Did you ever wonder about "Hawaiian War Chant"? (Is it REALLY a Hawaiian war chant, in other words.)

This story about comic musician, Spike Jones, the truth unfolds.

"Hawaiian War Chant was written in the 1860s by the Hawaiian prince Leleiohoku and was originally entitled “We Two in the Spray,” with lyrics telling of two lovers, not a battle. In 1936 Ralph Freed changed it to English lyrics and Johnny Noble altered the melody, and the tune was performed by the Tommy Dorsey Band in the 1942 film Ship Ahoy. It was this version that Jones would lampoon in 1946, kicking up the tempo and changing the lyrics with Grayson doing the (uncredited) lead vocals. Jones’ version reached #8 on the U.S. charts that year, yet another example of a Spike Jones satirical take on a pop song actually selling better than the original song itself. Freed and Noble’s version proved more enduring, however, as Les Paul and Mary Ford, Sandi Griffiths, Sally Flynn, the Muppets, Nathan Lane (as Timon in The Lion King), Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys, and Weird Al Yankovic all recorded covers or adaptations of it. The song is in the regular repertoire of both the University of Hawaii Marching Band and the Michigan Marching Band. Finally, Disney has used it in two of their theme park attractions (the Enchanted Tiki Room at Disneyland and the Adventurers Club’s Pleasure Island)."

This from the blog "Zayde's Turntable" and the post is titled "Musical Depreciation, Fun for the Eyes and Ears. ("Zayde" is Yiddish for "Grandfather" - I looked it up!)

Michigan Marching Band 2011 Crisler Arena Concert Poster - PASS IT ON!

Here is the 2011 Michigan Marching Band Concert at Crisler Arena poster!

Download this and e-mail it to your family and friends in Michigan, and any UM Alumni groups in your city. And post it on your favorite social network.

You can print it out and pin it on the bulletin board at work, at the corner store or your refrigerator.

It would be awesome for Band Alumni to pass this around to family and people they know -- especially families with little kids. This year the concert is in the afternoon and it will end early enough that it's possible for families to drive across the state and make it home before the kids' bedtime. I get the impression that the normal promotion for the concert concentrates on Ann Arbor, so getting it known in areas a bit farther away could help bring in new people -- more friends for the Band and more little guys thinking "I'm going to do that some day!"

SO, pass it on!

Michigan Marching Band Viral Video VIDEO!

MMB Photo-Video has posted the official Michigan Marching Band "Viral Video" halftime show video. It even has an inset screen with the actual videos played as part of the show!


For a closer view from the end-zone (and hear what members of the audience are saying about the show) see this one from joshsko.


Finally, enjoy the music again in this video of the post-game show.

PS geeksaresexy.net mentioned the MMB Viral Video show. The post ended with: "And kudos to whoever composed the arrangements of these recognizable tunes!" (The "whoever" was John W. Stout.)

Michigan Marching Band in Concert at Crisler Arena

The MMB's final Ann Arbor performance of the year features highlights from this season's pregame and halftime shows, as well as all your Michigan favorites. Tickets available in advance at Revelli Hall or at Crisler Arena the day of the concert. Crisler Arena doors and Box Office open at 1:00PM.

Where: Crisler Arena
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Date: Sunday, December 11, 2011
Time: 2:00 p.m.















To which I add:


You should go to see the Michigan Band at Crisler Arena because:

1. No football traffic!

2. You can sit right in front the the band and get the full impact of over 200 brass, woodwind and percussion instruments, LIVE!

3. You can take kids of ANY age to see this show. Really! No child has been born who can make noise louder than the Michigan Marching Band plays. And, kids love the band. Bring a carload of kids (your kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews, neighbors!) and they will remember this forever.

4. It's fun!

5. The Drum Line!

6. The Flags!

7. The Twirlers!

8. Sing the Victors as loud as you want!

9. Hear all the music you missed because you weren't at the game

10. Last chance this year!

This Week's MMB Halftime: "Viral Video"

In the 1970's, Michigan Marching Band director, George Cavender was fond of saying: "It's never been done before!" I wonder what he would say about this show MMB will be performing Saturday at the UM vs Nebraska game!

From the Michigan Marching Band e-newsletter Nov 17, 2011

“Heeeyyyy… Chaaaarlie……!”

Have your friends said this to each other, but neither of them is named Charlie? Have you heard a stranger sobbing about seeing a double rainbow on a sunny day? Do your kids dance around the house shouting about ‘double dream hands,’ but you wonder what they could possibly mean?

The MMB has selected the most popular viral videos to feature in Saturday's show, each of which have been viewed by tens-of-millions or even hundreds-of-millions of people.

The MMB is prepared to teach you to dance “Double Dream Hands.” They will play along with some of the most popular viral music videos like “The Gummy Bear Song,” “Trololo,” and “Double Rainbow.”

By integrating video clips, creative formations, dancing, and music, the MMB will make sure you are up to speed with your friends and neighbors, and maybe even able to teach them a thing or two! Make sure not to miss Saturday’s educational and highly entertaining halftime show

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POST-GAME UPDATE! MMB Viral Video Halftime Show VIDEO!

The only thing I need to post about Patrick Fleming

MMB alumnus Andrew Lapin wrote exactly what I was thinking, so I'll let him say it in Patrick Fleming and the Bands Who Miss Him.

Be part of the first ever fan-selected halftime show!!

Halftime of the San Diego State game will be 100% fan selected!!

Voting will begin September 17 during the EMU game. Those in attendance will be able to text their fan selection. An online vote at http://www.mgoblue.com/fanschoice will take place Sunday, September 18 through Wednesday, September 21. Each day's top voted-for song will be added the the halftime playlist.

The list of songs includes:

SATURDAY VOTE:
Classic Rock
Detroit Rock City (KISS)
Livin’ on a Prayer (Bon Jovi)
Black Dog/Kashmir (Led Zeppelin)
Don’t Stop Believin’ (Journey)
Cat Scratch Fever / Old Time Rock & Roll (Ted Nugent & Bob Seger)

SUNDAY'S VOTE:
Dance Music
What is Love / Till the World Ends (Haddaway & Britney Spears)
Vogue / Smells Like Teen Spirit (Madonna & Nirvana)
Harder Better Faster Stronger / Blue / Dynamite (Daft Punk, Eiffel 65, & Taio Cruz)
Heaven / Everytime We Touch (DJ Sammy & Yanou, Bryan Adams, & Cascada)

MONDAY'S VOTE:
Classic Stand Tunes
Twist and Shout (Isley Brothers & The Beatles)
Money for Nothing / Take On Me (Dire Straits & A-Ha)
Sweet Caroline (Neil Diamond)
Thriller (Michael Jackson)

TUESDAY'S VOTE:
Michigan Made
Lose Yourself (Eminem)
All Summer Long / Born Free (Kid Rock)
Respect (Aretha Franklin)
Sledgehammer / Addicted to Love (Peter Gabriel & Robert Palmer)

WEDNESDAY'S VOTE:
U-M Traditional Tunes
Temptation
Hawaiian War Chant
Rocky the Flying Squirrel (Bullwinkle theme)
Hoover St. Rag
Calyptors
I Can’t Turn You Loose (Blues Brothers)

Show your spirit and be a part of the first every fan-selected halftime show!!