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It's difficult to believe that no one will post any additional colorful stories about the man in the middle. It's not like there are none from which to choose.

As Ray Fallon says, he did embody much swagger. I would add that applied off the field as well, and resulted in some notable moments.

Over to you, Andy Lisko and Ray Priester, standing by...

Stories of Winky's "swagger" would stun most Whoers ... he was everything a leader should be ... he was one of my heroes ... he could charm a hooker while making her blush ... his life defined the Skyliners and he rarely missed an opportunity to engage in a confilct in defense of his corps ... I loved this man ... I followed him into battle ... he is ever present in my memory ...

I wrote this circa 1995 when Winky was failing severely in health ... it pays reverence to his ability to conjure up the demons of talent in all of us prior to a contest by unleashing his unique brand of story telling ... I hope you enjoy its meaning:

WINKY

Winky, Winky

Little Star.

How I wonder

What you are.

Out in front

You stand so proud.

Yelling “Yo” and “Corps”

So eternally loud.

Give us a speech...

Prepare us for the fight...

Spread your magic dust, Winky...

Make us winners tonight.

Would you sell your soul?

Would you cut off your arm?

Was Lombardi that great?

Or just part of your charm.

You gave us the courage

To go out and compete.

To cherish sweet victory

And stand tall in defeat.

Oh...Winky, Winky

Little Star.

I know very well now

Just what you are.

You’re the Leader of the Band...

The force of emotion...

The man with a heart

Full of love and devotion.

You’re the Skyliners, Wink,

And you’ll be to the end.

I’m so glad that I met you,

And can call you my friend.

Thirteen minutes of stardom

Was all that you asked for.

Yet you gave back to us all,

So very much more.

And when the show is all over,

The crowd will cheer beyond measure.

And I will smile and say “Thank you”,

For it’s been a great pleasure.

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Stories of Winky's "swagger" would stun most Whoers ... he was everything a leader should be ... he was one of my heroes ... he could charm a hooker while making her blush ... his life defined the Skyliners and he rarely missed an opportunity to engage in a confilct in defense of his corps ... I loved this man ... I followed him into battle ... he is ever present in my memory ...

I wrote this circa 1995 when Winky was failing severely in health ... it pays reverence to his ability to conjure up the demons of talent in all of us prior to a contest by unleashing his unique brand of story telling ... I hope you enjoy its meaning:

WINKY

Winky, Winky

Little Star.

How I wonder

What you are.

Out in front

You stand so proud.

Yelling “Yo” and “Corps”

So eternally loud.

Give us a speech...

Prepare us for the fight...

Spread your magic dust, Winky...

Make us winners tonight.

Would you sell your soul?

Would you cut off your arm?

Was Lombardi that great?

Or just part of your charm.

You gave us the courage

To go out and compete.

To cherish sweet victory

And stand tall in defeat.

Oh...Winky, Winky

Little Star.

I know very well now

Just what you are.

You’re the Leader of the Band...

The force of emotion...

The man with a heart

Full of love and devotion.

You’re the Skyliners, Wink,

And you’ll be to the end.

I’m so glad that I met you,

And can call you my friend.

Thirteen minutes of stardom

Was all that you asked for.

Yet you gave back to us all,

So very much more.

And when the show is all over,

The crowd will cheer beyond measure.

And I will smile and say “Thank you”,

For it’s been a great pleasure.

i remember reading that on ron's website andy. a great tribute to 'THE MAN " .

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Happiest of 2014 to one and all.

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Stories of Winky's "swagger" would stun most Whoers ... he was everything a leader should be ... he was one of my heroes ... he could charm a hooker while making her blush ... his life defined the Skyliners and he rarely missed an opportunity to engage in a confilct in defense of his corps ... I loved this man ... I followed him into battle ... he is ever present in my memory ...

I wrote this circa 1995 when Winky was failing severely in health ... it pays reverence to his ability to conjure up the demons of talent in all of us prior to a contest by unleashing his unique brand of story telling ... I hope you enjoy its meaning:

WINKY

Winky, Winky

Little Star.

How I wonder

What you are.

Out in front

You stand so proud.

Yelling “Yo” and “Corps”

So eternally loud.

Give us a speech...

Prepare us for the fight...

Spread your magic dust, Winky...

Make us winners tonight.

Would you sell your soul?

Would you cut off your arm?

Was Lombardi that great?

Or just part of your charm.

You gave us the courage

To go out and compete.

To cherish sweet victory

And stand tall in defeat.

Oh...Winky, Winky

Little Star.

I know very well now

Just what you are.

You’re the Leader of the Band...

The force of emotion...

The man with a heart

Full of love and devotion.

You’re the Skyliners, Wink,

And you’ll be to the end.

I’m so glad that I met you,

And can call you my friend.

Thirteen minutes of stardom

Was all that you asked for.

Yet you gave back to us all,

So very much more.

And when the show is all over,

The crowd will cheer beyond measure.

And I will smile and say “Thank you”,

For it’s been a great pleasure.

Lisko,

You should have been "Andrew O'Lisk"

You have the soul of a poet, and everyone knows those folks are Irish, not Polish.

You also see the very best in people while looking past the rest, and that's a wonderful attribute in a team activity.

Or usually - in Life.

You should make all your announcements at the BHoF shows in rhyme...

Or at least recite an epic poem...

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To the Queen and all her minions...

Happy New Year... May 2014 bring you and yours peace and tranquility...

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To the Queen and all her minions...

Happy New Year... May 2014 bring you and yours peace and tranquility...

i see ya waited for the ball to drop.

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bravo Andy!

and Happy New year!

What Jeff said... great stuff, Andy!!!

Happy New Year to all the Guess Who folks!!!!

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You mean, if you had chosen the Hershey Highway instead of the road you chose?

Truly the road less traveled. :tongue:

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The middle man was never going to win any trophies for diplomacy.

Ten years earlier, St. Catherine's Queensmen stood on retreat at Union City at their very last contest. The corps was folding, and this had just been announced to the crowd. There was short, weird sound from the stands followed by applause which grew into a standing ovation. Our sadness was palpable.

The man in question, whose corps stood next to us, took this opportunity to stroll over and announce, "OK, you guys, rehearsal's on Tuesday night!"

Though his corps had been the favorite of most of us to that point, only one of our number eventually joined his team. About 25 of the rest of us went to a much less-accomplished unit 'way out on Long Island, instead.

I often wonder what would have happened if he had held his fire just a bit, and those homeless juniors had followed their original intention. We'll never know.

That would have changed drum corps history.

I'm not sure the Sunrisers would ever have been put on the map if all you guys made the "Sky" move instead.

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