Purdue News

October 20, 1998 Purdue Bands salute 80 years with the Indy 500 WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Purdue Bands has something "racy" planned for Saturday's (10/24) homecoming football game halftime entertainment -- a salute to its 80-year relationship with the Indianapolis 500 Race. The "All American" Marching Band first played at the Indy 500 in 1919, and Purdue has been the host band for the race ever since. "This has been an extremely important relationship for Purdue Bands," said David Leppla, director of the marching band. "We've enjoyed being part of the greatest spectacle in racing for the last 80 years and hope it continues for another 80." Kickoff for the Purdue-Illinois game is 1 p.m. Halftime entertainment will involve a historical look at the Indianapolis 500 Race from the band's perspective. The Indy 500 also provided some historical video footage of the race, so for the first time, video displayed on the JumboTron screen next to the scoreboard will follow along with the band's performance. "Purdue Bands received a lot of help from the Indy 500 organization," Leppla said. "Along with the historical video, 500 officials are sending two pace cars up to West Lafayette. One is a very early pace car, and the other is the 1998 Chevrolet Corvette pace car from last year's race. Both cars will be displayed in a tent before the game, then used as part of the halftime show." The "All-American" Marching Band will open its halftime show by entering the field to the tune of "See the USA in Your Chevrolet." The band's huge bass drum first appeared at the Indy 500 during the Roaring '20s, and it will be used for the band's next number, "The Charleston." The band's dance line, the Goldusters, will perform in flapper costumes. A special band formation accompanies the next number, which remembers the War Years with the Glenn Miller tune "Moonlight Serenade." Then it's on to the Post War Years and Dick Clark's American Bandstand theme song, "Bandstand Boogie," accompanied by a special routine performed by the twirling line. Finally, the band brings the audience into the current era with a recent pop chart hit "The Impression I Get" accompanied by a special routine performed by the Flag Corps. Purdue Bands will close the show with a balloon release and a re-enactment of the Indianapolis 500 opening ceremony. Musician and singer Gray Pigg of Nashville, Tenn., will sing "Back Home Again in Indiana." Pigg frequently is featured on the Nashville Network's Prime Time Country show, and he has sung backup vocals for Vanessa Williams and Amy Grant. Indy 500 Executive Vice President Fred Nation will be the official representative for the track, standing in for president Tony George, who is overseas. The "All-American" Marching Band also will present a pregame concert at 11:30 a.m. at Slayter Center of Performing Arts, and a postgame concert at the Engineering Mall Fountain. Source: David Leppla, (765) 494-0770; e-mail: dlepp@omni.cc.purdue.edu Writer: Jeanine S. Smith, (765) 496-3133; e-mail: jeanine_smith@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page