In a small town called Streator, Illinois we were floored by the likes of the Kilties, Guardsman, Royalairs, Phantom Regiment, Desplaines Vanguard, Troopers, Cavaliers, Black Nights, Madison Scouts, Ambassadors, Maples City Cadets, and many others would come there to compete for one night, as a child it was the best time ever. the thunder of the drums, color line flowing, and the horns blowing sweet music right through you, pure heaven, surely the best of times.
Hi. Just came across your post, now four years later. I agree with you about being floored by the likes of all of those great and incredibly inspiring, mostly mid-west drum corps. However, as a charter member of the Maple City Cadets ('57-'68), I must say that I am even MORE floored by the fact that you so generously and graciously include my old La Porte, Indiana corps in your list of those greats. Although we had a few pretty decent years, we were never in the same league as the others on your list. Thank you for the flattery and especially, thank you for triggering a mess of great memories. Cheers!
Really early recording of the corps. Amazing how good they were in spite of the fact they didn't have a month of "spring training" like today's groups seem to need, and most put on incomplete shows for the first month of the season This show was a month earlier than the first shows in DCI today and a complete show... Can you imagine how good they would have been had they had a month of spring training and as much practice time as the groups from today that they try to pass off as drum corps? These were real youth groups. Kids off the streets, kids that worked and not many camps to learn the show, just weekly rehearsals for those that were in town and not at college, a hand full of weekend rehearsals and maybe two or three weekend drill camps at most. One yard line in the middle of the field and valve rotary bugles. And....membership dues for the year was $100, not the $3500 to $5000 that they fleece out of the kids and their parents now to pay the overpriced designers and instructors. Our instructors were some of the best and were essentially volunteer and/or made very little for their efforts, unlike today where the top designers and instructors make a very healthy full time living off of the kids backs and out of their wallets. Their 4 month+ season started at the end of May and ran through September and early October in some cases. Not 6 weeks like DCI is now. This was REAL drum corps and I miss it terribly.
In 1969 I was drum major of the Racine Scouts and loved competing against this outstanding D&B Corps. Went on to be a high school band director in New Jersey and arranged Ken Normans ALZ for a closer. Also taught Garfield
Wow. This is very cool. I was a Kilt from '63-'69. In this vid, I am the little sabre guarding the right side of the American flag. We won three National Championships in the '60's (1964, 1968, 1969). I honestly think that the 1969 Corps was, arguably, the best Drum Corps to ever take the field. (Now THERE'S a bar argument waiting to happen!). Regardless, the 60's were the golden age of Drum Corps in the US, with a LOT of first class corps competing. That knowledge makes those Championships all the sweeter. Johnno
+Jazz Fan I was in the Kadets then, I went to that championship "Go, Go, Big Brothers!" I moved from Racine the same year I was to go to the Kilties. Also saw a competition at McCormick Place, were you in that? Don't remember the year though. Did you know Bill Shultz or Craig Swanson? They were my neighbours...
Michael, Thanks for your (and all the other Kadet's) support. My mother was one of the founding parents of the Kadets, and that's where I started. Yes I marched in the 1965 VFW Finals at McCormick Place. The Finals were supposed to be held at Soldier Field, but got rained out and moved to McCormick Place. Weird feeling, indoors. Disconcerting because of the echo coming back off the walls 1/2 beat later. Also, no grass! Strange. Unfortunately we were unable to defend our title against a very tough RoyalAire corps and the always strong Cavvie's. 'Aires first, Cavvie's second. Kilt's third.
I lived right across from Schultz's and 3 doors down from Swanson's, Craig helped me out with my soprano bugle from time to time. Were you at the McCormack place competition? I believe that was the time that Scotty Paulson forgot to bring up the horns! Just remember it was raining out, or something like that, so it was held @ McCormack Place, sounded really great in there... It wasn't a small corps competition either. It's been a long time so I don't remember very clear. BTW my sister was in the Elks @ the time also...
This was when Drum Corp had meaning. Community, connection, purpose. Today it costs a member so much MONEY to belong to a corp. I am sad. Saddened by the loss.
That's because they ARE bands...and NOT drum & bugle corps. We always knew DCI would kill drum corps, it just a bit longer than we initially thought. Now that the visual "experts" have gotten control of the activity, it's nothing more than a glorified WGI show with brass band and percussion accompaniment...
Remember this is the 50th. year of the greatest Kiltie corps in history. There are 19 members that were in all three VFW national ships (1964, 1968, and 1969). Great memories!! Jon "Wedge" Hisgen 63-69
We saw them from the stands when I was in the Sacred Heart Crusaders of Manville NJ, in the VFW Nat'l's prelims in Philadelphia 1969. They were awesome in the prelims and knew then they would win finals. We placed 41st., not even close.
Ken Norman was a masterful arranger and chart writer, he composed a superb show for the Kilties and they performed it brilliantly. I believe Ken was also a national champion French horn player, may be rest in peace.
