My dad was a member of Suncoast Sound in '86. He was my inspiration for joining my school's Marching Band and so far I have two state championships under my belt. I will forever be grateful for the inspiration from my dad, I love you!
The 90s were really the apex of drum corps for me. Visual designers fully understood marching motion and color guards had moved on from simpler majorette spinning to the dance/ballet routines that persist today. Brass were reaching the limits of what you could do with G bugles. Corps hadn't switched over to the BOA style of production with props, electronics, etc so the themes of each show had to come through the music, guard costumes/flags, and marching sets rather than being explicitly shown. Corps also had mostly the same uniforms each year so you had a strong identity and branding. The classic SCV aussies, Phantom Regiment in all white or all black. There is no doubt that the corps today perform at a higher level, better intonation, better brass and drum books, etc, but the electronic era just doesn't hold the same appeal for me. I'd take 96 Phantom, 99 SCV, 00 Cavaliers, 93 Cadets, or 99 Scouts any day of the week.
dont feel the same but i can see why one would think that way i hella respect your opinion dawg both sides of the coin got kickass shows with or without electronics
I largely agree. One thing I find a little strange though: Those dance/ballet routines you mention are definitely a great advancement in diversifying what is done in the performance and *should* be far more expressive. However, in a stadium much of that choreography is not really visible at height or distance. Sure, we can see it in close-ups in video recordings or if you are seated near the front and low in a stadium. But otherwise, it pretty much goes to waste. This was and is the advantage of large color visual elements such as flags, right? Perhaps the next innovation should think more about *visible* choreography using larger, colorful materials and objects visible at distance. Just a few thoughts from an art historian with a music background.
@@lucasb3462 They do not. The original VK disbanded after the 1996 season due to being heavily in debt. The name "Velvet Knights" was used for a new corps that started competing in 2007, led by alumni and associates of the original corps, but they also folded shortly thereafter, in 2012.
@DECLAN DOUGAN When Bluecoats need to use a recorded "bend" gimmick" to juice the crowd, you just lost the argument on amplification ... (Sorry, Nancy Johnson)
@DECLAN DOUGAN apologies ... but the Bluecoats’ “bend” WAS OBVIOUSLY recorded, so that still falls under the use of electronic “amplification”, even if the volume was not amplified ... the G bugles WERE improving, but the market wasn’t big enough to keep the “all-keys” down, especially with Hopkins and Yamaha pushing the issue ... another decade would have brought the G’s closer to the quality of “real” brass (sarcasm underneath “real” fully intended)
Suncoast sound ‘86, adventures in time 0:05 Cavaliers ‘92, Revolution and triumph 2:36 Star of Indiana ‘93, the music of Barber and Bartok 3:56 Phantom regiment ‘96, Defiant Heart 6:50 Star of Indiana, ‘91, Roman Images 8:30 Madison scouts ‘96, A Day in the Life of a Bullfighter 10:30 Garfield Cadets ‘93, In the Spring 12:35 Velvet Knights ‘92, Magical Mystery Tour 15:00 Santa Clara Vanguard ‘89, Phantom of the Opera 17:45 Cavaliers ‘92 (number 2), Revelation and Triumph 20:30 Blue Devil ‘92, Big, Bad, and Blue 23:25 North Star ‘78, 25:50 Star of Indiana ‘91 (number 2), Roman Images 27:30 Madison Scouts ‘88, Malagueña 29:40 Blue Devils ‘99, Rhythms… At the End of Time 32:15 Santa Clara Vanguard ‘99, Inventions for a New Millennium 34:40 Phantom Regiment ‘89, From the New World… To a New Age 37:15 Velvet Knights ‘92 (number 2), Magical Mystery Tour 39:40
Thank you! I definitely missed a lot of stuff but I tried to pack as much as I could into the video, and I was hoping this compilation was something the traditional fans and modern fans could both appreciate.
PJMPercussion I have no idea why 86 Suncoast was in there and first. Put 83 Suncoast soprano solo, or 84 Suncoast Requiem, Suncoast 88 any part. 86 was just loud and nothing special except a skilled hornline. Ever listen to 83 Suncoast “Time Out”. You should.
Pretty great list. I was there in person for most of these and man, am I glad I got to hear some of these horn lines live, back when horn lines were REALLY loud. I will never forget just how glorious Phantom Regiment's horn line was in 96. To this day STILL the best horn line I've ever heard.
I heard them in Toledo in June that year. I remember turning to my wife and saying "I really think this show has a chance this year." Even though it was a tie, I went crazy in Orlando when it came true!
Still watching this in 2024. Santa Clara Vanguard 1989, how could I forget that one! I got to see it live! It blew us all away! (My corps only placed 16th that year.)
Think the 80s horn lines weren't as loud as we remember?!? Take note that the 1988 championships were in Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, and the Scouts SHOOK that place like it was a crowd at a Chiefs game.
@Tide 1990 Agreed...I always feel that Star wasn't quite as ground-breaking as they are often given credit for...if you watch Garfield's shows through the 80's, it is readily apparent that Star just was building upon both Garfield's sound and movement style.
@@johns3106 yeah I honestly felt like 93 Cadets had just as much "groundbreaking" content as Star that year, if not more. The music packed into that show could hold up in the modern era, some serious Crown vibes going on there. I also found their drill more difficult, although Star did some to have a more modern style going on.
@@aaronreilman1472 and before that the Blue Devils changed everything, and before that the Kingsmen changed everything, and before that the Cavaliers changed everything....
No, Blue Devils changed everything in 82. Suncoast and Cadets in 84. Suncoast in 85. Star was Suncoast 88 in 1993 after taking 5 years to figure it out.
Aaron if you're still reading this--thank you from this old VK DM for making VK 92 your closing act on this video!! THAT was one of the loudest crowd reactions I'd ever heard in my life during finals. They completely shocked us with that damn shark!! LOL!!!!!!!! Thank you for including my alma mater--so to speak.
