1977 DCI World Championship Finals Awards Ceremony

1 Blue Devils 92.050
2 Phantom Regiment 90.300
3 Santa Clara Vanguard 89.850
4 27th Lancers 87.450
5 Madison Scouts 87.300
6 Blue Stars 84.300
7 Cavaliers 83.000
8 Freelancers 82.400
8 Seneca Optimists 82.400
10 Kilties 81.800
11 Crossmen 81.300
12 Garfield Cadets 78.150
Bridgemen 87.850

[@kimberleypalmer7678]

So proud to actually be a member of the Blue Devils during this time ❤

[@TimKGrimes]

1977 Spirit of Atlanta plays in the entire group. Carnival Overture by Antonín Dvořák. What a great memory Drum Corp is.

[@brothaNblue]

Two corps I wish were still in the game today are Kilties and 27.

[@definitelynotcainan3353]

I marched Freelancers 87-92 and I gotta admit... I always secretly hoped we would have for just one season gone back and worn that grey cadet! Love that uniform!

[@goldenpooper4326]

Wow, crowds back then were ruthless

[@rayruff7863]

what I have to about drum corps I injoyed everything that had to with drum corps, and the years I was there .

[@fireboid]

To add a little more clarity to the situation... The Bridgemen began the season with two members who were 21 years old, who would be turning 22 before the season ended, during finals week. Their show was a huge fan-favorite, and they delivered a strong prelims performance, finishing 3rd, right on the heels of Phantom Regiment and Blue Devils. I've heard tell that they also won the music caption in prelims. As for who filed the protest, knowing that the director of an affected corps has filed protests against other top competitors during his years, I would suspect him, but I'd hate to name names and start rumors. Not saying he was a bad guy; in fact, he was a great guy, but he was a serious competitor. The Bridgemen won the right to perform in finals, but with the knowledge that they were going to be disqualified, which was disheartening, and it showed in their finals performance. And for about 30 years, there was no record of the 1977 Bridgemen in DCI historical documents. But that has since has been changed, and DCI, at least, acknowledges the 1977 Bridgemen today, but as having been disqualified.

[@mariannesouza8326]

fireboid Thank you. Do you have any idea, if the rules have been changed to allow a member, who is turning 22 during the season, to complete the season? That would make sense.

[@fireboid]

Hi Mari Anne. The age limit still is, officially, "21," however, any performers who turn 22 after June 1 are eligible to complete the season. The rule has been like this for a long time, not sure how long, but possibly dating back to 1978, and most certainly due to this situation with the Bridgemen in 1977.

[@just__dave]

The “bonus year rule” passed in the mid 90’s. I want to say around 96? I was marching when it went into affect but can’t recall the exact year.

[@drumcorps0junkie]

I wish marching band international would come back to this kind of showmanship and class.

[@brothaNblue]

Stop living in the past. Appreciate the present.

[@scvanguard1]

@@brothaNblueActually I’ve been told several times by the current generation that us “boomers” with our memories, opinions and money are no longer needed or required, so that is what I have done. I’ve moved on. Best of luck in the future.

[@janetphillips2875]

Absolutely!!!!!

[@Mark-sj3xb]

You know, it’s really nice that DCI was able to procure well-known personalities such as Gene Rayburn and Curt Gowdy for the telecast, but you’d really think they’d do a little research on the activity beforehand rather than just show up an hour before. At least that’s what I seemed like.

[@americanspirit8932]

Problem is they know absolutely nothing about drone view of course they do not add to the show they distract from the show I thought the drum Majors with directors I watch the shows was there for one of them didn't care for either one of those people as co-host terrible

[@scottlangdon9403]

Thank you for posting. I can almost smell the grass on the field.

[@TheImaginaryLens]

i was at this show, was in KW Northstars, first year for the corps. My brother was on Senecas snare line. Best year for me. too bad for Bridgmen, one of my faves that year.

[@TimKGrimes]

Tempo of Carnival Overture was absolutely hilarious watching all the top-12 trip over themselves. Sorry, but it was doggone fun to watch. ;-)

[@ez8308]

so funny and awesome BD just walks up like... whatever.. we got this. we are badasses. Just like now

[@michaeloneill1964]

Funny, DCI Made the Championship Flags back then according to "The Corps That Should Win's Colors" - It Was Yellow And Black!

[@jdavis57]

Gifted!

[@fatovamingus]

this is edited. why? what a year

[@marchmaster]

I wish the commentators knew just a little more about drum corps. Just a little maybe.

[@mrbear1302]

Man BD is rude making a fuss before their name is called. Let Phantom celebrate for a few seconds!

[@Mark-sj3xb]

That’s the Blue Devils all the way. They have no class. Never have, never will.

[@brothaNblue]

@@Mark-sj3xb although recently they have been shown giving appreciation to other corps win or lose.

[@tomshea8382]

Prior to Garfield winning in 83, every corps did that.

[@19891CYGR]

​@@Mark-sj3xb who the f are you supposed to be? LMFAO at your ignorance.

[@milescumminski8077]

This must have ran late as the announcer is rushing.

[@tperk]

The DCI PBS broadcasts from that period were marathons. Four hours of live television that didn't involve sports was unheard of unless it was a holiday parade.

[@just__dave]

They just didn’t waste time back then with all the fluff we hear today between scores. I could care less which awarded is presented by which sponsor. They spend time doing photo ops with people none of us know or really have any interest in. I get that it’s necessary as sponsors pay the bills, but to those of us in the stands we just want to get to the point.

[@ikarooz]

"Isn't that beautiful?" YES! The level of information and appreciation for DCI shown by the announcers was appalling. The broadcast crew, including Gene Rayburn, kept saying it was "new". DCI had been around since 1972. When you're over 60 years old, I guess 5 years IS new.

[@michaeloneill1964]

I Think He Used the Long Microphone like on Match Game That Night!

[@janetphillips2875]

New to him, I guess. I heard some stupid comments from them.

[@Ryan-dz7mg]

What was with the protest

[@ikarooz]

Maybe it was their use of pride flag colors long before the general public appreciated it's meaning. REPLY

[@elijahlurton3570]

They had age outs in their Corps, which is against the rules

[@Ryan-dz7mg]

Elijah Lurton wtf

[@marchmaster]

The flag colors had nothing to do with it. For instance, SkyRyders symbol was a rainbow.

[@TheImaginaryLens]

Over aged members

[@kmeddow2002]

what happened to the Bridgemen was complete BS

[@earlviney5212]

No it wasn't they marched overaged kids that year clearly against the rules then. I'm surprised they let them perform in finals.

[@kmeddow2002]

earl Viney I was referring to the way they embarrassed them, they should’ve just not allowed them to preform on finals day.

[@tomshea8382]

@@kmeddow2002 The Bridgemen went to court and filed an injunction to be allowed to perform. The DCI honchos didn't want them, but the court said yes. I doubt the judges cared all that much.

[@just__dave]

You just don’t mess with the age rule. They dug their hole. They had to stand in it.

[@janetphillips2875]

The age rule was stupid, IMO! This is Drum and Bugle Corp, not middle school.