Tears in my eyes watching this. I was there, as a wide-eyed high schooler, with the rest of my band. Yes it was as amazing as some of you imagine. Several of us looked at each other afterward and said, “you know what? We need a drum corps of our own.” And Southwind was born. But this group and performance - among the other corps that night - planted the seeds. Thank you, Blue Devils, Spirit, and others.
Yup, I be old school. I was on the grass when drummers converted form straps to harnesses, black dots were being replaced by pin stripes, and most horns had one rotary valve. The "F" horn was a break-through innovation. Color guards still did, rifles and sabers were de-riggor, and a starter's pistol crack started and ended official timing.
Some gnarly freakin' tenors, dude. 4 drumset toms with bottom heads. I'd love to put something like that together today just to see how it sounds in the flesh.
@@RichardOrtizROCommunication the initial concept was to have them tuned like octobons- and played via split parts (like a ten-man bass line of sorts). When it became obvious that the concept was too far out and not pragmatic for the field, they simply pitched them more like a pair of bongos, and were featured extensively in the drum solo, an awesome “call and answer” pattern between the tenors and the snares. Also, they got major play time on the spicy Spanish number, La Suerta de Los Tontos (the songs opening statement).
89’ was the first DCI broadcast I saw. BD was first up on the tape that year. This was their opener that year. Never heard the 80’ version before. Awesome! Takes me back either way.
@Tim Dawson you’re not wrong l, Tim. By the late 80’s, gone were the shows with breaks between every song. It was all about constant energy, drill and music becoming more integral, and fluidity. Tempos increased and M&M was more like precision ballet than “marching”. Such is the contrast between them and now (early 80’s and now) that to watch old 70’s and 80’s corps is an almost jarring event. Not to be critical of 70’s and early 80’s corps, evolution is a good thing, but I personally draw the line at microphones and synthesizers. To me, that’s not drum/bugle corps. It’s exciting entertainment for sure, but it’s not drum/bugle corps.
@Tim Dawson that’s a very fair honest assessment. Can’t say I disagree at all with what you’ve said. I still get out to a show whenever life allows, and a wall of brass “blowin my face off” is still a thrill, as is a massive drum line choppin it out - while jittering about left and right!
Tears in my eyes watching this. I was there, as a wide-eyed high schooler, with the rest of my band. Yes it was as amazing as some of you imagine.
Several of us looked at each other afterward and said, “you know what? We need a drum corps of our own.” And Southwind was born.
But this group and performance - among the other corps that night - planted the seeds. Thank you, Blue Devils, Spirit, and others.
Powerful, beautiful, dazzling, seemless visual and musical exellence. State of the Art for the time.
Winning DCI was a great moment in my life. Glad to see this show is still available on line.
you marched blue devils??
Yup, I be old school. I was on the grass when drummers converted form straps to harnesses, black dots were being replaced by pin stripes, and most horns had one rotary valve. The "F" horn was a break-through innovation. Color guards still did, rifles and sabers were de-riggor, and a starter's pistol crack started and ended official timing.
10 yards of snare drums with those bongos hanging off the sides. Awesome!!
All I can say is. LARRY LARRY LARRY!!!! That guy could swing it!!!
To this day, STILL one of the most powerful, memorable off-the-lines of ALL time!
Some gnarly freakin' tenors, dude. 4 drumset toms with bottom heads. I'd love to put something like that together today just to see how it sounds in the flesh.
Never noticed that! What was up with the little toms mounted on the snares? When were they played?
@@RichardOrtizROCommunication On accents.
@@RichardOrtizROCommunication the initial concept was to have them tuned like octobons- and played via split parts (like a ten-man bass line of sorts). When it became obvious that the concept was too far out and not pragmatic for the field, they simply pitched them more like a pair of bongos, and were featured extensively in the drum solo, an awesome “call and answer” pattern between the tenors and the snares. Also, they got major play time on the spicy Spanish number, La Suerta de Los Tontos (the songs opening statement).
89’ was the first DCI broadcast I saw. BD was first up on the tape that year. This was their opener that year. Never heard the 80’ version before. Awesome! Takes me back either way.
@Tim Dawson you’re not wrong l, Tim. By the late 80’s, gone were the shows with breaks between every song. It was all about constant energy, drill and music becoming more integral, and fluidity. Tempos increased and M&M was more like precision ballet than “marching”. Such is the contrast between them and now (early 80’s and now) that to watch old 70’s and 80’s corps is an almost jarring event. Not to be critical of 70’s and early 80’s corps, evolution is a good thing, but I personally draw the line at microphones and synthesizers. To me, that’s not drum/bugle corps. It’s exciting entertainment for sure, but it’s not drum/bugle corps.
@Tim Dawson that’s a very fair honest assessment. Can’t say I disagree at all with what you’ve said. I still get out to a show whenever life allows, and a wall of brass “blowin my face off” is still a thrill, as is a massive drum line choppin it out - while jittering about left and right!
MY SCHOOL IS MARCHING TO THIS BEAUTY!!! :DDDD
Just wow.they played this and marched.fantastic.
I wonder which one of those contra players was the guy I sat next to at the 2007 finals.
Those 8 tuba players played loud and accurately.
My favourite part has to be the guys on flugel bugle with the melophones hanging off the belt...
All time favorite show!!
La Suerte De Los Tontos....
27th Lancers should have won it that year--1980 Yep 27!
Anybody catching “WEST IS BEST” on the bottom of the Cymbal line shoes?
Well, in 1980 east and south was best in percussion but I get it.
you gotta be old school ....you said "Off the Line" I hardly hear that term today, I normally hear "opener"
Booooy, that contra line put in some work. 😅❤
Try what
This is when Drum Corps was Drum Corps!!!
I still think 27 should have won.