Black Watch White House 1963

[Brian Rose]

I found the drummers interesting. The snare drummers used a style I associate more with the Royal Marines than Army units. Perhaps of 50 years, the army has changed. It could also be a "parade" style rather than a "marching " style. I have witnessed a few Highland regiment performances when they toured Michigan. Also lots of other You Tube videos and I don't remember that as an Army Style.
I'm only a casual observer of Highland dancing. My impression is that it is very style bound with strict form requirements i.e. that's the way it's done and has been done for years. I wouldn't expect much variation from current performances.
One also wonders under the current state ( past 10 years) of Presidential security, would edged weapons be allowed that close to POTUS? Performance or not.

[OC Richard]

I have in front of me the programme for the Black Watch's 1963 North American tour.

Early in the tour, on 13 November, they performed for an appreciative President Kennedy.

The tour was interrupted when the President was assassinated and the Kennedy family asked The Black Watch to play at his funeral, on 25 November.

The 1989 programme of the Black Watch North American tour states:

"In 1963 the Regimental Band, Pipes and Drums was honoured by being requested to play at The White House for President John F Kennedy. A month later they were again called to The White House for a very different occasion: the Kennedy family requested the pipers of The Black Watch to play at the funeral of the fallen President (making the Black Watch) the only British regiment ever requested to play at the funeral of an American President."

Here at 22:42 the pipers of The Black Watch can be seen and heard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KJQkn6zUvM

(The military band in scarlet tunics seen at 18:05 is The President's Own, of the US Marine Corps.)

There is a tune:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jtY1n_Y-QE

(The tour programme doesn't list the tour itinerary and dates, as they usually do, so I can't be sure that the tour was interrupted for the funeral. But that is the story usually told.)

[neloon]

I'm only a casual observer of Highland dancing. My impression is that it is very style bound with strict form requirements i.e. that's the way it's done and has been done for years. I wouldn't expect much variation from current performances.

I suspect the SOBHD would not be happy with some aspects of the dancing. But what do they know?

Alan

[plaid preacher]

I have seen this recording before. It is a fine performance.

I also believe there is a recording that was done during this tour. I have an LP of the Black Watch released in 1964, that I believe was done while in the US.

[OC Richard]

I also believe there is a recording that was done during this tour. I have an LP of the Black Watch released in 1964, that I believe was done while in the US.

The tour albums are generally recorded and manufactured prior to the tour, and brought along on the tour to sell at each venue.

I have the programme of the Black Watch 1963 North American tour and it contains an advert for the tour album, suggesting it was already to hand for sale. (It was available in Mono or Stereo!)

The album cover photo is the same as the programme cover photo.

Here it is! It's listed as a 1964 release but it was evidently being sold in 1963.

https://www.discogs.com/The-Black-Wa...elease/6963670

[Famous Willie]

It is a Great Video from the Archives. Thank you Alan for posting it.. Sad to think that in 9 days time, Jack Kennedy would be Assassinated in Dallas.. I was 3 years old at the time, and I can still remember watching parts of his Funeral on TV..

[OC Richard]

About the video from 13 November, one thing that jumps out is how large the Pipes & Drums are.

Military pipe bands did vary, and usually were rather larger than the original establishment of 6 pipers, generally around 14 pipers.

But I think there are 20 or 21 pipers there! That's the "enormous" size of our current Grade One civilian pipe bands that so many people are complaining about.

The Pipe Major was James Anderson, a very large man, who I'm told was gifted with an excellent musical ear, being able to immediately play on the pipes any melody he heard.

[Tim Little]

The tour albums are generally recorded and manufactured prior to the tour, and brought along on the tour to sell at each venue.

I have the programme of the Black Watch 1963 North American tour and it contains an advert for the tour album, suggesting it was already to hand for sale. (It was available in Mono or Stereo!)

The album cover photo is the same as the programme cover photo.

Here it is! It's listed as a 1964 release but it was evidently being sold in 1963.

https://www.discogs.com/The-Black-Wa...elease/6963670

I listened to the album often while I was growing up; it still has a fond place in my memory.