bend" again......"

I have had the opportunity to hear the opener a few times this year....very nice. Opens peacefully.....but finishes with a lot of power. Lows and Mid range have a great presence with the highs providing a nice blend.

Old shtick....sure. But in just another take.... How many of us have been pulled into the bosses' office and had this exact scenario played out...for sure not drum corps...a product launch...manufacturing hitch. That is why we laugh...we have been there. That is why this is still funny "WHAT DO YOU MEAN THE FLANGE ISN'T READY!!!!!!! ALL OF YOU SHOULD DIEEEE!!!" Yep this one is about the latest change (and lord I hope it is an effective change for the betterment of the activity we all love so much). But for the video...makes many subjects humorous. Just waiting for woodwinds to pass....that one will be "spit-take" worthy.

One happy...one sad....but both memorable..... Memphis, TN 1980 - Standstill of most of the show.....with marching "Let It Be Me". Brimingham, AL 1980 - Finals performance.....all of the emotion was released from an entire summer.

I'm thinking "The Brown Note" award. I can see the trophy....brown painted undies.

I understand all of the various opinions posted here on thistopic. I truly understand both sides of this issue. After my sister died, a trophy was named in her honor. Sixmonths later, I won the gold medal and the trophy. Interestingly enough, it wasfor ice dancing….and I was 10 years old. Fast forward 10 years, and now I am one of the performers inSpirit that fateful night. I think our youngest member was 15 or so….all theway to 21. For many, this was their first experience with death outside ofimmediate family, or their first experience at all. I can’t speak for anyone other than myself (having cookedhamburgers with Maggie and Jim at their home prior to tour) I can say that thecompetitive aspect was not a part of me that day and as far as I can tell noone else’s either. We must keep in mind that one of our members was involved inthe accident as well as other staff who were severely injured. That performance was between the member of the corps, JimOtt and the other members of the Spirit family who were injured that day. In other competitive instances, often the athletes are olderand often more experienced with the grief process than perhaps we were thatnight. I will always be proud of my performance that night, thereasons for the presentation as such, and most importantly, sharing my soulwith my corps family, the other corps assembled, and the wonderful audience in attendancethat evening. To everyone here my highest regards and respect, Bob Clark Spirit of Atlanta 79-81

As one of the members, all I remember is that we were determined to to perform, however, we weren't sure how far we could get. The solution to do the show as a standstill with the drill to LIBM was felt to be the best tribute....and what we felt in our hearts..play his music...and perform the music and drill as a personal statement to Jim. I was a bear to play while crying the whole time. It was the most memorable performance of a lifetime for me.