British Army Bands in London

The video shows massed british army bands at Old Wembley Stadium in 1981, there are over fifty regimental bands and corps on parade to present a spectacular display.
Music:
The Red Cloak, 2:17 Battle Hymn of the Republic, Europe United

[@maureenmcglynn638]

One of the most beautiful sights and sounds ever. As a very very proud daughter of a Lancashire Fusilliers Bandsman who fought in WW2, my most cherished memories if my father are watching him in the band on the Parade Ground in Colchester. God bless these proud men. Nothing can come close to a British military band. Thanks dad. Love you and miss you always.xx

[@ivanlussich8146]

I am Uruguayan and i have not seen anything that comes close to these magnificent bands here in South America.

[@nigeloshea4033]

Sadly the likes of this will not be seen again

[@danbruka]

Ah bless x 🙏 ❤️ 💖

[@MarsFKA]

I'm not British, but I have nothing but admiration for this kind of sheer style. It is the product of a thousand years of history and can only be emulated by other nations.

[@zzzpip]

sends chills down my spine.

[@peterfurnissfoxton1143]

Proud to say that I was there ex Band 1 DWR the Dukes

[@infobeam1902]

Peter Furniss Foxton Legend. Proud onlooker from Belfast! Rule Britannia!

[@wearethepeople4467]

Not only good at marching & parades but very good at fighting & winning.

[@thedadda]

I think there was a very good reason for putting the Para bands in the middle and then dressing by the centre. We are good at both!

[@stanleytomlinson9530]

in 5.1 surround sound fantastic show would pay £20.00 to see something like this in real life the bass is first class great post but weres the ball

[@1276epr]

also pretty good at retaining support of Daughter Countries sharing the same values and ideals.

[@louislungbubble]

stanley tomlinson i was in the audience that night .you might like to know the ticket was three pounds...its hard to believe so little money to see so much!....marty

[@Ewen6177]

@@lejournalgaulois3109 what has America (USA) won on its own. Ah=nswer please on a post card.

[@pipebandjunkie]

This is astonishing. It is just mind boggling how a field of that many musicians can all sound so amazingly in tune and also stay synchronized across such a piece of "moving acreage". I play massed pipes and drums all the time and the huge groups I've played in never approach this kind of synchronization or tuning. Wow.

[@RobertPaterson]

A never to be seen or heard again moment - I have the VHS tape and I keep the player just for this

[@riotagus]

Bloody marvel ! It makes me proud to be British . By the way ,i'm Luso - Britanico . ( Portuguese by birth, British by choice )

[@infobeam1902]

riotagus Ah our oldest Allie. Fantastic combination!

[@atahsaia8157]

American by birth, British by choice.

[@andyduff2864]

Was there watching, and is something that has and will stay with me forever. An amazing, amazing spectacle.

[@ekdog91]

I like how they play even music that dates back to the days of the American Civil War like the Battle Hymn of the Republic.

[@infobeam1902]

Eric Kessler Know your history boy and be glorious in defeat. Ya can’t lose!

[@paladin3806]

Believe it or not but us Brits hugely respect America and its history

[@frankfraser4583]

Look at them...all in step and all in tune!!! Great.

[@Sauerland39]

fantastic !!!! love british marches !!!! greets from Germany !!!!

[@paulbellworthy6514]

I'm proud to say I was there with the Regimental Band of The Junior Leaders Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps

[@chrisg1947]

nobody in the the whole world does this precision marching bands thing better than the British Army

[@brianwatson3581]

Ottoman Mehter Band enters chat

[@willemdebest3237]

I was there. Amazing !!!!

[@jqt34c]

Hi Phil, You're right, we were there. The QDG were on the far side. What a smashing trio section the Red Cloak has. It was a privilege to be taking part. You'll never see the likes of this again.

[@r0bsven]

@BugMagnet After living in Germany for the last 4 years, I can safely assure you that you have much to be very proud about in your homeland. A stunning, beautiful country, second to none in my opinion.

