The BIG sound of the 1978 Bridgemen

[@tperk]

1978 was the best Bridgemen show. Remarkable how much of an impact they had in such a brief time.

[@keith9482]

As a cadet of early 80’s ,I always thought Bridgemen were just so cool! In the stone was incredible!!!

[@raymondfallon7429]

@@keith9482 I agree that In the Stone was the greatest Bridgemen piece ever. For me it's 2) Spanish Dreams (78) 3) Land of Make Believe 4) Pagliacci. 5) **sentimental choice To the Last Whale. Ohhh and I loved Boogie Down too. Too many to choose.

[@brandonmathis1892]

Sheeeesh Bridgemen had the secret sauce

[@danielmcconnell5902]

No one did it like them

[@masterbulgokov]

The slick, beautiful, polished corps of today stand on the shoulders of the corps like the Bridgemen.

[@raymondfallon7429]

this is the point I'm always (trying to) make with people who say they love the Bridgemen and hate recent DCI corps. First props, dancing, themed shows, costumes (after 10+ years of military uniforms). But you read it constantly... why can't they be more like the Bridgemen? Hey folks... they are.

[@mrl3129]

Well.... Theme type shows were not started by the Bridge men we just excelarated it's evolution. After spending years in the Knickerbockers and then the Polish falcon cadets and eventually the Bayonne Bridgemen I enjoyed being part of the evolutionary process. I'm not a huge fan of the electronic enhancing so much of the brass but at the same time I understand. These young adults today are amazing and the performances they give out nothing short of spectacular.

[@raymondfallon7429]

@@mrl3129 my exact feelings. I really don't need the electronics. There are 16 contras on the field but we double the bass on synth. The mid and high range as well are covered up be synth sound. I'd love to hear one of these great new corps kick it, say, 90s style... no electronics - just lau it out there.

[@americanspirit8932]

This is what a real drum and bugle Corps looks like and sounds like, and this is why so many people will attend competitions throughout the country.

[@MisterAsshole2U]

I marched in 1993, and I can say that the difference between corps of the 90s and corps of today is like the difference between throwing a bullet and shooting a bullet. Corps of the 70s aren't even the same activity as today. Of course, not everything is better. I could do without all the electronics and synthesizers, and I wish the battery would stop dancing around like they're trying to shake a turd out of their pants leg. But everything about corps from the 70s is just worse. Curious George must be wondering where the man in the yellow hat went. Apparently, he went to Vegas and got a scarf for his new hat.

[@octaveman]

I loved these guys. Hornline was so good.

[@williamphillips6247]

If we only had the technology for recording back then that we do now...

[@calolson9572]

The Bridgemen were one of my favorites!! Amazing corps!!

[@SpeedyTubaGuy]

Imagine sticking field judges used to this type of show into a modern production

[@americanspirit8932]

It's a drum corpse today would put old school drum and bugle Corps show on the competition field the crowds would go crazy, and maybe some of the current members in the activity would demand a show like the Bridgeman and other drunk course of that era, the crowds would come back in droves to see Drum Corps activity once again I apologize but voice recognition I am visually impaired and I can't catch the errors sorry

[@raymondfallon7429]

I think you're onto something: Ticks were eliminated in 1984. In a modern system I think that 78 Bayonne might have been top 3 rather than 5th. (more credit for showmanship and crowd appeal on modern sheets).

[@jamardavis2744]

Brilliant!!!

[@mrl3129]

Imagine this. Lead Soprano players who didn't read music and had no formal brass training. That is just not happening at all in today's drum corps. 😎 It was a great time...

[@Mediocre_Music]

Sometimes you play better when you only know how to feel the music, rather than understand it 😎

[@raymondfallon7429]

@@Mediocre_Music as one of the 2 brass instructors in 78 I think I can tell you that these kids understood the music. Listen to "Spanish Dream" for instance.

[@Mediocre_Music]

@@raymondfallon7429 That’s awesome! I speak mostly for myself lol. I’m sure they understood it through and through!

[@joemills346]

Great arrangement of Ritual Fire Dance! The only other one I can think of is from the Anaheim Kingsmen in 1972

[@raymondfallon7429]

No one arranged better than Larry Kerchner.

[@DJGumby]

Someone: “We need more hips” Drum Major: “Say less…😎”

[@janetphillips2875]

Was this Drum and Bugle Corp championship at Legion Field in Birmingham, Al? If so, I was there! 14 yrs old. We loved the Bridgemen, I had a yellow Bridgemen tshirt, and wore it until it was threadbare. I always wanted a hat like theirs...Im 58, and still dont have one😂. I still have my trumpet, though from high school band! Everyone used prism tape on their rifles. You rarely see rifles today, and high school bands are very small. Youre lucky to see 20 members, unless its a very large school. Kids are too lazy nowadays, and pass out in the sun.

[@johnflorio3576]

This was in Denver in 1978.

[@elliebean368]

The Bridgemen, aka The Raincoats

[@TheStickCollector]

Neat

[@guitarmansegovia]

Brass bugles…God bless the Bananas!!

[@woodsman335]

I think aliens must be trying to tap into the feed

[@ryant8424]

Bridgemen - Darth Vader, VK - Luke Skywalker. Hold my beer!

[@raymondfallon7429]

Loved VK, but show me the VK horn line that played like this or the drum line that played like Bayonne's. Maybe that's where the "hold my beer" came in?