TA Dr. Carter Biggers - History of the HMB Part 2 (Charles Righter, Fred Ebbs, Frank Piersol, & Tom Davis - 1937-1973)

Down and Off

Wide-eyed cohosts John and Tim continue to listen to Dr. Carter Biggers as he continues to discuss his doctoral dissertation on the History of the Hawkeye Marching Band. Part 2 of the interview covers the tenures of Charles Righter in the 40s, Frank Ebbs in the 50s & 60s, Frank Piersol in the late 60s, and Tom Davis in the early 70s. Folks familiar with the HMB will be delighted to learn of the beginning of so many traditions they know and love today, from the name HMB, the Iowa Fight Song, the Big Ten Band high step & pregame, to The Boom, the Golden Girl, Hey Jude, and so many more. Dr. Biggers gives us a fascinating look at the history of the Hawkeye Marching Band.
Part 1 looked at Carter's methods and how he put the thesis together, the HMB's military beginnings in 1881, their time as a student-led ensemble, then eventual organization under the first Director of University Bands, Orie Van Doren (1911-1937).
Part 2 covers the tenures of Charles Righter, Fred Ebbs, Frank Piersol, & Dr. Tom Davis (1937-1973)
Part 3 will cover Morgan Jones, David Woodley, David Henning, and Kevin Kastens (1973-2012).
If you'd like to follow along, or do some background reading, check out Carter's thesis "On Iowa! a History of The University of Iowa Hawkeye Marching Band, 1881-2012". The pdf is free to download and a delight to read.
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Music recorded by the Hawkeye Marching Band, off the 2003 album "Roll Along!" and the 2007 album "Get Ready For the Boom"