ID Answers

Hilton Crusaders/Rochester Crusaders / Rochester Grey Knights / Irondequoit Crusaders / Rochester Grey Knight Crusaders / Rochester Crusader Grey Knights / Fabulous Crusaders

 

The Crusaders began as a parade corps in 1947 and were the Hilton Crusaders sponsored by the Hilton (NY) Fire Department. At some point they were also sponsored by American Legion Hiscock-Fishbaugh Post 788. The Hilton Crusaders became the Rochester Crusaders at an unknown date.

Prior to 1965 the Rochester Crusaders were sponsored by the American Legion Post #134 of Irondequoit and the VFW Post #1466 of Rochester. Irondequoit is a suburb of Rochester, NY. Therefore they were variously known as the Rochester Crusaders or the Irondequoit Crusaders.  That seems easily explainable.

They also were known as the Fabulous Crusaders.

I have heard recordings from 1962 - 1972 where they were introduced as the Fabulous Crusaders from Rochester.  So up to 1965, we have one corps identified by three different names. One would guess that the name that was used dependent on the contest's sponsor.

The earliest DCA recording I have is 1969 and in that contest they were identified as the Fabulous Crusaders. From 1976 forward, DCA identifies them as the Rochester Crusaders.  I do not know how they were identified between 1973 and 1975.

At the same time, there was a corps called the Rochester Grey Knights sponsored by American Legion Grey Knights Post 952. They began in 1946.

In 1965 the Rochester Crusaders and Rochester Grey Knights merged to become the Rochester Grey Knight Crusaders (or, as a February Drum Corps World called them, Rochester Crusader Grey Knights) and captured the American Legion Senior National Championship under the former name. They maintained that name into 1966. It is possible then that in 1965 and 1966, the merged corps went by four different names: Rochester Crusaders, the Fabulous Crusaders, the Rochester Grey Knight Crusaders, or the Rochester Crusader Grey Knights.

From 1967 the corps went by the name Fabulous Crusaders or Rochester Crusaders. I suspect the name Crusader Grey Knights lasted only a few months.

I'd love to hear from an ex-member or staff member.

OldSopPlaya