North American Air Defense Command Band
aka The NORAD Band
The NORAD Band -- 1966-1968
- The NORAD Band was organized by US Air Force Colonel Mark Azzolina in support of the North American Air Defense Command (US/Canadian early warning radar system). Though not "officailly" designated a "special band" like the Washington DC-based US Army Band, USAF Band, US Navy Band, the US Marine Band, and the US Army Field Band, and the service acadamies bands it was a "permanent" assignment.
- The NORAD Band was based at Peterson Field, the flightline for ENT Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, CO
- The Band was made up of contingents of US Army (+/- 35), US Air Force (+/- 40), US Navy (6), and Canadian Air Force (+/- 30) enlisted bandsmen.
- A NORAD Band Concert was called the "Cavalcade of Music" with a focus on "Pops" custom arrangements of show tunes and medleys (I played timpani in this band at first and then drumset)
- The Cavalcade also featured The NORAD Commanders Jazz Band (slide 8) -- really great big band -
the alumni list is a veritable "who's who" of successful musicians including,
- Bobby Harriott
- Warren Luening
- Richard Maloof
- Kenny Kotwitz
- Mike Whited
- Steve Bohannon
- Jerry DeDad
- Randy Alcroft
- Jim Trimble
- Bobby Shew
- Bill Prince
- Phil Wilson
- Clay Brandt
- Jerry Liliedahl
- Dave Wolpe
- Larry Ford
- Jim Straggari
- Dave Edwards
- and on and on...
- The NORADaires (slide 15) -- 12 piece dance band -- I played drums in this band and booked it all over the US -- I would contact Officers Club managers at Air Force Bases all over the country... they would confirm a date and then arrange for any plane that could accomodate 12 guys and their gear in some kind of comfortable fashion to come to the Springs" and fly us to the gig and back. I've been on many a C-123, C-54, C-47, and my favorite - C-130.
- Carnegie Hall, NYC (Tuesday, 10 May 1966, 8:30 PM) (slides 2-4)
- Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood, CA (Sunday, 11 Sep 1966, 8:00 PM) (slides 5-7)
- Disneyland, CA (slides 9-11)
- Expo 67 - Montreal World's Fair
- Canadian National Exposition, Toronto, Canada (Aug/Sep 1967)
- Pacific National Exposition, Vancouver, Canada (1968)
- Tour of Guatemala (slides13-14)
- The NORAD Band was quartered at Peterson Field. There was a small barracks (private rooms) across from the rehearsal hall which was across from a small 'flight surgeon' clinic and the NCO club which we were allowed to use because we were in the Band (and GREAT customers!!)
- Living with Vince Rissolo in Manitou Springs after moving out of the band barracks...
- Living at "40 Boulder" with Warren Luening, Kenny Kotwitz, Richard Maloof, and Rod Hey in the middle of downtown Colorado Springs.
- Sessions at the Manhattan Bar and Lounge (Downtown) with Kenny, Richard, Warren and lots of other NORAD guys. Usually late Sunday afternoon after the dance bands got back into town from gigs. Free booze... 'nuf said!!!!
- Sessions at the Cellar (Manitou Springs) owned by (trombonist) Urbie Green's brother, Al Green who had retired from the Air Force (USAF Major/bomber pilot) in the "Springs." He was a great jazz pianist and played at his club every night. Same deal... sessions on Sunday with NORAD Band members bassist Bill Torma, drummer John Perett and pianist George Mandala.
- First REAL interest in Rock-N-Roll... Navy Chief and arranger Jerry Liliedahl wrote a chart of the Stones's "Cain't Get No Satisfaction" for the Noradaires/Commanders... always fun to play!!
- Afternoon sessions in the Commanders rehearsal room -- playing the song "Cherokee" as fast as we could... every soloist playing a couple of choruses, then modulating up half a step... for what seemed hours!!
- Gig with famous trumpet player and big band leader Ralph Marterie (reputation for being a "bad ass") -- Commanders (less drummer Mike Whited) and me. The band was so good he forgot about the dancers and called all the jazz arrangements in his book.... playing "stump the band".
- Playing drumset with the 75 piece NORAD "Pops" Concert Band gave me the experience I needed to later play with Doc Severinsen and Burt Bacharach with symphony orchestras. Not exactly like playing with a trio or even a big band... like trying to "swing" a Mack Truck!!!
- Met (at a ski lodge on a New Years Eve gig) and married Sharon Humphrey... Sharon was from Montana and was in Colorado as a Vista Volunteer.