In 1963 I was stationed at Ft. Mead, Maryland with the USAFSS. The Black Watch was in DC during their USA tour, so a bunch of us went down to see them. This was on a Saturday. The following week I was sitting at my desk at a certain Agency when JFK's murder in Dallas was announced over the Muzak system. Jackie Kennedy asked the Black Watch if they would do her the honor of marching in the funeral parade. They replied, "The honor is ours, ma'am." True story.
fritzb43 yes sir. Although my dads band in this video is the Canadian Black Watch, their Imperial counterparts(virtually identical uniforms.except hat badges), are the Band you correctly refer to as being requested by The First Lady.
I loved the Ed Sullivan show. When these guys came onto the stage gave me goosebumps. This always happens to me when I hear the pipes. Must be my Scottish ancestry
This might be confusing for those who are unfamiliar w/ the Black Watch. There’s the original, long-standing Scottish Black Watch, currently the 3rd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland (3SCOTS), an active UK Army unit, and there’s the separate Canadian Black Watch Regiment, a reserve Canadian Army unit.
@@tomwalton5312 That was until you know who disbanded it. Our CO at the time was very pissed off and it was sad to see some of the men cry at the Trooping. From then on, I never trusted any Liberal Government.
Nothing better than this! Beats anything that's out there today in the way of modern music. Love the sound of massed bagpipes--so ancient, so stirring, so haunting--even centuries later, harking back to a time when the clans were skirled to conference or battle, in the misty glens of Scotland. Now that I'm retired, I'd really like to learn to play the pipes--even join the Black Watch, too, were such an unlikely thing possible! Really enjoyed the Sullivan opening, too, with the sponsor plugs and introductory CBS color logo, something almost everyone's forgotten.Never saw any Sullivan shows in color originally, as my family didn't own a color set until much later. I've always remembered the CBS color logo, though, when few others have. Not quite as dazzling as the NBC Peacock but appealing in its own way. Anyway, thanks for this amazing and moving clip. TV entertainment like this simply doesn't exist anymore. Totally surprised to learn the Black Watch made an appearance. Great gentlemen all. Bonnie Prince Charlie forever!!
Give what I call the "noise Celt" musical groups, rockers with one or more pipers in the mix, a listen. Dropkick Murphys are perhaps the widest known of the genre. Follies too, such as what the Canadian Battlefield Band did for their cover of 'Bad Moon Rising.' Called it the Bad Moon Rising Reel, used it as a musical bridge.
Sure it wasn't the Edinburgh military tattoo you were at? That is held at Edinburgh castle every year and has pipe bands from all over the world perform there, no doubt our Canadian black watch brothers perform there most years but i am not 100% sure about that.
Every one in the family would watch Ed Sullivan. He probably introduced more current stars and future stars of Stage, Screen, TV and music than any one person ever did before him or even after him. Does bring back really good memories.
I share in the gratitude expressed in the comments. My mother brought me to see the Black Watch when they preformed in LA in 1968 (?) I was 5. I have loved them since, and this is as close to re-experiencing that performance as I have been honored. Thank you.
Love watching this! Brings me back to my life as a brat in Oromocto. My parents knew your parents well and spoke fondly of them. My Mum was a Field from the bullpen. Jan 2023
@@tomwalton5312 hey! So nice to find you here. I went home this September and had some great visits with the Walton ladies in Stellarton and New Glasgow. Important to make these visits while we are all still here.
Thank you so much for sharing this! My Grampa was a piper with the Black Watch and was at this event! His name is John Cordner but, sadly, we lost him at the end of 2015.
My pops was there too, Hugh Macpherson, lower right hand screen, 2:54. I'll ask him if he remembers your Gramps. I think he told me that at this event the band met Jimi Hendrix across the street.
I never knew this wonderful piece of History for Our R.H.R CANADIAN BLACK WATCH , existed.. lt was long before many of us were born, but We Honour & Thank-you for Posting it !!
The most beautiful sound in the world I get a chill listening to the bag pipes ,thank you sooooo much for sharing kind regards Shirley h Darlington England 🌹😘💐👍
My Grampa was one of the pipers - John Cordner! We lost him in December 2015, so it's so nice to see this video. I wish I'd thought to try and find it before he passed!
It's very much like a big family and they do care about each other. I have a heart condition and when I travel back to be with them, they watch over me to make sure I'm Ok when they visit the Vets at St. Ann they give each vet a care package, and it doesn't matter what regiment the vet was in or element, they get a package.
I was in Australia in 1983 on a port call to Perth during a WESPAC float. There was to be a change of command, and most of our battalion participated in it. The pipers were playing “Ireland for ever”. While marching in front of the viewing stand I got chills and marched that much straighter and taller. The pipes always hit me in the gut and remind me of my long lost forefathers.
TOTALLY TERRIFIC. Ever present gallantry and honor. A never ending, proud military tradition. And a respectful Mr. Sullivan. Thanks for this vintage video.