That's awesome! I wish I would've been alive to see VK live, but I'm glad we can at least appreciate them through recordings. I can only imagine how bonkers that reaction was!
Soooo, 90's greatest hits with a few nods that drum corps existed before 1990. Yep. That's the whole 20th century. A few things happened, then 1990 happened.
The 1992 Velvet Knights performance was totally Bridgmen-influenced all over it. The near-bottle dance of SCV was awesome too. Thank goodness the sprit of the Bridgemen is kept alive here!
Thank you for this! I became a fan while a high school freshman in 89, started marching myself in 91 (eventually reaching Phantom in 94), and went on to watch several college friends march from 93-98, so this captures the zenith of my drum corps fandom and involvement. So many good shows from that time and this is a fantastic compilation and mix of show segments.
I forget sometimes how incredible that Cavies 92 show is... such a superb ending. That whole show created an atmosphere hardly anyone else has matched since.
I was in that Cavies '91 show. I was proud of it and still am today. Didn't win, but still has one of the hardest endings I've seen (or marched). The beginning of the second championship era for Cavies (the '50-'60s being the first)
Don’t forget the ‘91 Phantom show. The guard and drill design were so good. I marched Glassmen in ‘91 and couldn’t watch Phantom’s and Cavvies’ shows enough.
I marched Phantom Cadets in ‘91 so am guessing shared several retreats with both of you! 😀 The Cavies show truly was one of their best (I still have fun playing along to the drum solo) and Phantom’s visual program were good but IMHO the drum book was simply was behind the times, despite a ton of talented players and good people I learned from and eventually marched with in ‘94.
Kids today would be saying, "But they didn't move, and the drum battery wasn't cramming a million notes per measure!!! So easy!" But what they don't realize is sometimes less is more and people coming to a musical show to hear fantastic music is what its about. I would do ANYTHING ... PAY ANYTHING to hear a Madison or Blue Devils horn line from the late 80s to mid 90s. Hearing these recordings gives me the chills. There is nothing like the sound of those bugles. The crappy band instruments they use today just aren't up to speed. I can not believe DCI let this happen. Imagine the sound today with the musicians we have today .. it would be incredible.
The Velvet Knights- aw man. I remember going to DCI East and the corps we talked about the most al the way home was the Velvet Knights. Did they win? No. Not even close, but DAM what a FUN SHOW! And in the end... isn't that what why we go? :) Bond theme, twirling machine guns, jaws' fin chasing people across the field, the conductors in a lifeguard stand. Life is short!
The Cavaliers piece - absolutely love the horn balance, the strength of the middle horns- creates a wonderful sound during the company front to the end
They just don't do drum corps anymore like they did in the late 80s and early 90s. There are some good shows now, to be sure, but they are good in a different framework than, say, 1988 Madison. And they wore recognizable UNIFORMS back then!
So many great performances here. But the Velvet Knights just slayed me at the end. That 1992 performance was off the charts in hilarity at the end with the land shark. But my favorite short part was the wicked witch's smile up to the crowd just before the very end. So much fun!
As great as this is, every so often I wish it could be layered with a bunch of pre-recorded voice or even better yet, some live singing!! - said no one ever.
@DECLAN DOUGAN my favorite vocal/singing show is Bluecoats 2018, since the whole premise of the show revolves around the singer and it's not just random singing or narration, it really ties in well.
I'll state right upfront that I'm classical all the way. That's what I listen to and perform. That said, there's that something, that' je ne sais quoi' (I don't know what), about DCI that has fused into my musical mind. I was first introduced to DCI in Denver in the early 80s. While we don't get that level of performance here in Arkansas, I simply can't escape what these young folks make so perfect. Bravo to all musicians.
This is a great list Aaron, well done matey. The mere fact you had that North star closer in there is just superb. I'm too young for North star :) but I tip my hat to you for not picking 'the greatest shows ever' from the 90's. In my opinion :) you may want to also include, since I was around for it, the following - look at 1979 through to 85. Check out the Jim Ott, Spirit of Atlanta horn line of 79 and the great Vanguard shows of 84 to 87. Phantom 84 is formidable, quite literally, and my first ever dci experience which made me join the activity was the utterly sublime Blue Devils of 1982. You have some great visual examples of George Zingali ( Cadets and Star of Indiana) and I was very fortunate to meet him and be briefly taught by him. Lovely selection pal....
So much greatness... Damn I miss VK. I’m so fortunate to have started seeing shows on the West Coast (San Jose St. Pacific Procession SCV’s home show) in the late 80’s. SCV BD VK and Sac in the top 12. Kingsmen were still around, Mandarins we’re killing it with 5 horns and a kazoo. Blue Devils C corps damn near taking their pacifiers out to play high C’s (ok not quite) SCV B corps and Blue Devils B beginning to make some noise. Literally and figuratively. Oh and how can I forget Star raising eyebrows with that hornline .... oh and they didn’t work out but SCV looked badass in those black capes. ❤️💚❤️💚
I think the first shows I ever saw as a kid were in '92, and went to the Canton, OH show every year after that until I myself marched ('96 Limited Edition, '97-'03 Kiwanis Kavaliers). I got to see a lot of those late 90's moments over and over on tour. Still so good.
DC Fanatics forget about Suncoast as one of the great corps of the '80s. They always put out one of the best horn lines.. Even their last Championship with a much smaller hornling and lacking solo power they killed it. Miss'm
1980 DCI was in Montreal Quebec Canada I was in Southwind, it was the corps. first year. My brother was in Spirit Of Alanta and they won the championship that year. Really cool to see all these great corps. again.
It's truly sad what happened to those poor kids from Suncoast Sound, sounds like they went through some tough times during their years!! They sounded amazing in this video, it's a shame they couldn't keep it going!!