[@willie9662]

There was a time when the globe, being coloured red over much of it, was run competently and efficiently by anyone's standards, by clever, thoroughly decent men, British men, right there in London's Whitehall.... from the War Office..........a time when foreign troublemakers knew their place, and the otherly hued were being charitably delivered from their benightedness into the Christian light. And this all was happening as British Army bands thundered their mighty melodies to warm loyal hearts. Willie....The Royal Canadian Regt....33 years with the Colours! ----------------------------------------------------

[@LordWellington15]

Glad to see a fellow Loyalist among the ranks, Bob... 12 years Royal Canadian Artillery!

[@willie9662]

In my years wearing HM's Canadian Infantry fig leaf, your grace, I knew no others than empire loyalists. If I cast my mind back, it's been that way since Sitting Bull appeared to tally wampum and doff his war bonnet to the Great White Mother. Can't imagine that anything has changed since. Did you like the short video above? Well if you want the whole two hour spectacle and haven't discovered it yet, plug in to: "British Army Massed Bands, Wembley 1981". At about video 3 of 9, a little ditty you may be familiar with....The Voice of the Guns ....could correct any circulation problems you might have, Me....I am still seeking an upload of a 1942 War Office training film that I first saw at the home station in Wolseley Barracks in 1959....."On Parade"....a Guards platoon sharing intimate moments on the square with a caring drill sergeant. PRO PATRIA!

[@MikeAnderson-mh2og]

willie God Save The British Empire God Save The Queen May UK rise again

[@VintageG]

@@MikeAnderson-mh2og one can only hope

[@infobeam1902]

What a legend. You’ll live in infamy big son Britannia. May she let us rise once more for the planet needs it.

[@lilstevie1056]

Tom Gregory ( Reme Staff Band) Good to see this on you tube. Brings back memories.

[@kennethgriffin509]

Only a once great empire could bung something like this on just for the fun of it.

[@tombrydson781]

Kenneth Griffin yes we are good

[@fm192429]

Tout simplement formidable. Bravo amis britanniques.

[@Winnie9212]

"The Battle Hymn of the Republic" (Glory, glory, hallelujah!)

[@huh302]

Hi , woah 12 years ago

[@katerinakempb8217]

Lovely, massed bands of military service. A beautifulnoise.

[@jpeanrkode]

I'm from East Texas where many high school bands perform in the traditional military style. I always loved watching the large bands, but this is HEAVENLY!

[@johnnymcm9763]

Best Marching Salut from Germany

[@janicesummers4933]

I love this and whether its PC or not I think the rendition of Hallelujah is brilliant as I appreciate it for the musicality.

[@mem1958]

Victor, This is from the 1981 Wembley Tattoo. I was in this show. Having spent the last 31 years in military bands I can say that this was, and to date the most incredible show I have ever done. As for the drill, we spent a full week of rehearsal. Eight to ten hours a day EVERY DAY!

[@geoffwilliams4404]

I remember doing this gig with the Junior Band of the Kings Div, as a cornet player. Its such a shame that we wont ever see bands as big or as good as this anymore due to "evolution!" We definately saw the best years!!!!!!

[@brianwroe4261]

best of british forever.from a man who served in the ,raf..Yorkshire yeomanry..royal corps of transport and finished up in the black watch in perth..

[@tombrydson781]

brian wroe you are a greedy sod then I was reme

[@emptyangel]

God, that's a whole lot of musicians. :O Again, EPIC.

[@pauladams8022]

Brings back memories, I was there in the Royal Artillery Depot Regiment band playing the side drum , the sound of the massed bands is unbelievable, what a great experience to have been part of

[@ivanlussich8146]

These soldiers-musicians perform better than many a civilian orchestra.

[@starmullen9198]

Feeling proud to be British 🇬🇧

[@tylerrenaud4853]

Damn. Im not even british but damn.

[@haworth5]

Holy f! Great!!! I love this- thanks for posting!!

[@tomdkg]

Excellent presentation and thanks for posting it.

[@silverpheonix8580]

Just incomparable. Those were the days.

[@44bluenose]

we do it so good

[@HAZRIC1910]

Amazing.

[@edmundcarrington4719]

thanks for posting this excellent video. Makes me so proud to have served in the British Army with remarkable blokes from around the world -- Fiji, Canada, Kenya, the Bahamas, Cyprus, etc. ...There is so much for this country (and the Commonwealth) to be proud of - both historically and in the present.

