Welcome back my friends, to the show that never ends: The Bayonne Bridgemen. We were grateful to see you come back and are saddened to see you leave us again. Peace to you all for what you accomplished. It made me feel 20 again and really happy...
I miss those days terribly. I graduated from West Chester University (then a state college in PA) marched in the band and taught in the band camp. George Parks was the head of the drum major school and we had a fantastic DCI show on Thursday night that ended the camp. That show was always a big draw because it was traditionally the Thursday night before DIC East in Allentown. Does anyone else remember ?
I really like how they took the focus off of cleanliness and really focus on having fun. years later it’s a lot of fun for me to watch and it was probably even more fun for the performers.
Man I started tearing up at the end of this video. Must be getting soft. This was one of my favorite Corps. I only got to see them live in 1985 while I was marching Sky Ryders.
An amazing organization that changed drum corps, drum corps staffs, drum corps shows, even drum corps people forever. 1976 when they finished their show at Franklin Field in Philly and fell simultaneously on their backs on the field... drum corps as an activity changed forever. I always find it odd that commentors on RU-vid that hate the direction of the activity love the Bridgemen from back then. That was where the direction change took place. Hipness is... to paraphrase Tower of Power - the Bridgemen.
My husband, Bob-Pugsley_McCarthy marched with you in the snare line. Such a highly talented line back then. He's doing great and taught the percussion line at our son's marching band. Our son was a snare drummer as well. They brought alot of High Percussion trophy's home...the apple didn't fall far from the tree. Hope you are doing well.
If we can't bring the Bridgemen back, can we at least bring the backfield warm-up back? Those were a little peek into the personality of each corps before they started their show. And you got a sense of the power that was about to be unleashed. I didn't realize I miss them until I saw this clip.
Really nice full sound. I wonder If that soloist is playing a Bridgemen bugle from the 80's? "In the Stone" as a concert piece, just spectacular. I wish they would restart the junior corps.
YES THEY ARE TERRIBLY MISSED THE BRIDGEMAN WERE GREAT THE BANANAS THEY WERE THEY WERE HILARIOUS THEY WERE NEVER TAKING TOTALLY SERIOUSLY BUT MAN DID THEY DID THEY HAVE THE CROWD IN THE PALM OF THEIR HANDS THEY WERE AWESOME I'D LOVE TO SEE HIM COME BACK
Bridgemen and Bobby Hoffman changed Drum Corps forever. I'm glad I was there to be a part of the 1970s changes and get to compete against THE BIG BANANAS to our south in Hudson County. Long live the great memories you gave us all!
Heard one year ( when Bridgemen used to compete in the 1980's ) they played "Yeah Alabama" Wish it was in this show because I've never heard a drum cor do college stuff. Great show either way.
It figures.... when I finally get my 'real life' in order where I can go out and march drum corps again (after a 20 year 'break')The Bridgemen call it quits..... Guess I'll have to go to Hawthorne.....
These are awesome artists who are eccentric and fun-loving. They brought life to DCI since the 70's . The saddest thing about Bridgeman leaving is they were different and not apologetic about it. Unique corps is what makes DCI. If everyone were the Cadets DCI wouldn't be here.
the Bridgeman always have been and always be the heart and soul of DCI. Them and the Racine Kilts always brought down the house. Drum Corp today is better in every way compaired to back then except it has no heart and soul. Bring back the Bridgeman and show them the way it was ment to be done. the Flying Bananas in thier pimp uniforms wii always be the best.
My husband was from Bayonne and marched in the Bayonne Cadets and when he was 12 graduated to the Bayonne Bridgeman as a snare drummer. When it was time for new uniforms, he asked his sister, who worked in the garmet district of NY City, if she could get material inexpensive for new corps uniforms. The best she could find was the yellow material that became the iconic look of the Bayonne Bridgeman. They were one of a kind and had swag like no other corps!!!
i go to a school that has uniforms inspired by the bridgemen's in fact last year our school band played at Carnegie hall and just recently our jazz band got a chance to go to Colorado
Lake Braddock HS in Burke VA (Fairfax County near DC)in the 70's-80's had identical uniforms with "LB" at the same place as the Bridgemen's. We called them the "Little Bridgemen".
It's how Drum Corps should still sound. Snowflakes be dammed. Bridgemen were the bad asses of Jr. Corps in the 70s into the 80s and Skyliners were the bad asses of Sr. Corps. Great years! I loved it
