50th Moments: The Blue Who? | Episode 5

The Blue Devils, one of the most successful and iconic drum corps in DCI history had a meteoric rise in the early 1970s that left many asking, "The Blue Who?"
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[@charliemorgan2741]

76 was a special year indeed. Playing in that snare line was a blast. The six vet snares had played together at least 3 years already and they were the reason for the line's success. I am fortunate and grateful to Rick and Steve for choosing me to be a Blue Devil.
We learned our parts a section at a time as Rick was writing the show. Once we had it all down, I wrote out the snare part. I still have that copy.

[@stj53]

Since 1976...I can't count how many chills up my spin the BD's have provided. Most Excellent.

[@earlviney5212]

I'm 63 and one constant since the beginning have been the blue devils their record speaks for itself simply the best corps in dci history.

[@mikahhhhh]

Great corps. Great legacy

[@cannondaleman1]

Proud to have been a part of the Alto line in the late 80's. What I would give to do it just one... more... time.

[@samsignorelli]

Same here....one year in Jr corps PERIOD -- let alone BD -- wasn't enough. The 84 sopranos were the greatest collections of musicians I was ever a part of.

[@loganrussell3064]

I believe one of my teachers marched with them back in the 70s. Said she had "won a few world championships back in the day" lol whether she was referring to the Blue Devils or something else idk anymore... I had asked her if she marched before the pit was a thing and she said "I'm one of the first ones that grounded the mallets, and then I'm the one that kept adding things to it." The true mother of the pit 😭

[@DV-mq5fv]

The good ol' days. Great stuff!

[@ptr250]

I was happy that my good friend and mentor Jerry Seawright, the founder of BD Drum & Bugle Corps, was finally mentioned at the end.

[@popeyesailor9571]

I had one of those North drum shells I saved for decades and had the members of the 2016 drumline and pit all sign it for my former instructor and my son presented to him at the Memorial Day final run though of the camp. It was 5 years not 6. the first year was exhibition which I saw and tried to join but was too young so my mom and Gail Shultz got together and we started the Cadet Corps in fall of 1970 for the 71 season.

[@bobbarksofficial4335]

Awesome!

[@fdblade1529]

Me in 1975 : Who won the World Open this year anyway?
My friend : The Blue Devils.
Me : Who the hell are The Blue Devils?

[@canalbandashow]

*Sempre Um grande espetáculo* 😍❤👏👏👏👏

[@kh_167]

And now with more than one 'Blue-who's, DCI just went da-ba-dee, da-ba-die...

[@NoisyLittleCampers]

Thanks for post

[@Drums-yz4ss]

I first saw the BD as a GE judge in Bellevue, Washington in 1972. The show was very “basic”, but it was obvious they had mastered the foundations necessary to become champions.

[@cowapocalypse75]

Jim was just as involved with teaching brass technique as was Wayne..if not more so.

[@tonya0407]

when Drum Corps was Drum Corps...

[@cicook7]

God..
I miss when they actually were entertaining 😪 🪦

[@DennisJohnsonDrummer]

This year's show is pretty interesting. You should check it out.

[@cicook7]

@@DennisJohnsonDrummer Yeah, I wouldn't have made the starement above without seeing it, I dont know who could 🤨 it's all been the same thing for like 8 uears now and it's just tired and no longer interesting or entertaining to me. I'm glad it speaks to what you like.

[@jam7923]

@@cicook7 I agree fully, they have a great sound and corp as usual, but the shows have always been lacking a entertainment aspect as of recent.

[@cicook7]

@@jam7923 Blue Devils has some of the best instruction in the activity and I am in no means saying what they are doing isn't complex, intelligent or well done. I just think in the grand scheme of who they are as a corps and thier identity as the Blue Devils has a storied history of combining excellence with entertainment. This is entirely my own thought but I continue to find their programing letting thier own essence of cool not shine through. Again they are doing amazing things with fantastically talented kids and brilliant staff and design... it just falls flat to how they used to make design smarts and more broadly appealing shows to the wider audience of DCI fans.
Wish them all the best of luck this season.