There’s a line in the James McMurtry song “Levelland” which paints a palpable picture of a familiar slice of life:
“I can hear the marching band doing the best they can to play ‘Smoke on the Water’ and ‘Joy to the World..."
These aren't just random words in a song. You can actually hear, and see in your mind’s eye the dream-like cover tunes heavy on horns and rolling drums drifting across the night sky, taking you back to a time and place when music could still move you and tear you away from society’s inhibitions. It’s a clever use of vivid imagery to give life to an aural element which is often taken for granted, dismissed or ignored in the hectic world where most people live. However, marching bands aren’t just ambient sound, or background noise providing texture to the spotlight attraction, the football game, the parade, or the procession. They are a constant reminder of the power and significance of music when it’s experienced and embraced at the most formative, productive, and creative years of life. I'ts a testament to music's ability to resonate over time and across generations.
Here are some classic rock songs you might someday hear up close and in person at a sporting event or whispering on the wind in the distance as you go about your busy life. They are a respectable collection of cover tunes from an underappreciated and unofficial fringe genre of music known as marching band. Stop what you are doing and listen. Let these songs be more than ambient sound. Let them move you. Let them play on for all who want to be moved by the music.
“Crazy Train” performed by the Graham Kapowsin High School Band
“Pinball Wizard” performed by an unidentified Marching Band
“25 or 6 to 4” performed by the Granville, Ohio High School Marching Band
“Stairway to Heaven” performed by the Hampshire County Youth Band
“Killing in the Name"/"Bulls on Parade” performed by the George Mason University Pep Band (Doc Nix and the Green Machine)
“Paradise City” performed by the Columbia Marching Band
“House of the Rising Sun” performed by the UConn Marching Band
“Hotel California” performed by the Liberty High School Band
“Mr. Roboto” performed by the South Kitsap High School Marching Band
“Creep” performed by the Blue Coats Marching Band
"Radar Love" performed by the Baltimore Ravens Marching Band
"Black Dog"/"Kashimr" performed by the Michigan Marching Band
"Hey Jude" performed by the Michigan Marching Band
"Stand by Me" performed by the LHU Marching Band
"Oye Como Va" performed by the Salinas High School Marching Band
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