some old corps photos

[GrewvyG2]

Crossmen

[KeithHall]

Sure it was Merv Griffin? I remembered seeing Victor Borge on the Mike Douglas show as Philadelphia was where Mike taped his shows.

Both John2780 and DPEmerald captured the spirit of the pic.

When the Immaculate Conception Church in Revere decided to end their support for their parish drum corps, many of the members wanted to continue. George Bonfiglio was one of the managers and about a dozen members met at his home to plead their case to start a new corps. In the course of the discussions, someone asked what the name of the corps would be? Literally playing on tv at that exact moment was the Errol Flynn movie "Charge of the Light Brigade." With the valor and courage of these members watching, Errol Flynn proclaimed "the 27th Lancers are reporting for duty" and "into the valley of death rode the 600," thus, the corps' name was born.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charge_of_the_Light_Brigade

It was a serious gamble. For all intents and purposes, the corps could have been alienated by so many organizations, but it survived thanks to the ambition and heart of many great people. Contrary to popular belief, the corps true theme song is The Impossible Deam, not Danny Boy. I was fortunate to have marched with 6 of the remaining originals in 1973 - as did DPEmerald.

As the corps developed its theme from that fall of 1967, the opportunities were also there from music to uniforms and the heraldry and corps emblem on the drums.

What you are seeing in that picture, is the part of the show which feature a bugle call, who was guarded by our pith helmeted marching major. The marching majors served no other purpose than to bring honor and respect to the four British Isles - England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The picture was taken immediately before concert, "calling" the corps into a formation.

In 1972, Duffy Silk was a 4th marching major, but his primary job was to directed the concert medley. He wore a dark green Eisenhower jacket with a tam o'shanter hat, black pants and spats.

In 1973, at the Pizza Hut in Janesville, WI right after DCI finals, many members of the corps watched George Zingali stand on a table and perform his Irish jig.

In 1974, Ken "Giant" McKay was the red jacketed/pith helmeted marching major, and Jack Langois marched as the Wee MacGregor. We did not march a "Danny Boy."

In August 1975, Merv Griffin open his show featuring the 27th Lancers a few days before DCI Finals. Victor Borge emerged from the corps, pretending to be one of the drum majors.

drmr27 was the only contributor here that marched during that 1971 season.

[SBrancheau]

Blue Devils around 1976.

OUTSTANDING UNIFORM.

One of the best ever!

[Malibu]

Sure it was Merv Griffin? I remembered seeing Victor Borge on the Mike Douglas show as Philadelphia was where Mike taped his shows.

LancerFi sent these to me a long time ago;

First one is Mike Douglas with the 27th Lancers;

George Zingali as Danny Boy 1972;

[elayes]

Blue Devils around 1976.

Rifles L to R: Sue Geiger, Stacy (Stephanie) Lynde, Katie McLaughlin, JoAnne Long and Becky Stinnett.

[fleabag]

Here are the names of the two Lancers in that photo from LancerLegends reply over three years ago.

27th Drum Majors with Victor Borge and Mike Douglas

That is Billy Ronayne on the left, and Gerry Boyle on the right.

[SBrancheau]

Isn't Zingali "Wee Willie MacGregor"?

Whatever he is in that photo, MAGNIFICENT is the best description.

Edited October 17, 2008 by SBrancheau

[elayes]

That is Billy Ronayne on the left, and Gerry Boyle on the right.

Oh, I used to have such a CRUSH on Gerry Boyle!!

[84BDsop]

Sur3e looks like Victor Borge in the pith helmet.

[fleabag]

Lee, where are you in this one?

1980 Blue Devils Champions