As many DCI videos as I’ve watched I think this was the first time I noticed judges on the field. Too busy watching the marching. Wish I would’ve went to college to March.
I had the pleasure of seeing most of these shows but forgot how fabulous some were. i.e.: SCV Phantom, Cavaliers, North Star soprano soloist. and, of course, 1988 Scouts.
1982 Phantom's Spartacus was incredible. So was Madison. In fact, they both tied at DCM finals in Dekalb that tear & did a sudden death runoff. It was an incredible show. Bridgemen's drumline was legendary as well. Their 1981 show was incredible. And Santa Clara's Bottle Dance is epic.
I was there in Dekalb in 82!! That was my first major show (I watched since my corps was small and not competing in the final show). That run-off was EPIC!
1986 Suncoast is a great add. They missed being on the PBS broadcast of Finals by one spot and then passed Spirit after Finals for 5th place. Great show. One of my all-time favorites.
Imo, 1986 Suncoast is probably the most underrated hornline of all time. They'd be looked at in a whole different light had they not been overshadowed by an all time great Blue Devils line.
@@aaronreilman1472 My dad was a member of Suncoast Sound in '86. He was my inspiration for joining marching band and so far I have two FMBC state championships under my belt. I will forever be grateful for the inspiration from my dad. I love you, Dad!
This was my hay day of marching. To me, the shows were exciting to see show to show. Not that they aren't now, but I appreciated that each corps took pride in their marching identity. I feel now-a-days all the shows look and sound the same. I'll take a intricate drill set and movement over a corps dance sequence any day.
I'm in this video-multiple times-we were transitioning to 3 valves and it was becoming not drum corps. Whatever the heck Star put on the field in '93 was absolutely ridiculed and heavily disliked at the time. Who puts Bartok on a football field with plain poles?
So many corps to think about from this era that envoked new styles, moments and concepts. It was really a time of broadening the activities lexicon. Dutch Boy, Freelancers, Sky Ryders, Crossmen, Quad City Knights, L'Insolite, Kiwanis Kavaliers, Blue Knights all had really great momentum in these years as well and have some really groundbreaking ideas. This post could easily have 50 episodes. I encourage it!
I was thinking of making a top 10/15 for each decade, since after these first two compilations I have concluded that it is basically impossible to truly capture the activity in a single video. I'm thinking about sitting down and compiling some videos once finals are over.
@@aaronreilman1472 I'd love to help with this Aaron, your taste in clips spoke to me as I was walking home with groceries and the 92 Cavies drum feature played. I had totally thought it would be remiss to the closer segment you posted, was so overjoyed you included it. Those 2nd and 3rd numbers (B sides if you will) from so many were magic that needs further exposure. Also the back 6 and semifinalists, so much brilliant activity to cover. You're amazing to post this, you're giving wind to the times that changed.
From the sublime to the ridiculous!!! 😳 Literally! 🤣 I wouldn't mind seeing all of that sexy Blue Devils show... 😏 I think there may be reasons why the instructors of my Corps in the UK didn't show us that one back in the day! 🤣
There were MANY times that Phantom was jobbed before DCI surrendered and finally said "OK, OK, Ya got us!!! You are as GREAT as SCV and BD and Cavaliers."
That kinda started back in the 80's when I was with SoA. It started with certain high school bands from major cities with a high population of African Americans. At marching contests they were ridiculed and received very low scores. Flamboyant high stepping, no synchronicity and drill teams that were embarrassingly sexualized. Eventually, parts of that trend infected HS bands across the nation to varying degrees then it made it's way into DCI. Traditionalist hated it but more and more judges from these inner city areas started challenging the standard and started giving low scores to traditional bands, stating they were boring, wooden and lacked the ability to entertain. With DCI, it started with the auxiliary corps, then the percussion units and finally the brass. When I played with MB&B, they ran every tradionalist off. Their first and only year ended with disaster at every show. DCI standards had been lowered and then the field antics started. Now, running around like a bunch of drunks is acceptable. I hate the change in standards over the last 40 years but money from the stands sets the rules. Whatever sells the most tickets and corn dogs. Anyway ...
1:17. YA. FREAKING. BASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Also...I think that it just should have been the ENTIRE VK show.
I can't help it, every time I see the Cross to Cross I HAVE to rewind it multiple times! What's so amazing to me is that they've just done a 10.5 minute show and still have the energy to finish so strongly.That sound is malicious! Want another powerful, fast-paced ending, check out SCV 99 (34:39) !Whiplash drill, with POWERFUL ENSEMBLE SOUND!
"What's so amazing to me is that they've just done a 10.5 minute show and still have the energy to finish so strongly." Or any year with Cavaliers, including that one.
A few other random thoughts: (1) 1985 Phantom (Symphonie Fantastique) would be a great add; (2) Wow, what a transformation from 1985 Star to 1991 Star; (3) drum corps might be totally different if Star were still around; (4) North Star, what a great add; and (5) drum corps needs the Velvet Knights (I miss them).
Star would be interesting due to their boundary pushing, I think of their 1991 show and how it could legitimately keep up with modern DCI in it's difficulty and boundary pushing. Velvet Knights need to come back, they always showed an audience that the best show doesn't have to be top 5 (like, how can you NOT enjoy that 1992 show!?), and I feel like a lot of bottom half corps have sorta lost the whole having fun aspect of performing (kudos to Crossmen this year for defying that trend though!). Also, I had to include that North Star show, I'm not a fan of 70s DCI but that solo was so godly and I omitted the fact that they actually played Star Wars music in the same show.
Instead of compilations, have you considered doing a video that gives a basic history of the big developments and changes in DCI history (maybe with a opening section showing how it evolved out of military bands, then marching bands, etc.)? I think you'd find quite a large audience interested in this. Probably a larger audience than compilations will get.