Wow, I stumbled across this by accident! I remember when these guys put this show together. Our corps had just finished up working on our field drill in Horicon, WI. when the Kilties came in on Sunday AM. I think this was the group that bolted two bass drums together (now Multi-toms) in 1969. They changed to Mac Park mid season, but I remember the guys at the end whipping out those double and triple high C's. Thanks for the memories! Dan
Sorry to hear of Ken Normans passing 5 9 2021 ! WOW ! I knew him very well when I was with the Kenosha Kingsmen ( 63 - 70 ) KENO Great Times ! Got called up from the USNR to Active USN Dec 70 , Often my brother Bruce and I would meet Ken at the Madison Scouts show or when the DCI show was in Madison, we would also see him at the KILTS Senior show in Racine or some other shows, sadly since Bruce passed away in 2016, I have not gotten to any show. ?? I wonder what is going to happen with Kens great collection of bugles ? Bye Ken ! Ralph 5 11 2021 Go Army Retired
Those were the days of great Corps ! My brother and I played in the Kenosha, WI Kingsmen 1964 to 1970, in late 69 & 70 a few of us in the military reserves got called up, that happened often, and some junior corps lost entire section to the draft. Little did I know that I would make the Army a career, We both knew Ken Norman well in the Kingsmen
In a small town called Streator, Illinois we were floored by the likes of the Kilties, Guardsman, Royalairs, Phantom Regiment, Desplaines Vanguard, Troopers, Cavaliers, Black Nights, Madison Scouts, Ambassadors, Maples City Cadets, and many others would come there to compete for one night, as a child it was the best time ever. the thunder of the drums, color line flowing, and the horns blowing sweet music right through you, pure heaven, surely the best of times.
Hi. Just came across your post, now four years later. I agree with you about being floored by the likes of all of those great and incredibly inspiring, mostly mid-west drum corps. However, as a charter member of the Maple City Cadets ('57-'68), I must say that I am even MORE floored by the fact that you so generously and graciously include my old La Porte, Indiana corps in your list of those greats. Although we had a few pretty decent years, we were never in the same league as the others on your list. Thank you for the flattery and especially, thank you for triggering a mess of great memories. Cheers!
Really early recording of the corps. Amazing how good they were in spite of the fact they didn't have a month of "spring training" like today's groups seem to need, and most put on incomplete shows for the first month of the season This show was a month earlier than the first shows in DCI today and a complete show...
Can you imagine how good they would have been had they had a month of spring training and as much practice time as the groups from today that they try to pass off as drum corps? These were real youth groups. Kids off the streets, kids that worked and not many camps to learn the show, just weekly rehearsals for those that were in town and not at college, a hand full of weekend rehearsals and maybe two or three weekend drill camps at most. One yard line in the middle of the field and valve rotary bugles. And....membership dues for the year was $100, not the $3500 to $5000 that they fleece out of the kids and their parents now to pay the overpriced designers and instructors. Our instructors were some of the best and were essentially volunteer and/or made very little for their efforts, unlike today where the top designers and instructors make a very healthy full time living off of the kids backs and out of their wallets. Their 4 month+ season started at the end of May and ran through September and early October in some cases. Not 6 weeks like DCI is now. This was REAL drum corps and I miss it terribly.
Ditto to that the Mad Plaid were simply Fabulous in a class of their Own!
¹¹1+
In 1969 I was drum major of the Racine Scouts and loved competing against this outstanding D&B Corps. Went on to be a high school band director in New Jersey and arranged Ken Normans ALZ for a closer. Also taught Garfield
Wow. This is very cool. I was a Kilt from '63-'69. In this vid, I am the little sabre guarding the right side of the American flag. We won three National Championships in the '60's (1964, 1968, 1969). I honestly think that the 1969 Corps was, arguably, the best Drum Corps to ever take the field. (Now THERE'S a bar argument waiting to happen!). Regardless, the 60's were the golden age of Drum Corps in the US, with a LOT of first class corps competing. That knowledge makes those Championships all the sweeter.
Johnno
Jazz Fan After listening to this I have to agree this maybe the best Junior Drum Corps Routine I have ever heard !!!
+Jazz Fan I was in the Kadets then, I went to that championship "Go, Go, Big Brothers!" I moved from Racine the same year I was to go to the Kilties. Also saw a competition at McCormick Place, were you in that? Don't remember the year though. Did you know Bill Shultz or Craig Swanson? They were my neighbours...
Michael,
Thanks for your (and all the other Kadet's) support. My mother was one of the founding parents of the Kadets, and that's where I started. Yes I marched in the 1965 VFW Finals at McCormick Place. The Finals were supposed to be held at Soldier Field, but got rained out and moved to McCormick Place. Weird feeling, indoors. Disconcerting because of the echo coming back off the walls 1/2 beat later. Also, no grass! Strange. Unfortunately we were unable to defend our title against a very tough RoyalAire corps and the always strong Cavvie's. 'Aires first, Cavvie's second. Kilt's third.
Michael,
And yes I knew the Swanson's and Schultz's very well. Craig wound up in Vietnam and Bill went to West Point.
