World's Largest Drum
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[edit] History
In 1921, Purdue Marching Band Director Spotts Emrick commissioned the Leedy Drum Company in Fort Wayne, Indiana to produce a massive bass drum. Since its inception, it has become a lasting symbol of the marching band as well as the university. The drum can be seen at all home football games as well as parades, alumni rallies, the Indianapolis 500 Race, and many other special events.
While the drum may have been the world's largest in overall size at the time it was constructed, other drums have claimed the title of world's largest, such as the University of Chicago drum [1] (later the University of Texas Big Bertha (drum) [2]) and the Millenium Drum. Officially, the University dubs it the "Big Bass Drum" (BBD), rather than world's largest. However, no official comparative measurement has ever been made. In 1961, the University of Texas and Purdue University chapters of Kappa Kappa Psi pledged to bring their drums to the national convention in Wichita, Kansas. Purdue showed, and Texas did not.
Though the drum easily towers ten feet high on its carriage, the exact dimensions of the drum itself are a closely held secret known only to the crew members. Many of the original components, the carriage, axle, wheels, and wood shell of the drum are all intact and well preserved. The carriage is built upon a Ford Model T back axle and wheelbase. The rims are steel wire spoke rims common during the 1910's in the racing circuit.
[edit] Captains
Each year the BBD has a captain. This is a list of the known previous captains:
1994 - Eric Stankiewicz
1995 - James O'Hagan
1996 - James O'Hagan
1997 - Bryan Warrick
1998 - Bryan Warrick
[edit] Beaters
The BBD has two beaters who work as a team to hit the drum. This is a list of the known previous beaters:
1985 - Ben Pfeffer, Al Golemo
1986 - Ben Pfeffer, Al Golemo
1987 - Ben Pfeffer, ?
1993 - Tim Maynard
1994 - Wayne Johnson, Vincent Edward Carter
1995 - Brian Quirk, James Beasley
1996 - Brian Quirk, Misty McIntyre
1997 - Brian Quirk, Brett Blumb (pictured above)
1998 - Andrew Bauer, Brent LaRoche
[edit] Pushers
The BBD has four pushers working to quickly move and navigate the drum through the band and across the football field. This is a list of the known previous pushers:
1994 - Eric Stankiewicz, James O'Hagan, Tim Heistand, Bryan Warrick
1995 - James O'Hagan, Bryan Warrick, Tim Heistand, Aaron ?
1996 - James O'Hagan, Bryan Warrick, Brett Blumb, Kevin Smith
1997 - Bryan Warrick (pictured above, front)
1998 - Bryan Warrick
[edit] Traditions
[edit] Spinning in the Block P
The Purdue All-American Marching Band was the first marching band to break ranks and form a letter on the field. During the pregame show, the drum is positioned in the 'P' formed by the marching band and spins while the band plays 'Hail Purdue!'.
[edit] Indianapolis 500
Being part of the official band of the Indianapolis 500, the drum can be seen on the back of a pickup truck driven around the track.
[edit] Aerials
When Purdue scores the drum crew can occasionally be seen performing aerials in the Southeast endzone of Ross-Ade Stadium. This is accomplished by first removing the 'third' wheel, which acts as kick stand. Two crew members pull down of the back of the drum as two other members are lifted on the front bar of the carriage, while performing acrobatic stunts, such as spinning on the bar, horizontal holds, and one handed balancing.
[edit] Pushups
Drum crew members perform pushups each time the Purdue Boilermakers score points. The pushups correspond to the total Purdue score achieved. Seven, Ten, Seventeen, Etc.
[edit] Signatures
The inside of the drum is filled with names of previous drum crew members. Through two air expansion holes in the side of the drum, one can easily spot the names. Kix Brooks of "Brooks and Dunn" signed his name to the drum before a concert at Purdue University in 1995.