[@hilversum1968]

Awsome. I wished I saw this live. It must sound incredible. Thanks for this!

[@CherryBerry48]

i live in america and have respect for the place that i was born into, but nothing beats the marching bands in London UK!! i have never been there, but that is my dream bucket list to visit there and sup with the queen!

[@asiacop]

This is absolutely fantastic. I honor the musicians playing in these military bands. Great job ! Keep it up ! And many thanks.....

[@olukorede4411]

Am really in love with the band formation, rhythm, and all song harmony played

[@mickstreeter3728]

Bloody fantastic

[@davedrolett6890]

Now that's a Band!

[@brianlatham1013]

dave!

[@JAS911355]

Absolutley outstanding!!

[@CrownRoyal1945]

not only are they great at keeping their dressing, their great at keeping step... HATS OFF TO YOU BRITS! from a loving royal canadian regiment bandsman

[@carlwhitney6496]

Pride.... you will never take that from me

[@brandon-ty7lh]

This is very nice! I enjoyed this!

[@captcaveman46]

"A grand day out" Well done lads,now middle aged men. Thanks for sharing this great footage.

[@speedfreak18ish]

youve got to love been British. we have a great military, very small conpaired to 100 years ago but still our army is trained and pre-paired like not other, its the best there is.

[@generalpatton8468]

LONG LIVE THE UNITED KINGDOM

[@benfreriks8887]

Huzaren

[@benfreriks8887]

Tapptoe

[@benfreriks8887]

Roomeleven

[@davidalexander5488]

This is one thing were really good at

[@riotagus]

david alexander ......we .....

[@elbatutas]

thank you very much!

[@mem1958]

Hi Victor, No, we do not bend over backwards. Fall over, the odd time! The pelt of the cap is shaped and fitted over a cane frame. There is a leather skull cap stitched into the cap, where iyt would sit on top of your head. The curb chain, or chin strap is held in place by hooks stitched to the inside of the bearskin. If you would like to see the entire show there is an Ebay store called bitobritian. This shop has the tattoo on DVD,

[@barackobruhma7182]

Imagine being the guy to organize this, he must be living in pain

[@generalbanastretarleton6578]

It's a shame we have disbanded and amalgamated most of the British army brass bands. We have hardly any left now. Seeing some fine regiments on parade here Great to see dragoons on parade again

[@sidpheasant7585]

I suppose we can't say other than it was a bit of a crazy extravagance for us to have so many MILITARY bands in those days. Even then that was about 1% of the Army at Wembley that day. But it certainly made one heck of a show and spectacle, the like of we shall never see again. It took me years to work out the identification of all the uniforms (pre-Internet era), and by the time I could do it, it was no longer necessary...

[@amilcarfonseca1681]

General Banastre Tarleton

[@Peter-lm3ic]

General Banastre Tarleton i

[@haraldjrgenlund3185]

General Banastre Tarleton

[@Mongo1940]

Damn, Going to Wembley and seeing this is on my bucket list. Now you say they have disbanded...Good Grief!

[@1912fld]

This is still one of my top Wembley Stadium performances - who ever picked the music, picked all great marches/pieces!

[@henriletroubadour]

great spectacle !

[@Trek001]

A fair few barracks must have been empty that night

[@tomhenderson7498]

I doubt if we combined the three services now,we would still not be able to make a band as big as this beauty! Such a shame!

[@user-pv4hx8hs3f]

Band of the Royal marines is Vast, combined with the household divisions and other smaller regimental bands, I think we could get it bigger!

[@Joe-fe4xi]

3345778 617276263 Definitely mate, the Combined RM bands are huge.

[@Astralwolf23]

Brilliant...love em

[@Hal-kj2mc]

absolutely fantastic

[@maciejcieslikowski9557]

Salut from Poland

[@guillermomanuelacosta6352]

maravillosa coordinacion de semejante cantidad de musicos....solo los ingeses logran eso !!!

[@564tree]

I don't think some people realize the amount of organizing and effort they put into these types of performances.....

[@Jsledge85]

@OfficialRJLextro That is simply outstanding!