My Century and time 76-84..I was scared you would miss Jerry Noonan and North Star. Jerry passed a few years ago. No 1980 27th Lancers? (Cliff White Contrabass solo?)
Was it 95 or 96 with Madison and that rotating triangle, Spanish type show? Chills. Pretty sure same year Cadets had the American West type show with the BEEF song lol. Great video we rewatched endlessly in theory. Pretty sure it was the DCI finals of that season. Sticks with me to this day.
"When a Man Loves a Woman" - maybe the most entertaining piece ever performed on a football field. I have to figure that every brass playing young person in the country wanted to play that piece.
One of the most exciting closers in DCI history is SCV '99. The sound was raw, powerful and the drill was whiplash! I can't help but wonder about the conditioning of the kids in that group. How, after all of the drill and playing prior, they had the wherewithal to end so strongly. It was as strong as the opener, if not stronger. I still get goosebumps, over 20 years later... Have a look and listen at 36:39 to the end of the show to see what I mean.
I was thinking the same, but hoping to see the Bayonne Bridgemen included as well. And what about Santa Clara's Bottle Dance? I thought for sure that'd be included.
@@theoriemeister Unfortunately, the Bridgemen were in SEVERE decline as the early 80's became the mid 80s ... I agree that surviving video from the 70s needs to be scoured, if ONLY to demonstrate the foundation for what came later
Cavalier
true
Cavalier
Blue Coat
Blue devil
Cadet
My dad was a member of Suncoast Sound in '86. He was my inspiration for joining my school's Marching Band and so far I have two state championships under my belt. I will forever be grateful for the inspiration from my dad, I love you!
They were one of my favorite crops, other than my own of course! :D
That’s awesome! What state?
The 90s were really the apex of drum corps for me. Visual designers fully understood marching motion and color guards had moved on from simpler majorette spinning to the dance/ballet routines that persist today. Brass were reaching the limits of what you could do with G bugles.
Corps hadn't switched over to the BOA style of production with props, electronics, etc so the themes of each show had to come through the music, guard costumes/flags, and marching sets rather than being explicitly shown. Corps also had mostly the same uniforms each year so you had a strong identity and branding. The classic SCV aussies, Phantom Regiment in all white or all black.
There is no doubt that the corps today perform at a higher level, better intonation, better brass and drum books, etc, but the electronic era just doesn't hold the same appeal for me. I'd take 96 Phantom, 99 SCV, 00 Cavaliers, 93 Cadets, or 99 Scouts any day of the week.
dont feel the same but i can see why one would think that way i hella respect your opinion dawg both sides of the coin got kickass shows with or without electronics
I largely agree.
One thing I find a little strange though:
Those dance/ballet routines you mention are definitely a great advancement in diversifying what is done in the performance and *should* be far more expressive. However, in a stadium much of that choreography is not really visible at height or distance. Sure, we can see it in close-ups in video recordings or if you are seated near the front and low in a stadium. But otherwise, it pretty much goes to waste.
This was and is the advantage of large color visual elements such as flags, right? Perhaps the next innovation should think more about *visible* choreography using larger, colorful materials and objects visible at distance.
Just a few thoughts from an art historian with a music background.
Not mention sharks! 😂
Probably not a caption before or since. JS
Sorry just by the sheer number of participants I have to go with the seventies. Also the wall of sound had to be experienced.
And when you watched finals, you breathed fresh air and saw the sky when you looked up.
I swear Big, Bad, and Blue is just one of those shows you don't show your parents when your explaining what DCI is. Lol
3:45
we’re not done
We’re not done
We’re Not done
We’re Not Done
NOW WE’RE DONE
My college prof (Jim Campbell) wrote the drum book. The actual words were Clap For Us
chickens
@@simonking5381 and demons
So glad to see the Velvet Knights included!
Do they even exist anymore?
@@lucasb3462 They do not. The original VK disbanded after the 1996 season due to being heavily in debt. The name "Velvet Knights" was used for a new corps that started competing in 2007, led by alumni and associates of the original corps, but they also folded shortly thereafter, in 2012.
I would LOVE to see VK come back and just do a straight up 90's Corps show in 2022 for the 30th anniversary of that 1992 classic.
these great moments brought to you by..... *NO AMPLIFICATION*
@DECLAN DOUGAN Played the G horns back in the day. No difference... just the nostalgic memory of power that is just as bold today as it ever was.
@DECLAN DOUGAN When Bluecoats need to use a recorded "bend" gimmick" to juice the crowd, you just lost the argument on amplification ... (Sorry, Nancy Johnson)
@DECLAN DOUGAN apologies ... but the Bluecoats’ “bend” WAS OBVIOUSLY recorded, so that still falls under the use of electronic “amplification”, even if the volume was not amplified ... the G bugles WERE improving, but the market wasn’t big enough to keep the “all-keys” down, especially with Hopkins and Yamaha pushing the issue ... another decade would have brought the G’s closer to the quality of “real” brass (sarcasm underneath “real” fully intended)
@@ThePMcDonald That's not an amplification, dude.
G bugles we’re louder. That is a fact.
1996 Regiment NEVER gets old. My favorite show of all time! It's what got me into DCI at a very young age.
96 Regiment Closer is proof that you can effectively conduct while crying. That show should have won outright.
those uniforms are incredibly bad-ass from that year
Suncoast sound ‘86, adventures in time 0:05
Cavaliers ‘92, Revolution and triumph 2:36
Star of Indiana ‘93, the music of Barber and Bartok 3:56
Phantom regiment ‘96, Defiant Heart 6:50
Star of Indiana, ‘91, Roman Images 8:30
Madison scouts ‘96, A Day in the Life of a Bullfighter 10:30
Garfield Cadets ‘93, In the Spring 12:35
Velvet Knights ‘92, Magical Mystery Tour 15:00
Santa Clara Vanguard ‘89, Phantom of the Opera 17:45
Cavaliers ‘92 (number 2), Revelation and Triumph 20:30
Blue Devil ‘92, Big, Bad, and Blue 23:25
North Star ‘78, 25:50
Star of Indiana ‘91 (number 2), Roman Images 27:30
Madison Scouts ‘88, Malagueña 29:40
Blue Devils ‘99, Rhythms… At the End of Time 32:15
Santa Clara Vanguard ‘99, Inventions for a New Millennium 34:40
Phantom Regiment ‘89, From the New World… To a New Age 37:15
Velvet Knights ‘92 (number 2), Magical Mystery Tour 39:40
The Madison Scouts you listed as 1996, was 1995.
