Tribute to John Brazale
Nikk Pilato
very special person, drill designer John Brazale. Brazale was unique. A
tax officer in the off-season, he would dream up crazy schemes in the
summertime that would undoubtedly end with me on the end of a line hauling
my ass fifty yards in ten counts....the man was an original, and I thought
it would be nice if I posted a few of his quotes I remember from the two
years I got to march his amazing drills.
"Let's go all the way!"
"It's hot, it's humid, but I really don't give a crap."
"We need some diets here..."
"You don't have to carry her around like a sack of potatos!"
"More....more...more...Sounds kinda neat, doesn't it?"
"It sounds like an underwear commercial!"
"Sopranos, I'm going to lose my wonderful personality in about 2 seconds."
"The contras haven't figured out which football field we're on!"
"YO!!!! Watch my face!"
"Contras, are you on drugs?"
"Mrs Riebock, scrape that garbage off the field..."
"Where's whatchamyface?"
"This is NOT a Puerto Rican wedding! It's a bacchanale!"
"Hey guys...this is the new John. That other guy's outta here!"
"Try to keep your pants on today, Waldo..."
"Aaaaarrrrrgggghhhh! Baritones! You suck! Suck, suck, suck, SUCK!!!"
Oh, the memories! :) Any other pre-1993 PR'ers out there have any funny
Brazale stories to contribute?
Here's to you, John...hope you have a spot ready for me in your drill when I
kick the bucket....
Nikk Pilato
Phantom Regiment 1991-1994
Conductor 1994
Bradley Shannon
Nikk,
In 83 and 84, a lead bari from Rockford, Dave Weber,
could do an incredible imitation of John's voice.
I mean, he sounded exactly like him. We got a lot of
entertainment when he'd yell across the gym at someone,
in JB's voice, complete with his favored catch phrases
of the day.
Brad
john t. madden
Pilato) wrote:
Nikk:
I was at the banquet in Chicago when DCI honored John by admitting him to
the DCI Hall of Fame. Dan Farrell and Jim Wren were accepting on his
behalf along with Diane (his wife) and daughter. It was a great moment
and all PR members who were taught by John surely know that they were
taught by the best.
Thanks for the trip down memory lane, Nikk.
John Madden
PR 1983 & 84
Brass staff 85, 90, 91, 92, 93
ALions954
No funny stories to tell--just thought it was great that somebody thought
to mention this great man.
John B's PR is why I'm even in this activity. Went to DCI 78 on a tacky
band trip to watch the "good bands" and saw PR and my life changed
forever. He was unusual--but most creative geniuses are. I called him on
the phone (Diane answered) and I asked if a guy could be in his guard. He
almost laughed me right off the phone. That's how clueless I was at 15. I
watched his winter guard tapes of 1980 Phantom until the tape wore out in
the VCR. I wanted to affect people like that. I wanted to create exciting,
scandalous effects. Needless to say the closest I ever got was teaching
Phantom and staying with him in 1990--which was a great experience only
because of him. He respected my creativity, and I think was a little
embarassed by my "mentor" role I relegated him to.
WGI owes this man a salute, or something special. It was nice to read that
DCI at least honored the man. (WGI did do something at convention,
granted, and it was GREAT, but a very limited number of people saw it and
I wish others who respected John could have experienced it)
A great man is lost, and missed by me. (although he'd probably be teaching
a guard kicking my ass at WGI!)
Tony Florio
North Star 80
Cavies 81
Scouts 82-82
State Street 85
27th 94
Alliance WG 81-96 (director)