Page 80 - RSDG Year of 2022 CREST

84 EAGLE AND CARBINE
Musicians Branch
2022 has been a year of high-tempo activity due to the special anniversary of Amazing Grace, a change of the Chairman and the Pipes and Drums Secretary, and an informal gathering at the World Pipe Band Championships.
Sadly, Mike Bullen MBE decided to stand down as the Branch Chairman and Bert Tomkins as the Pipes and Drums Secretary. Both achieved so much during their long tenures in post. We wish them both and their families all the very best in the future and hope to see them at our future events – a huge thank you – slainte.
The New Chairman and Pipes and Drums Secretary
Lt Col (Retd) Bryon Brotherton MBE has taken up the reins as the Chairman and Iain Campbell, who was known as ‘Popeye’, has become the Pipes and Drums Secretary, while Charlie Ralley will stay on as Secretary for the Regimental Band. We thank both Bryon and Iain for stepping up to support the branch.
50th Anniversary of Amazing Grace
A report in the Scottish Daily Express newspaper, dated April 11, 1972 reads: ‘The march of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards to No 1 in the Top Twenty is only one step from success. Their chart-busting pipes and drums version of Amazing Grace stands at No. 2 this morning – poised for the pop sensation of the seventies’.
Pipe Major and Drum Majors of SCOTS DG at the AG 50 Anniversary: D/M Gary Rieley, D/M John Vine, P/M John Allen, P/M John Bruce, P/M Bryon Brotherton, P/M Derek Potter, P/M Ben Duncan.
As you are all aware, the rest is history, but most will be unaware of the huge impact the success of the recording had on the public’s perception of the bagpipe and its music – and it still resonates today, half a century later! And equally, both bands became the forefront of military music.
Therefore, the highlight for the Branch this year was the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Amazing Grace. A formal dinner was held on 2nd April in Edinburgh that saw the largest gathering of the Musicians Branch for many years.
We were delighted to welcome Brigadier Sir Mel Jameson, who was more than instrumental in the arrangements from 50 years ago and members of the bands who had played on the recording in 1972. We
Left to Right – John Dickson, Sandy Gibbs, Alan Paul, John Allen at the AG50 Anniversary.