Madison 75, BD 76, Hawthorne 75, SCV any year in the mid/late 70's, Bayonne Bridgemen.
Bridgemen Bananas were so awesome to watch.
without a doubt - THIS is one of the best collections of GREAT Drum Corps Performances - - YES there are Other GREAT Collections too - ! ! ! !
Thank you! I definitely missed a lot of stuff but I tried to pack as much as I could into the video, and I was hoping this compilation was something the traditional fans and modern fans could both appreciate.
PJMPercussion I have no idea why 86 Suncoast was in there and first. Put 83 Suncoast soprano solo, or 84 Suncoast Requiem, Suncoast 88 any part. 86 was just loud and nothing special except a skilled hornline. Ever listen to 83 Suncoast “Time Out”. You should.
Have mercy that I EVER had this kind of energy in the Corps! Where did it all go!?
Pretty great list. I was there in person for most of these and man, am I glad I got to hear some of these horn lines live, back when horn lines were REALLY loud. I will never forget just how glorious Phantom Regiment's horn line was in 96. To this day STILL the best horn line I've ever heard.
Yasss
I heard them in Toledo in June that year. I remember turning to my wife and saying "I really think this show has a chance this year." Even though it was a tie, I went crazy in Orlando when it came true!
Lol, I guess that came through as my wife, I am the husband! :)
@@bethanyhoward3196 saw them my first year marching in Kitchener, Ont that year. The whole city heard their impacts!
Still watching this in 2024. Santa Clara Vanguard 1989, how could I forget that one! I got to see it live! It blew us all away! (My corps only placed 16th that year.)
Think the 80s horn lines weren't as loud as we remember?!? Take note that the 1988 championships were in Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, and the Scouts SHOOK that place like it was a crowd at a Chiefs game.
Star of Indiana changed EVERYTHING with ‘91 and ‘93.
Christopher Brian Hayes And right before them, the Garfield Cadets changed everything.
@Tide 1990 Agreed...I always feel that Star wasn't quite as ground-breaking as they are often given credit for...if you watch Garfield's shows through the 80's, it is readily apparent that Star just was building upon both Garfield's sound and movement style.
@@johns3106 yeah I honestly felt like 93 Cadets had just as much "groundbreaking" content as Star that year, if not more. The music packed into that show could hold up in the modern era, some serious Crown vibes going on there. I also found their drill more difficult, although Star did some to have a more modern style going on.
@@aaronreilman1472 and before that the Blue Devils changed everything, and before that the Kingsmen changed everything, and before that the Cavaliers changed everything....
No, Blue Devils changed everything in 82. Suncoast and Cadets in 84. Suncoast in 85. Star was Suncoast 88 in 1993 after taking 5 years to figure it out.
Aaron if you're still reading this--thank you from this old VK DM for making VK 92 your closing act on this video!! THAT was one of the loudest crowd reactions I'd ever heard in my life during finals. They completely shocked us with that damn shark!! LOL!!!!!!!! Thank you for including my alma mater--so to speak.
That's awesome! I wish I would've been alive to see VK live, but I'm glad we can at least appreciate them through recordings. I can only imagine how bonkers that reaction was!
Soooo, 90's greatest hits with a few nods that drum corps existed before 1990. Yep. That's the whole 20th century. A few things happened, then 1990 happened.
Madison ‘88 at Arrowhead - the pinnacle of Drum & Bugle Corps keyed in G - the Hopkins-led demise followed ...
Yikes. Embrace the rain man.
I was there, that was a great Final all around but...SCV’s Phantom...but MADISON 😜.....and they sang You’ll Never Walk Alone...fan for life!
@@cicook7 Keep your eyes shut, blind man ... Hopkins was the Trump of DCI
@@ThePMcDonald hahahaha... good one. DCI, was the trump of DCI.
@@cicook7 Thank you for proving your myopia ... what is DCI except a gathering of Hopkins minions?!?
The 1992 Velvet Knights performance was totally Bridgmen-influenced all over it. The near-bottle dance of SCV was awesome too. Thank goodness the sprit of the Bridgemen is kept alive here!
Vk 1990 actually did the bottle dance for a bit
1980 Spirit of Atlanta waking up the heavens so that Jim Ott could hear them.
Sky Ryders and West Side Story
I just finished up watching that Spirit show and I regret not adding them to the video. How have only I seen this until now!?
No recording could ever capture that
@@aaronreilman1472 check out '80 Madison's last note.
It's crazy to think that most of the people you see in these clips are now around 50, give or take.
Yes we are :D 83-85 Troopers here ;)
madison scouts 1995... brought the HEAT
Thank you for this! I became a fan while a high school freshman in 89, started marching myself in 91 (eventually reaching Phantom in 94), and went on to watch several college friends march from 93-98, so this captures the zenith of my drum corps fandom and involvement. So many good shows from that time and this is a fantastic compilation and mix of show segments.
Glad to see Suncoast's 'famous 86 bass drum riff included in this! Legendary. Then to see '78 Northstar.
86 Suncoast bass line was the prototype for modern bass drum features.
I forget sometimes how incredible that Cavies 92 show is... such a superb ending. That whole show created an atmosphere hardly anyone else has matched since.