[@nevadastars]

The red cloak , magnificent

[@bluebelly07]

They also did a magnificent job playing "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." Being a Civil War reenactor, I really appreciate this. The drums are awesome!

[@mem1958]

***** I was in this show. The selection is an excerpt from a civil war suite called The Blue And The Gray. Lot of great tunes in it.

[@bluebelly07]

Well thank you guys for an awesome job done on our "Battle Hymn of the Republic," as I said before I really do appreciate it!

[@FightingForce1]

(Redcoat) :)

[@afiqramadhan2566]

Who’s here at 2019?

[@noelnoble16]

beautifull thank...

[@BVEfan]

That is a very spectacular display even though I wasn't born that year, my brother was, I was born 3 years later in 1986. I'm absolutely amazed by this just to show how many military bands took part in this display at Wembley. This shows how great and proud it is to be British this way. What a great video, I love this and I love it to bits.

[@chanchancl2987]

Grandiose

[@TheRealBoroNut]

I remember this well. It's the half time entertainment at the 1966 World Cup final at Wembley. After West Germany took a seemingly unassailable 17-0 lead into the dressing room this rousing spectacle (and an astute switch by master tactician Sir Alf Dambuster, sending misfiring centre forward Gordon Banks into goal and moving goalie Bobby Charlton into midfield), inspired England to win the second half by 4 goals to minus 15, including a hat-trick by substitute World Cup Willy. And who could forget the immortal words of the referee "They think it's all over the line" or the reply of his Russian linesman "It fucking is now!"

[@streetrace442]

Wonderful!

[@davidknocker160]

I remember this parade as I was on it Wembley pageant it was the 1980’s but there was more musicians in that band than there is now in the British Army

[@UrukEngineer]

That's the actual size of the British Army now.

[@hivaladeen4892]

No war, no need to be big, when the time comes, we can be big especially with commonwealth, for now, invest the money in our economy

[@theholmes8308]

+HIV Aladeen you clearly have know idea how long it takes to train even the most lowly infantry soldier.

[@hivaladeen4892]

Henry Holmes Thats why you have reserves who are already trained, In terms of military investment, you can gain greater man power and techonological machinery if you are willing to spend money on it, e.g more training camps, military adverts, better fighter jets, new warships

[@HOTDNews]

I know this is 2 year later but 144,000 is 'small' Any way if war breaks I don't think any country would even bother with ground troops

[@estellebarry9357]

Less personnel but better trained

[@johnbrown651]

In my unbiased opinion,they are good and maybe,if I go unbiased,some countries would not exist,without british intervention,including the usa.

[@speedyneutrino1729]

Don't you think that's the other way around in view of WW1 and WW2? Without the USA England would have been TOAST. Sorry to point out a rather inconvenient truth.

[@tylerrenaud4853]

SpeedyNeutrino172 The USA used to be a bunch of fucking colonies of england idiot.

[@truefalse207]

SpeedyNeutrino172 United Kingdom fought WW1, not solely England. 9/10 British and commonwealth forces who went to the western front came home, whereas 3/4 Scots who went to the western front never came home. Scotland suffered the second highest casualties in WW1 just under Serbia losing 13% of the adult male population and 1/6 of male university graduates.

[@johnbrown651]

look at your history,for the usa ,they are all immigrants,from every nation in the world,they try to do what every other nation cant,when it comes out roses everything is ok ,but if they do wrong there lambasted,so russia is ok doing what there doing?

[@ThePalaeontologist]

SpeedyNeutrino172 80% of the Nazi Military was killed by the Soviet Russians in WW2. Do not delude yourself, and stop talking shit about the British, out of an obvious ignorance you cling to.

[@driscollnh]

"Winnie9212," This is a remarkably splendid rendition by the British Army Bands! I really appreciate your having posted it for us all to enjoy!

[@Mark.Bishop]

wish people played more attention to this bands or corps of drums, im 13 and play the bugle my self and wish i could play in a massed band like that. it sounds bloody amazing. Cant agree more with TheMiniuzi23 this makes our country look amazing, we dont need no Beijing opening ceremony for the Olympics, get as many massed bands together as we can and show the world what we really, were a glorious country, were looked down upon by many a country, this is our time to shine.

