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Cruise Band Alpha On April 12, 1957, three groups were formed at the Navy School of Music. A 30 piece band was formed under the direction of WO George Mariniak to perform throughout the summer at the Jamestown Festival. Cruise Band Alpha and Cruise Band Bravo were two 17 piece bands assigned to go on board the USS Iowa and the USS Wisconsin for Midshipmen Cruises to South America and to the International Naval Review in Norfolk. Both bands were aboard the USS Canberra (the review ship) to play honors as they passed ships from 14 countries in Hampton Roads Harbor.
Iowa Band Front row, L to R: Bob Shuck (Accordian), Ron Beckwith (Drums), Chris White (Tbone), Bob Phillips (Tbone), Larry McClary (Tbone), Jerry Weakley (Trpt), Ted Gearhart (Trpt), Don Fugate (Trpt), Ron Towell (Trpt); Back row: Eli Moral (Bass), Bill Sisson (Euph./Tbone), Tom Giezentanner (T Sax), MUC George Hertzog (Leader), J. D. Christopher (A Sax), Rick Dizon (Sax/Clar), Virgil Atangan (Bari Sax/Clar), E. H. Mitchell (TSax/Clar) Below is a performance by the Navy Show Band East in Sao Paolo, Brazil, under the direction of CWO John Fluck. He spotted a little girl upon arrival at the airport, thought she was very talented, and asked her to sing Good Ship Lollipop for the performance.
The Navy Show Band began as a special unit to perform in South America in connection with SoLant operations. MUC Ralph Aurillo was the leader of the band which later became known as The Navy Show Band under the direction of MUC Frank Forgione, who was directly responsible for the creation, success, and designation of an official Navy Show Band as a special attachment to the Navy School of Music. Frank Forgione was eventually advanced to warrant officer and later retired. John Fluck became the new director. A new Show Band was formed on the West coast under CWO Mike Pesses and the original Show Band was renamed Navy Show Band East. Submissions for these pages are welcomed. Electronic photos may be emailed to the Webmaster, or ask for the snail mail address by clicking here.
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