I had the privilege of seeing the 1991 Star show at DCI Finals. That show along with the Cavaliers that same year were just mind blowing!
I was in that Cavies '91 show. I was proud of it and still am today. Didn't win, but still has one of the hardest endings I've seen (or marched). The beginning of the second championship era for Cavies (the '50-'60s being the first)
Don’t forget the ‘91 Phantom show. The guard and drill design were so good. I marched Glassmen in ‘91 and couldn’t watch Phantom’s and Cavvies’ shows enough.
I marched Phantom Cadets in ‘91 so am guessing shared several retreats with both of you! 😀 The Cavies show truly was one of their best (I still have fun playing along to the drum solo) and Phantom’s visual program were good but IMHO the drum book was simply was behind the times, despite a ton of talented players and good people I learned from and eventually marched with in ‘94.
Thrilled to have seen the Blue Devils “When a Man Loves a Woman”!! Love that ensemble!
Kids today would be saying, "But they didn't move, and the drum battery wasn't cramming a million notes per measure!!! So easy!" But what they don't realize is sometimes less is more and people coming to a musical show to hear fantastic music is what its about. I would do ANYTHING ... PAY ANYTHING to hear a Madison or Blue Devils horn line from the late 80s to mid 90s. Hearing these recordings gives me the chills. There is nothing like the sound of those bugles. The crappy band instruments they use today just aren't up to speed. I can not believe DCI let this happen. Imagine the sound today with the musicians we have today .. it would be incredible.
The Velvet Knights- aw man. I remember going to DCI East and the corps we talked about the most al the way home was the Velvet Knights. Did they win? No. Not even close, but DAM what a FUN SHOW! And in the end... isn't that what why we go? :)
Bond theme, twirling machine guns, jaws' fin chasing people across the field, the conductors in a lifeguard stand. Life is short!
The Cavaliers piece - absolutely love the horn balance, the strength of the middle horns- creates a wonderful sound during the company front to the end
They just don't do drum corps anymore like they did in the late 80s and early 90s. There are some good shows now, to be sure, but they are good in a different framework than, say, 1988 Madison. And they wore recognizable UNIFORMS back then!
So many great performances here. But the Velvet Knights just slayed me at the end. That 1992 performance was off the charts in hilarity at the end with the land shark. But my favorite short part was the wicked witch's smile up to the crowd just before the very end. So much fun!
The Clown Princes of Drum Corps. Play your ass off, but don't take yourself so seriously. A shame those days are gone.
They actually did the bottle dance in 1990
cavies 92 is a beast of a show, large, loud, stunning, seamless, the best of the era great drill design, GE and masculine aggressive guard work
When the results come back negative for Corona 12:04
LMAO
Coronavirus is fake.
trap4dafu2k0fit oh fuck off dumbass
trap4dafu2k0fit dumb ass
@@samglover4923 Scv 2018 barcode on pants, foreshadowing of the mark of the beast.
As great as this is, every so often I wish it could be layered with a bunch of pre-recorded voice or even better yet, some live singing!! - said no one ever.
Or the 2007 Cadets show. I saw that one live at quarterfinals in Pasadena. I cringed.
Musically, and visually it was great. Voiceover, this I believe, was just wrong!
@@Harrierar I was a huge fan of the Cadets starting in 1982....until that show. I haven't cared for anything they've done since... :-(
boomer
@DECLAN DOUGAN my favorite vocal/singing show is Bluecoats 2018, since the whole premise of the show revolves around the singer and it's not just random singing or narration, it really ties in well.
I'll state right upfront that I'm classical all the way. That's what I listen to and perform. That said, there's that something, that' je ne sais quoi' (I don't know what), about DCI that has fused into my musical mind.
I was first introduced to DCI in Denver in the early 80s. While we don't get that level of performance here in Arkansas, I simply can't escape what these young folks make so perfect.
Bravo to all musicians.
VK's PUT ON A SHOW FOR THE AUDIENCE. What a concept.
{EVERYONE ELSE} does a company front to end
{'91 Star Of Indiana} *hold my beer*
I think this needs one more update, but still won't argue with any of this
I'm planning on coming out with a few more videos. Next one is likely going to be the top moments of the 21st century.
Awesome! But surprised to not see one clip of the 27th Lancers.
37:24--Phantom Regiment with the Dvorak "New World" finale. How surprised was I to see Mark Hourigan conducting...
Mark was a great drum major!
I watch this video almost every night, after all these years. This is what DCI means to me.
This is a great list Aaron, well done matey. The mere fact you had that North star closer in there is just superb. I'm too young for North star :) but I tip my hat to you for not picking 'the greatest shows ever' from the 90's. In my opinion :) you may want to also include, since I was around for it, the following - look at 1979 through to 85. Check out the Jim Ott, Spirit of Atlanta horn line of 79 and the great Vanguard shows of 84 to 87. Phantom 84 is formidable, quite literally, and my first ever dci experience which made me join the activity was the utterly sublime Blue Devils of 1982. You have some great visual examples of George Zingali ( Cadets and Star of Indiana) and I was very fortunate to meet him and be briefly taught by him. Lovely selection pal....
Spirit 79, One of the best horn lines EVER !!!!
Nice compilation! Listened through it all and PhR's 89 horns still sounded uniquely amazing, love the Buicks, all goodness start to finish though!
So much greatness... Damn I miss VK. I’m so fortunate to have started seeing shows on the West Coast (San Jose St. Pacific Procession SCV’s home show) in the late 80’s. SCV BD VK and Sac in the top 12. Kingsmen were still around, Mandarins we’re killing it with 5 horns and a kazoo. Blue Devils C corps damn near taking their pacifiers out to play high C’s (ok not quite) SCV B corps and Blue Devils B beginning to make some noise. Literally and figuratively. Oh and how can I forget Star raising eyebrows with that hornline .... oh and they didn’t work out but SCV looked badass in those black capes. ❤️💚❤️💚
That VK show was off the charts!! A rare medium well done!!
