The Bayonne Bridgemen are just as entertaining over coffee at Amici’s as they are on the field during a performance. A lot of loud laughter and singing could be heard coming from our table at the Bergen Point restaurant.
The Bayonne Bridgemen are a drum and bugle corps that you may have seen in one of our town’s many parades. Standing out in their yellow-and-black uniforms, they play hits from a bygone era and for decades have delighted audiences with their fun, campy style.
The corps debuted in 1964 as the St. Andrew’s Parish Bridgemen. The group was the brainchild of Roman Catholic priest Father Joseph Donovan and local businessman Ed Holmes, who wanted to create a youth activity that could represent the church at events.
By the mid ’70s, the Bridgemen—independent from the parish—had earned a reputation as great entertainers.
“We changed the drum corps and made it theatrical,” says director George Lavelle. The group’s self-described “Head Kahuna,” Lavelle traveled with his Bridgemen uncles to shows in the ’70s and later played the soprano trumpet. The group’s 105 members include teenagers and seniors.
Lavelle brought along Robert Hunter, a member since 1972 who plays the soprano trumpet; Lori Law, guard captain; and Barbara Rubino, at 17, one of the youngest members.
All are Bayonne natives.
Hunter describes his best Bridgemen memory: “1973, we played the William Tell Overture and we came across the field with a big white horse and the crowd went nuts.”
Lavelle’s favorite performance was “In 2006 we came down 26th Street into the stadium and it was packed. We recreated what happened in 1976, the first time they played in the yellow coats. We had police escorts just like back in the day. In the ’70s the crowd was in a state of shock because it was so different from the uniforms at that time, which were more like the military.”
Lavelle brought the Bridgemen back after a decades-long hiatus.
“They did a drum corps feasibility study to see if the alumni corps would be possible,” Lavelle says. “The board approved it but they said, good luck making it happen and getting together the money. But you know you should never tell someone from Bayonne that they can’t do something. We started with five practices, and on Memorial Day went on to the field show, and it’s been 10 years.”
They have members from Canada, Florida, and Massachusetts.
The group lives by what Lavelle calls the “Bridgemen Way.”
Hunter elaborates, “It’s when you make a mistake and you can joke about it and turn it into a gag.”
The group pulls stunts like pretending to faint on the field or dropping a bit of political satire into their shows, a practice that has changed the face of traditional drum corps. Their values also set the corps apart.
“You’re not allowed to drink on Bridgemen time,” Lavelle says. “We’re about performing and having a positive experience.” They’re a family, with the youngest learning from the oldest, and the elders getting inspiration from the newcomers.
Rubino weighs in: “I’ve definitely grown as a performer. If you have a bad day, you have 150 people to make it better. Just to perform as a family makes it so you can’t be nervous.”
Law’s biggest takeway? “Commitment, you join a team and you have to stick it out.”
Says Rubino, “I will be going to college soon, and this taught me that to get anywhere in life you have to work hard.”—BLP
For more information, visit bridgemen.com.—BLP