[@chuckberry5355]

When the British army was at its best, before the days of 4" 2 guardsmen and political correctness.

[@thomasholland2384]

chuck Berry Some one should take over the BBC for a day and just play untold amounts of British epicness that they hide from the majority.

[@thomasholland2384]

chuck Berry :D EastEnders is just proof our Empire is dead and gone. I am from the East End and I am probably the last White English Cockney here.

[@chuckberry5355]

Tommy England probably best to get out of there, but in the same breath why should you? That's where your roots are !

[@chuckberry5355]

Olly DaMan Unbelievably I seem to be one of those folks stuck in a time warp. Freedom of speech should be what it says it is, which sadly it isn't. As for the trans type people, I have no issues with them, infact if I was in charge I'd give them a district of their own, a town maybe? Brighton perhaps? I feel sorry for Tommy England here, it must be devastating seeing so much change in such a short time, although I understand there are people who actually believe this is a good thing!! These folks obviously don't have children so are not to worried about the future, do trans people have children? I can't imagine that, but sadly, I'm trapped in a time warp!!

[@chuckberry5355]

Olly DaMan Couldn't of said it better myself! It's not racist want a homeland with limited immigrants. I think everyone knows how out of control it is, but are terrified of being branded racist if they talk about this! You've hit the nail on the head and kept your composure, I couldn't do that as well! Personally, I think robust nationalism is all we have left, but who am I to say! Sensible words mate.

[@overcorpse]

Just reminded me what a shit hole Wembley stadium was.

[@danielhunter34]

At least we could fill it. We can’t even do that anymore before the virus came along

[@BB1951]

This is so awesome. I can only imagine what that sounds like in person.

[@vnktravi]

This is one big gathering of musicians Amazing....

[@sirponsonbywobblebottom3051]

Come on Theresa May -- do it again! They don't like it up 'em do the Remainiacs!

[@thomasholland2384]

More British Muslims fight for ISIS then they do the British Army, this makes me fucking angry. Oh and when are we going to ban the burka ffs. So happy we voted leave! Time to seriously start taking back control.

[@cyodylolgaming]

Thomas Holland can’t wait to leave the eu to XD

[@ByronClips]

Uh, when the British Empire was still alive. Now let's make way for the successors ... a bunch of muslim fascists.

[@kakompo]

wow. so many of them. Such excellent execution too

[@NapoliX]

this video is awesome love the tunes

[@timrlewis]

OMG - I wasin that band - it was such fun rehersing at Wembley Stadium that week !

[@ViperOfLight]

Great one!! Greeting from Thailand. :)

[@jimmycamilleri3746]

brilliant thanks and God bless

[@leomodell]

Steht an erster Stelle bei meinen Favoriten. Tolle Musik und Leistung !!

[@vieira56]

OHHH boy I never saw nothing so BIG. Thank you

[@ParedesJaimeUSN1]

amazing i love this..

[@philbuglass4857]

The year was not 1975. I am out there somewhere, and we only played Wembley one time, around 78 or 79. Thanks for posting, though - a real blast from the past!

[@yukonnahanni]

coming back, here again, as , when I 1st JUST HEARD IT , BEFORE LOOKING AT THE VIDEO , THOUGHT , I,WAS LISTENING , TO AN AMERICAN SCHOOL BAND , AS THEY ARE SOMEOF THE WORLDS FINEST SCHOOL BANDS , BUT HERE WE ARE !!!`~~~ Bravo !!! now we know where they get it from !!! bravo to all !!!!

[@adamrules01]

Theres fucking tea and crumpets coming out of my ears

[@mem1958]

NJ, The Battle Hymn of the Republic used in the show is from a civil war suite called The Blue and The Grey. I kow this to be fact as I was in the cast of that show. I am with the Band of the Royal Regiment of Canada. The piece is an entertaining selection of civil war era tunes. Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for your kind comments.

[@RiDankulous]

The British military has excellent ceremonial uniforms.

[@netmonkey77]

Battle Hymn of the Republic! In high school, I was in the marching band and we played that whenever we were in a parade. It was a popular song during the American Civil War up here in the North.