Attempting to silence the Baltimore Bugle Boys in the upper deck of Memorial Stadium became a failed proposition. The first reaction from football management was to bar them from the premises. Then there was a conciliatory proviso: They could attend but would have to leave their instruments home.
The Baltimore Colts general manager, Don Kellett, the best there ever was, wanted to mute the self-styled Bugle Boys of the early 1960s but, after profound consideration, came to his usual good judgment and approved their presence.
It was a decision that drew applause and was almost as important, but not quite, as his signing of John Unitas as a free agent.
So, fortunately or unfortunately, depending on eardrum tolerance, the Bugle Boys lived to play another day. Some seat occupants of the stadium, not enamored of the Bugle Boys, were hoping they would blow their brains out. The controversy surrounding the happy buglers erupted into a cause celebre.
The crux of the matter is that when the Colts were struggling to sell tickets, the Bugle Boys were acceptable. Suddenly, the stadium became crowded, and their patronage wasn't as welcome. A typical scenario of when the public spoils management with its support, financially and spiritually.
For the Colts to think about giving the Bugle Boys such shoddy treatment resulted in much indignation. One sportswriter rushed their defense and cited all the reasons they made a perfect fit for the place that was called "the world's largest outdoor insane asylum."
The group had its genesis in East Baltimore. Three of the buglers were accomplished musicians with the Velvetones, a smooth, play-anything kind of band that was popular at diverse social functions, including weddings, banquets, oyster roasts, crab feasts, goat ropings and even rat killings.
At Colts games, they would take their seats in Section 32, armed with something to drink and their bugles. In unison, they would play the charge call, the same kind of sounds that now electronically come out of the P.A. systems in stadiums all across the country. But with the Bugle Boys, you heard the true natural tones emanating from their horns.
The Bugle Boys even formed their own organization. Milton Szmajda became president. The other original members were Bob Schilling, Don "Ducky" Olkowski, Paul Kozlowski, Joe Kalinowski, Ray Luberecki and the late Melvin Zielski, otherwise known as "Reds" Murphy. A true fun lover was this ever-smiling Zielski/Murphy, a little round man who could dance all night.