These are all great shows, but it is clear that you missed a lot of earlier drum corps. 84 Cadets, 87 SCV are a couple of the best shows ever.
ugh madison scouts know how to entertain a crowd, absolutely incredible
I think the first shows I ever saw as a kid were in '92, and went to the Canton, OH show every year after that until I myself marched ('96 Limited Edition, '97-'03 Kiwanis Kavaliers). I got to see a lot of those late 90's moments over and over on tour. Still so good.
DC Fanatics forget about Suncoast as one of the great corps of the '80s. They always put out one of the best horn lines.. Even their last Championship with a much smaller hornling and lacking solo power they killed it. Miss'm
1980 DCI was in Montreal Quebec Canada I was in Southwind, it was the corps. first year. My brother was in Spirit Of Alanta and they won the championship that year. Really cool to see all these great corps. again.
It's truly sad what happened to those poor kids from Suncoast Sound, sounds like they went through some tough times during their years!! They sounded amazing in this video, it's a shame they couldn't keep it going!!
As many DCI videos as I’ve watched I think this was the first time I noticed judges on the field. Too busy watching the marching. Wish I would’ve went to college to March.
1996 Phantom, 1995 Madison scouts. I was there and that's the top for me. Thanks for posting this blast from the past.
I had the pleasure of seeing most of these shows but forgot how fabulous some were. i.e.: SCV Phantom, Cavaliers, North Star soprano soloist. and, of course, 1988 Scouts.
1982 Phantom's Spartacus was incredible. So was Madison. In fact, they both tied at DCM finals in Dekalb that tear & did a sudden death runoff. It was an incredible show.
Bridgemen's drumline was legendary as well. Their 1981 show was incredible.
And Santa Clara's Bottle Dance is epic.
I was there in Dekalb in 82!! That was my first major show (I watched since my corps was small and not competing in the final show). That run-off was EPIC!
1986 Suncoast is a great add. They missed being on the PBS broadcast of Finals by one spot and then passed Spirit after Finals for 5th place. Great show. One of my all-time favorites.
Imo, 1986 Suncoast is probably the most underrated hornline of all time. They'd be looked at in a whole different light had they not been overshadowed by an all time great Blue Devils line.
Aaron Reilman I think Suncoast’s hornline actually beat BD’s hornline during the season at one point!
I was in the city of Nottingham Drum and Bugle corps uk during the 80s and absolutely loved it.
@@aaronreilman1472 My dad was a member of Suncoast Sound in '86. He was my inspiration for joining marching band and so far I have two FMBC state championships under my belt. I will forever be grateful for the inspiration from my dad. I love you, Dad!
@@MrLancealot That's awesome! Suncoast really packed a punch at their peak.
5:45 oohhh the excitement of that build up.... it is the best
This was my hay day of marching. To me, the shows were exciting to see show to show. Not that they aren't now, but I appreciated that each corps took pride in their marching identity. I feel now-a-days all the shows look and sound the same. I'll take a intricate drill set and movement over a corps dance sequence any day.
I'm in this video-multiple times-we were transitioning to 3 valves and it was becoming not drum corps. Whatever the heck Star put on the field in '93 was absolutely ridiculed and heavily disliked at the time. Who puts Bartok on a football field with plain poles?
Man, I wish Suncoast would have kept going. They were just top notch.
So many corps to think about from this era that envoked new styles, moments and concepts. It was really a time of broadening the activities lexicon.
Dutch Boy, Freelancers, Sky Ryders, Crossmen, Quad City Knights, L'Insolite, Kiwanis Kavaliers, Blue Knights all had really great momentum in these years as well and have some really groundbreaking ideas. This post could easily have 50 episodes. I encourage it!
I was thinking of making a top 10/15 for each decade, since after these first two compilations I have concluded that it is basically impossible to truly capture the activity in a single video. I'm thinking about sitting down and compiling some videos once finals are over.
@@aaronreilman1472 I'd love to help with this Aaron, your taste in clips spoke to me as I was walking home with groceries and the 92 Cavies drum feature played. I had totally thought it would be remiss to the closer segment you posted, was so overjoyed you included it. Those 2nd and 3rd numbers (B sides if you will) from so many were magic that needs further exposure. Also the back 6 and semifinalists, so much brilliant activity to cover.
You're amazing to post this, you're giving wind to the times that changed.
A fantastic, comprehensive and tasteful tribute to the flourish of modernity that led to now.
Well done Aaron.
From the sublime to the ridiculous!!! 😳 Literally! 🤣
I wouldn't mind seeing all of that sexy Blue Devils show... 😏 I think there may be reasons why the instructors of my Corps in the UK didn't show us that one back in the day! 🤣
Wish I could find a video of the Phantom Regiment performing Bohemian Rhapsody. It was so awesome to watch...with the caped leaders.
‘89 Phantom should have won
There were MANY times that Phantom was jobbed before DCI surrendered and finally said "OK, OK, Ya got us!!! You are as GREAT as SCV and BD and Cavaliers."
Back when DCI was DCI. Now it's just Dancing & Crap.
That kinda started back in the 80's when I was with SoA. It started with certain high school bands from major cities with a high population of African Americans.
At marching contests they were ridiculed and received very low scores. Flamboyant high stepping, no synchronicity and drill teams that were embarrassingly sexualized.
Eventually, parts of that trend infected HS bands across the nation to varying degrees then it made it's way into DCI.
Traditionalist hated it but more and more judges from these inner city areas started challenging the standard and started giving low scores to traditional bands, stating they were boring, wooden and lacked the ability to entertain.
With DCI, it started with the auxiliary corps, then the percussion units and finally the brass. When I played with MB&B, they ran every tradionalist off. Their first and only year ended with disaster at every show.
DCI standards had been lowered and then the field antics started. Now, running around like a bunch of drunks is acceptable.
