I love to watch these older ones!! Before the String Bands got soo Broadwayish, with all the fancy sets and dancing. Now this is fun to watch!!! I love the string bands I can envision my mom on the couch with her score sheet and writing down her favorites.
My grandfather, Uncle, me, my cousins are all mummers. Downtowners 1983 for me! We won with a sweep, Eye of the Tiger was our theme! And we went down 2nd street..... those were great times, olde school mummers; the BEST!!!
I was 12 and climbed up onto the TV truck to watch this. They let me stay there the entire string band portion of the parade. Boy, those were the days when the string bands marched up Broad Street and the cameras were across from St. Agnes Hospital.
I haven't been able to see Mummers in about 25 years because I lived in Maine and couldn't get the parade on TV. I am excited for this, since I just moved back to the Philly area this year. Thanks for the posts!
Great Memories.... Great Music as always Thanks, Herbie Smith!!! Thanks for Sharing, roccomole. Don't have 1967 do you?? It was my Father's last march up Broad St @ the age of 39. Passed in April suddenly of a Heart Attack. He loved this Band!!!
Very nicely done. FYI - The marches are Semper Fidelis, El Capitan, the trio of Stars and Stripes Forever, and a nice surprise: Fairest of the Fair. Thanks for posting.
@NCLEXEXCEL These old videos came from the Mummers Museum. They have every year since 1971, except, unfortunately, 1974. I watched the 1973 tape at the museum a long time ago. I did not find Fralinger on that tape (although I may not have finished watching the tape). I am in search for videos of those two years, and if I ever find them I will contact you.
I worked at the Mummers Museum many years ago, & I"ve seen EVERY parade from 1967 on- they have 'em! They DO NOT have 1970. They did have the top ten of 1974. I don't get this- they lie about having them, but they could easily duplicate them & sell them, they need funds, correct? Why hide this great history? BTW, it is a TOTAL BLAST to see the oldies...almost unrecognizable to what is now known & expected, but still a thrill to see 'em!!!!
today I tried to tell my daughter what a mummer is, but to tell you the truth, I am not sure myself. Could someone explain how it began and about the name?
