Purple Knights

The Knights had the distinction of having three feeder corps in 1962, named, as appropriate for Knights, the Squires, the Lancers, and the Pages.

[DCW, 4/03, p.3]
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"PROUD PURPLE PATTER
Purple Knights Drum and Bugle Corps fans (and they're plentiful in the Northern Illinois-Southern Wisconsin area) are now cheering the successful efforts to rescue the corps from its 1963-64 downhill slump. In fact, at the end of the 1964 season they stood up and applauded as the corps made an exhibition appearance at the annual Labor Day D&B contest in Rockford. The music they played that night was far from spectacular and their M&M mighty simple, ...but there they were back "on the field!"
Following Labor Day the Knights were honored to become the only unit invited to provide music for the Rockford visit of President Lyndon Johnson. Corps members also played for area appearances of ILL. Governor Otto Kerner.
Boys and girls of the corps volunteered to assist the local Muscular Dystrophy fund drive and were instrumental in the collection of over $1,000. They prepared and distributed coin collection canisters to business places throughout the city.
Since the close of the season the Purple Knights have been working hard both to build membership and train new players in preparation for the 1965 season. Most of the boys and girls are young and inexperienced, but what they lack in experience they make up for in determination and spirit.
Behind the Knights' rekindled spirit is a "go-go" Parents' Booster Club headed by Mrs. Fred Becknell. Starting out behind the financial eight ball, the Booster Club has virtually erased more than $4,000 in indebtedness in just nine months, and all current bills are paid up-to-date. Uniform replacement funds are building rapidly.
On the social activities side, the Booster Club has sponsored fun-filled get-togethers at Knights Hall which have included good food, dancing, movies and slide presentations of the Purple Knights in action. The entire rehearsal hall has been thoroughly cleaned and brightened up, and paint brushes are scheduled to begin swinging.
Sharp and talented Purple Knights girls are polishing up their all-new color guard drill for competition in the Midwest Color Guard Circuit throughout the winter. The corps hosts its own 6th Annual "Flying Flags" open color guard contest on Saturday, February 13th at the National Guard Armory in Rockford. Top names in the Drum Corps will vie for trophies. Senior color guards will enter the evening show. Prelims are set for the afternoon.
Members and staff of the Purple Knights are planning to attend the Big DCWorld "SYMPHONY IN BRASS" Show at Chicago's Civic Opera House Februrary 27th. They will travel by chartered bus,
The 1965 Purple Knight staff line-up is providing the kind of high-powered leadership that is bound to make the Knights "come alive in '65". Executive director is 35 year drum corps veteran Dan Dever, who oversees the actual teaching and directing staff. Corps Director is Bob Johnson, assisted by color guard and M&M instructors Adrian Revell, Joe Blatcher, and Dennis Stovall (Purple Knight grad) horn instructors Jim Stading (Men of Brass) and Jim Montanna (Purple Knight Soloist at 1962 Nationals); and drum instructor Bob Churchill and Jeff Dahlberg (both veteran Purple Knight members). Truman Crawford is writing the 1965 music for the corps.
Business manager for the Knights is corps founder Carroll Ford, assisted by Tony Glaski. Corps equipment is maintained and refurnished by equipment manager Harry Pozzi. Jim Brady is publicity chairman and beginner drum instructor and Charles Dahlberg serves as financial officer for the corps. In charge of all fund raising activities are co-chairmen Mrs. Dick Bullard and Mrs Fred Becknell.."

[From the Feb 1965 issue of DCW]

CORPS 4 items

Purple Knights

Purple Knights from the Bill Ives Collection

Purple Knights

PurpleKnights,Rockford,IL,Patch1-PurpleFeltCrest(Site)J_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection

Purple Knights

PurpleKnights,Rockford,IL,Pin1(BJA)J_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection

Purple Knights

PurpleKnights,Rockford,IL,Pin2-KnightOnHorse(Site)J_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection

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