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Born in New York City started playing rudimental drums in Drum Corps at ten years old. By One of the all time greats Bobby Thompson. As A teenager I play rudimental bass drum in St. Rocco's Cadets drumline, instructed by Eric Perriloux, who I consider "The modern drummer of all time. At the age of sixteen recorded and toured with "The Sand Pebbles" released a number one single called "Love Power"(while I was in St. Roccos, nobody knew.). It was funny I'd rather be on that ratty old bus on my way to a Drum Corps competition, or parade, than in a limo, on my way to perform with " The Sandpebbles" (Bizarre!!)
This Corps had magic in it. It wasn't about our drill although that got better too! It was the way "The Roc" played the music. St. Roccos had so many talented individuals, any one of them could have carried a single Drum Corps on their own. And that was the magic about this drum Corps, these kids stayed together as a unit, they played their hearts out, and you could feel it in your soul.
I remember The Roc's practice on Randalls Island seeing the crowds of drum corps people, fans, young and old watching most of the top Drum Corps from New York rehearse on two really over sized parking lots. Like The Warriors, The Bronx Kingsmen (before they went latin), St. Joes from Brooklyn, including "The New York Skyliners." "The Cadets" took the field last. Almost every drum corps stayed to see and hear "The Cadets" play.
In their street clothes with their famous black jackets on they would put on a show. "The sound would knock your socks off!" They were one of the strongest, cleanest hornlines ever! . Solo sopranos screaming, french horns sustaining power, big band bass drum solos. It was like a major "Big Time" jazz band concert. MAN! It was so cool!!
After St. Roccos, I served in Army toured the Fareast Vietnam, Hong Kong, Japan, and Okinawa with a Band made up of servicemen called "TLA" (Trans Love Airways) Bob Hope USO Show Jazz, R&B, Funk and Pop Drummer..... Played with: Les McCann, Grover Washington Jr, Average White Band, Ray Parker Jr, Stanley Turrntine, Earth Wind & Fire, Freddie Hubbard, Nancy Wilson, Nite Flight, Miroslav Kudykowski, Tribe, Earl Foster Jr. Clyde Powell, Lonnie Youngblood,Chaka Khaun, Herbie Hancock, Al Jarreau... Awards: Amercian Music Award, Emmy & UPI Award winning photog...
I put this site together because I loved "The Roc". We were like family, and I thought it was time to do something about one of the Drum Corps icons. The Roc needed a place to call home, find some long lost friends, and make some new ones.
"St. Rocco's Cadets" was one of the Greatest Drum Corps ever! We didn't know it at the time. We were just having the time of our lives..
So this is a reminder to the members, and to all, who we were...
Harold Smiley Davis (zipster)
Solid as a Roc Drumline
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