Jeff Ream Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 Even though a lot of the corps mentioned in this thread are before my time or before my memory, and the same with some of the people, I love following along. I always wished I had had a chance to march with the Yankee Rebels. My dad was there 73-76, and my first drum corps memories are tagging along with Dad down 83 to The Post, and killing time watching rehearsals. That sound, the mystique....It always captured my 4-7 year old heart and mind. Even when in 89 I began my days with Westshore, I've always said if the Rebels came back to the field I'd march, and even now, 18 years after I last strapped on a drum, i'd still give it a shot. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Ream Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 Heh, he had his moments. uh yeah. that's all I'll say here 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsksun4 Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 The Dancing Cymbals ... now there's a throwback to the 50's ... the guy in the pic was definitely one of 'em ... he took over as DM for Sky in 1960 and a new chapter in their fabled history was started ... literally ... he was prototype for that era with the likes of McConkey at Archie and Hooten at the I-Men, YR and Reilly (hey, the guy got around!) ... :-) Andy, do you recall who fronted them before Wink? And was he charismatic as well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rayfallon Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 The Greenwood Lake AL Post played host to the Skyliners for their spring "weekend" rehearsal each May ... it was the weekend where the drill was finalized and final cuts were made ... it was a ritualistic weekend ... a "right of passage" for rookies ... and a Saturday night "showtime" where corps members showed their "unique" talents on stage ... naturally, Friday and Saturday nights also meant venturing into town to visit the local watering holes ... Andre's was one of the favorite spots and things got quite interesting on one or more occasions ... Greenwood Lake was also the place where the famous Portrait In Brass album was recorded by Fleetwood in 1962 ... Priester can fill in the details (he was there as a kid) but, the short story is that the recording session took place after an all out brawl at Andre's the night before ... Andy "I have my own Greenwood Lake tales" Lisko And these are the Greenwood Lake tales you can tell on a family rated blog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rayfallon Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 Ray F, I couldn't leg one out even when I played ball back then. Ask McGuinness, who ran up my back rounding third when he smacked one down the line one day at St. Francis Prep. I had started from second. So many of our compatriots who marched during the "Winky Era" are wont to be dismissive of today's more choreographic appoach to drum corps but none of us could handle the footwork of the present. Not a prayer. We did, however, play with a far more lusty and robust sound, and it had little to do with the key of G. Winky was a man born for the times, who knew he belonged in front of that kind of intensity. I couldn't even handle the footwork of the mid-70s! Ask Gene, who to this day refers to me as the "worst marcher I ever taught..." And Gene don't lie... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Priester Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 DMs were Artie Olsen 1947-49, Charlie Saar 1950-51, Bill Carrig 1953-54, Bill Rudden 1955-56, Jack Dobson 1957, Tom McDonough 1958, Hugh Mahon and Winkelman 1959, Walt Winkelman 1960-72, Richard "Butch" Anderson 1973-86, Ray "Konga" Richardson 1987- ? I would say that they all had a certain degree of charisma, but having marched under Wink and Butch and seen Konga many times, I would say that these three had charisma and then some!!! That's the info I have. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rayfallon Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 (edited) Heh, he had his moments. And not just at DCP. Maybe someone should have locked him in a room with "Stu"and see who emerges, then evict the one that made it out alive. DCP stock would surge. Edited January 2, 2014 by rayfallon 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajlisko Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 (edited) Andy, do you recall who fronted them before Wink? And was he charismatic as well? ... answered better by Ray ... :-) Edited January 2, 2014 by ajlisko 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Priester Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 The Greenwood Lake AL Post played host to the Skyliners for their spring "weekend" rehearsal each May ... it was the weekend where the drill was finalized and final cuts were made ... it was a ritualistic weekend ... a "right of passage" for rookies ... and a Saturday night "showtime" where corps members showed their "unique" talents on stage ... naturally, Friday and Saturday nights also meant venturing into town to visit the local watering holes ... Andre's was one of the favorite spots and things got quite interesting on one or more occasions ... Greenwood Lake was also the place where the famous Portrait In Brass album was recorded by Fleetwood in 1962 ... Priester can fill in the details (he was there as a kid) but, the short story is that the recording session took place after an all out brawl at Andre's the night before ... Andy "I have my own Greenwood Lake tales" Lisko Let's just say it was very interesting watching and listening. Harry Hazlewood playing solos with a lip that was swollen to twice its normal size, Al Koch playing his valve/slide bari with a HUGE bandage on his right thumb, the one you use on the valve. I think the bandage was holding his thumb together, since some biker-type was trying to chew it off at the "get-together" the night before, while Al was severely 'reprimanding' two of the biker's associates while kneeling on their chests and pummeling them with his left. And yes, this is the very same Al who instructed St Rocco's and a few others and who eventually was named to the Federal bench. He presided over the Sharpton/Brawley trial for one. With all the visible cuts and bruises I saw, I thought it was amazing how well they still played and Dick Blake was able to produce one of his finest recordings. It's a shame he didn't have a video camera for Saturday night's festivities at Andre's. Messrs. BellaRosa and Quinn were also observed getting into the fray. Bobby B. fought in the Golden Gloves Tournaments for many years prior. And Mr Quinn noticed how much more effective a fist could be while holding a cue ball in it. As an aside to that little gem, about 30 years later, I was driving home from a few days in Cooperstown and decided to stop at Andre's for a burger and a scotch during what would have been rush hour on 17 south and the Turnpike. I sat at the bar and placed my order. The bartender served a very nice Johnny Red and water and I had just taken my first sip and I was tapped on the shoulder. I turned around and it was the manager and he informed me "Pardon me sir, but you can't be in here with that jacket on you". Yes, I had my corps jacket on. I asked if I could put it in the car and come back in and he said "That will be fine, you just can't have that jacket on here". So I placed said jacket in the car and returned to my scotch and burger, finished up and hit the road home. I was honored that even after 30 years, they still remember us at Andre's. BTW, the night of the disagreement, BOTH cops showed up and escorted a few of the biker types to the local hoosegow and the rest, out of town. Not being much of a pugilist myself, not that it was a requirement, I still have to say that I cherish all the years I've been associated with the New York Skyliners! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NanciD Posted January 2, 2014 Author Share Posted January 2, 2014 This latest feature...He could shake his hips like nobody's bizness! He could have taught Elvis a thing or two. LOLDo any of you know what I'm talking about? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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