TOPS IN BLUE 1999 BEGINS ITS WORLD TOUR

"Just for Our Fans" features a wide variety of Tops In Blue "favorites"

As the year 2000 approaches, Tops In Blue '99 has taken to the road, entertaining its audiences with a retrospective show that features the music and the acts that have become synonymous with TIB over the years. This year's show is entitled "Just for Our Fans," and it's a collection of some of the most popular TIB segments from the past. Tom Edwards says, "We're bringing back many of the favorites that our audiences have enjoyed and had fun with from previous shows." The show opens with a smokin' Swing Set, capturing the big band sound that TIB has been famous for and highlighted by some of today's hottest swing hits. There is also a red-hot Latin Set, cookin' up "hot salsa" beats like those in the '88 show, and of course it wouldn't be a TIB show without the classic trademark Country Set. There are also memorable R&B, rock, and disco hits as well as unforgettable re-creations of those famed California Raisins, the Village People, the march of the Toy Soldiers, the Jacksons, the incredible "Thriller" sequence, and more. With a heartwarming TIB finale that speaks to home, heroes, and of course our marvelous fans, this show has something for everyone.

The tour began with a premier show at Shriever AFB, CO on June 4th and made a short swing through the Midwest before taking off for the first of two European treks-this one including stops in the Azores, Italy, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bosnia and Spain. The complete tour itinerary is available here.

Take advantage of any opportunity you have to see this outstanding show and support the cast of Tops In Blue 1999 as they continue our legacy of "family entertaining family." And remember, if you are planning to attend the show, be sure to check with the base or location in advance to confirm scheduled dates, performance venue and seating availability.

GOT A STORY OR INFO? YOUR SUBMISSIONS ARE ALWAYS WELCOMED

If you've got a story or information that would be of interest to our Tops In Blue family, why not share it? As editor of the newsletter, I am always in the market for new articles and informative pieces. Submissions can be mailed to me (T.A. Burrows) at 10440 N. 63rd Avenue, Glendale, AZ 85302 or e-mailed to me at taburrows@att.net.

50's TIB'er DON MARONCELLI HASN'T MISSED A BEAT

Twenty-four years later he's still in the spotlight and credits TIB

When Don Maroncelli toured with TIB in the 1950's he was a drummer extraordinaire. Now, forty-four years later the beat goes on. Although these days he only plays drums on an occasional basis with jazz and big band groups, Don has made a name for himself in another area of entertainment- as a successful actor. And to this day, he credits Tops In Blue for providing him with the discipline it takes to succeed in the entertainment industry.

As a classification specialist at Kirtland AFB, NM in 1954, Don was an unhappy camper. When the opportunity to entertain came along, he jumped at it. He competed as a drummer, vocalist, and comedian and won at every level up to and including the Worldwide Talent Contest at Lowry AFB, CO, where he was promptly selected for Tops In Blue 1955.

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The tour was a unique experience, he recalls. Asked what was the hardest part, he says "Flying everywhere on those old prop planes. It was rough, we had to wear parachutes all the time and there was so much noise. Plus, there were times when we lost engines, blew tires, and landed where there was no landing strip. There were a lot of near misses." Cold weather was also a factor in places like Greenland, where they had no heat. Says Don, "You ever try to play drums in a parka, mukluks & mittens?" Don also recalls the group arriving late for a show at Lackland, due to mechanical problems. On arrival, they unloaded and set up their 26,000 pounds of equipment and went right into the show with no time for even a potty break. During the show, Don sneaked off stage to answer nature's call and in a rush to return in the dark, he ran head-on into a guy-wire cable, lacerated his neck, flipped and briefly knocked himself out cold. Of course in true TIB tradition, after coming to, he returned to the stage and then continued to play!

There were memorable moments as well, like the show at an outdoor coliseum in Formosa, in front of Chang Kai Shek, his wife and 15,000 Chinese nationals. That show included 103 choruses of "When the Saints Go Marching In" as the cast left the stage and wound its way through the entire crowd. After his '55 tour, Don transferred to the Air Force band, but still toured twice more with Tops In Blue-in '56 and '57.

When he was discharged from the Air Force in 1957 he headed for Las Vegas, where he took what he learned in Tops In Blue and parlayed it into a successful career. He started in television and radio as a voice-over artist then moved to on-camera work. His first movie role was in the 1960 classic "The Misfits," which starred screen legends Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe. Since then, he has done 65 films and over 400 commercials including pitches for Citgo Oil, Home Shopping Network and others. Now living in Florida, he has won numerous awards including eight "Crystal Reel Awards," presented by the Florida Motion Picture and Television Association.

He is currently starring in an upcoming movie entitled "Diamante" in which he plays a "half-Libyan, half-Venezuelan, diamond smuggling hit man." A versatile actor, he'll also be starring as kindly Professor Kooky in a PBS kids' series, "Dooley & Pals." With all his success, Don still finds time to stay in touch with some of his TIB family members and still follows the program. He was one of the featured performers in last year's Tops In Blue 45th Anniversary Reunion show at Lackland. And what advice does Don have for TIB'ers to come? "Go at it with your eyes wide open, expect many surprises, and prepare to have the time of your life!" No doubt, that wisdom has carried Don Maroncelli a long way.

SPOTLIGHT: Where Are They Now?

Name	Specialty	Tour
Bill Hennessey	Trumpet, Flugelhorn	Tops In Blue '83 ("The Land of Make Believe")

As of earlier this year, Bill, was stationed at Wright Patterson AFB, OH, where he was NCOIC of Preventive Dentistry. Married for 19 years, he and his wife have two children ages 6 and 4. Bill is still involved in entertainment, playing with "Instrumental Journey" a local band and he has twice played with Phil Driscol. In addition, Bill plays brass in the Living Word Church.

IN MEMORIAM

Gary Marlow, Mitch Blair, Jim Wasdin

...Forever Blue...

It is with deep regret that we acknowledge the recent loss of three of our Tops In Blue family members: Gary Marlow, who toured in 1982, Mitch Blair, who toured in the 1950's and Jim Wasdin, who toured in the 1950's. Let our prayers and heartfelt thoughts be with their families.