I lived right across from Schultz's and 3 doors down from Swanson's, Craig helped me out with my soprano bugle from time to time.
Were you at the McCormack place competition? I believe that was the time that Scotty Paulson forgot to bring up the horns!
Just remember it was raining out, or something like that, so it was held @ McCormack Place, sounded really great in there... It wasn't a small corps competition either. It's been a long time so I don't remember very clear. BTW my sister was in the Elks @ the time also...
This was when Drum Corp had meaning. Community, connection, purpose. Today it costs a member so much MONEY to belong to a corp. I am sad. Saddened by the loss.
Today's drum corps look (and behave) more like a half-time marching band.
That's because they ARE bands...and NOT drum & bugle corps. We always knew DCI would kill drum corps, it just a bit longer than we initially thought. Now that the visual "experts" have gotten control of the activity, it's nothing more than a glorified WGI show with brass band and percussion accompaniment...
Remember this is the 50th. year of the greatest Kiltie corps in history. There are 19 members that were in all three VFW national ships (1964, 1968, and 1969). Great memories!! Jon "Wedge" Hisgen 63-69
Spat up !!!!!!
We saw them from the stands when I was in the Sacred Heart Crusaders of Manville NJ, in the VFW Nat'l's prelims in Philadelphia 1969. They were awesome in the prelims and knew then they would win finals. We placed 41st., not even close.
What a great show! I wore out my fleetwood recording of this show.
Every year we would go to the US Open in Marion, OH and my Mother loved the Kilties. Good memories.
I always remembered Madison doing "MacArthur Park". I totally forgot that the Kilts did it, too! Thx so much for the memories!!!
DID IT FIRST!!!!!
Great tunes by Ken Norman, a friend of mine, from the Kenosha Kingsmen days ! GO ARMY (RET) NRA USA
I'm sure that Ken Norman has written a lot of music for a lot of corps in his career, but the Kilts' '68 and '69 book was his masterpiece!
Ken Norman was a masterful arranger and chart writer, he composed a superb show for the Kilties and they performed it brilliantly. I believe Ken was also a national champion French horn player, may be rest in peace.
Great days of corps ! the 60's ! GO Kenosha Kingsmen GO ARMY
Wow, I stumbled across this by accident! I remember when these guys put this show together. Our corps had just finished up working on our field drill in Horicon, WI. when the Kilties came in on Sunday AM. I think this was the group that bolted two bass drums together (now Multi-toms) in 1969. They changed to Mac Park mid season, but I remember the guys at the end whipping out those double and triple high C's. Thanks for the memories! Dan
You're thinking of 1968 when they did what you mentioned.
Sorry to hear of Ken Normans passing 5 9 2021 ! WOW ! I knew him very well when I was with the Kenosha Kingsmen ( 63 - 70 ) KENO Great Times ! Got called up from the USNR to Active USN Dec 70 , Often my brother Bruce and I would meet Ken at the Madison Scouts show or when the DCI show was in Madison, we would also see him at the KILTS Senior show in Racine or some other shows, sadly since Bruce passed away in 2016, I have not gotten to any show. ?? I wonder what is going to happen with Kens great collection of bugles ? Bye Ken ! Ralph 5 11 2021 Go Army Retired
I loved the 69 Kilties! Still have my "Mad Plaid" button and it still has the tartan cloth attached!
Those were the days of great Corps ! My brother and I played in the Kenosha, WI Kingsmen
1964 to 1970, in late 69 & 70 a few of us in the military reserves got called up, that happened often, and some junior corps lost entire section to the draft.
Little did I know that I would make the Army a career, We both knew Ken Norman well in the Kingsmen
I saw them win the National Championship in Philadelphia in 1969. Against the best in the country they made it look easy.
I was in Philadelphia that night. They tore up the competition!
AMPLIFICATION NOT REQUIRED!!!
I believe Jeff Anderson, baritone, was in this corps and joined us at AFAcademy Corps in '70(?). Met him in Kenosha at a standstill
Always enjoyed their show, despite competing against them in the Madison Scouts.
Mickelson you still here ? BEST MELLO EVER !!!
anyone have any pictures of the 1967 kilties? I was in the kilts for that one year but cannot find any pictures. Please let me know
Come join your alumni brothers and share your thought and memories...
facebook.com/RacineKiltiesJuniorDrumBugleCorps/
I was in the 71 Brownsville marching and and we played Kilties MacArther Park verbatim..
Also Auld Lang Syn.
the Picture for this recording is from later maybe 1976 or 77.
Actually it is from 1972-1974; that's my guess. If it were clearer, (and in color), I'd know for sure!
It was 74. I was in from 70-73
the best part of the show.
@@Vikingj72 So Rrite
@@fredhoppe5906 Is this "THE" Fred Hoppe?
O. MY GOD SO GOOD!!!!!!!!!
Pretty good 👍 Hoppe
Bravo! Mad Plaid!
Choo Choo A Train From Start To End!!!
DRUM ARRENGER WAS THE BEST TX AL! FRED