I hate the change in standards over the last 40 years but money from the stands sets the rules. Whatever sells the most tickets and corn dogs.
Anyway ...
Thank you for putting these all together! Very much enjoyed all of them!
I was starting to think I imagined the 92 VK show. It was not a myth!
Stars cross to cross- nothing beats it!
Star of INDY ! should had stayed a Drum & Bugle Corps ! Go Mariners Go Kenosha KINGSMEN Go ARMY
It's sad I never had the chance to see them in my lifetime but at least they gave us Blast! The shows from 1989-1993 packed some serious heat.
1:17. YA. FREAKING. BASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Also...I think that it just should have been the ENTIRE VK show.
How you can say "best" without including the Santa Clara bottle dance is beyond me!
The Sopranos in PR’s New World Symphony 🤯
always loved how intentionally hard the attacks were on each note at 38:45, so deliberate its just hammered home
May have been the best Santa Clara show ever. How could you not love the fold over to the larger triangle at the end then the diagonal move.
I can't help it, every time I see the Cross to Cross I HAVE to rewind it multiple times! What's so amazing to me is that they've just done a 10.5 minute show and still have the energy to finish so strongly.That sound is malicious! Want another powerful, fast-paced ending, check out SCV 99 (34:39) !Whiplash drill, with POWERFUL ENSEMBLE SOUND!
Was great drill and that hornline, wow!
The story of how they learned that ending is just wild, have you heard it?
"What's so amazing to me is that they've just done a 10.5 minute show and still have the energy to finish so strongly." Or any year with Cavaliers, including that one.
95 Cavaliers finale will always be one of my favorites.
What a surprise...Phantom Regiment doing Shostikovitch 5th Symphony!! Great!!
I guess this could be qualified to The Best DCI moments on film of the 20th century. I recall a magical night in 1974 in Ithaca New York.
A few other random thoughts: (1) 1985 Phantom (Symphonie Fantastique) would be a great add; (2) Wow, what a transformation from 1985 Star to 1991 Star; (3) drum corps might be totally different if Star were still around; (4) North Star, what a great add; and (5) drum corps needs the Velvet Knights (I miss them).
Star would be interesting due to their boundary pushing, I think of their 1991 show and how it could legitimately keep up with modern DCI in it's difficulty and boundary pushing. Velvet Knights need to come back, they always showed an audience that the best show doesn't have to be top 5 (like, how can you NOT enjoy that 1992 show!?), and I feel like a lot of bottom half corps have sorta lost the whole having fun aspect of performing (kudos to Crossmen this year for defying that trend though!). Also, I had to include that North Star show, I'm not a fan of 70s DCI but that solo was so godly and I omitted the fact that they actually played Star Wars music in the same show.
Instead of compilations, have you considered doing a video that gives a basic history of the big developments and changes in DCI history (maybe with a opening section showing how it evolved out of military bands, then marching bands, etc.)? I think you'd find quite a large audience interested in this. Probably a larger audience than compilations will get.
Just a great compilation of of sound and movement. I show my friends this video if they've never seen Drum Corps before.
My Century and time 76-84..I was scared you would miss Jerry Noonan and North Star. Jerry passed a few years ago. No 1980 27th Lancers? (Cliff White Contrabass solo?)
Wow-that show with Arnold's Peterloo Overture in it the Cavaliers did was quite impressive....
42:01 how can you mess up the leg kick? You had one job LOL
Was it 95 or 96 with Madison and that rotating triangle, Spanish type show? Chills. Pretty sure same year Cadets had the American West type show with the BEEF song lol. Great video we rewatched endlessly in theory. Pretty sure it was the DCI finals of that season. Sticks with me to this day.
1995, rotating company front
Chills for Phantom of the Opera. Amazing show.
"When a Man Loves a Woman" - maybe the most entertaining piece ever performed on a football field. I have to figure that every brass playing young person in the country wanted to play that piece.
It’s criminal that I played bass drum in high school and am now 32, having seen this bass soli at 1:12 for the first time.
This is a time capsule level description of an element of drum corps
Anaheim Kingsmen, anyone?
One of the most exciting closers in DCI history is SCV '99. The sound was raw, powerful and the drill was whiplash! I can't help but wonder about the conditioning of the kids in that group. How, after all of the drill and playing prior, they had the wherewithal to end so strongly. It was as strong as the opener, if not stronger. I still get goosebumps, over 20 years later...
Have a look and listen at 36:39 to the end of the show to see what I mean.
When do we get this back?
LOL@ when the results came back negative for Corona. Great MS show!
If this video covers the "best" DCI moments of the 20th century it should include at least one clip from the Casper Troopers
I was thinking the same, but hoping to see the Bayonne Bridgemen included as well. And what about Santa Clara's Bottle Dance? I thought for sure that'd be included.
@@theoriemeister Unfortunately, the Bridgemen were in SEVERE decline as the early 80's became the mid 80s ... I agree that surviving video from the 70s needs to be scoured, if ONLY to demonstrate the foundation for what came later
HLD
Yes, marching timbales, where can I get some of those
Does anyone remember that one corps shows where there was a guy dressed up as a giant flower, I'm tryna find this uniform real bad
Nice list tho I think Devils 86 and Santa Clara 87 should have made it.
the last one though
Cadets weren't called Garfield Cadets by 1993, they were the Cadets of Bergen County 😉
70s Corps was my Era. KW Northstars 1977. My brother was in Seneca Optimist
Really wish those old shows were more readily available. I can't find some of those great SCV shows!
@@aaronreilman1472 I had all these shows on DVD, my brother on ontario has them at the moment. i think they are still accessable
What if the real reason these videos are being taken down is not copyright, but as a result of me exposing truths through the comments? 🤔
Then wouldn't your comments just get taken down?
Cyrus Yareff No, that would be too obvious.