Kansas City's Own Bill Grigsby dies at 89

Kansas City's Ol' Pardner

By Josh Looney

Posted Feb 26, 2011

Bill Grigsby wasn’t just a Kansas City icon, he was indeed Mr. Kansas City himself.

Bill Grigsby was a dear friend of mine. Countless amounts of others can claim the same.

Grigsby’s circle of friends wasn’t limited to Chiefs players, coaches or fans. His reach went far beyond city limits. Grigs was more than the familiar voice who broadcast Kansas City’s Super Bowl IV victory. His life work is documented in several Hall of Fames, but those honors only begin to shed light on life that Grigsby lived.

Bill Grigsby wasn’t just a Kansas City icon, he was indeed Mr. Kansas City himself.

He and wife Fran formed one of the city’s finest duos. Grigsby’s life was shaped by Chiefs football, but he will forever be remembered by the infinite relationships he formed.

Kansas City lost a true treasure early Saturday morning. “The Prince of Parkville” had just celebrated his 89^th birthday earlier this month.

“Like all Chiefs fans, our thoughts and prayers are with Fran and the entire Grigsby family at this difficult time,” Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt said. “Bill’s voice brought some of the most memorable action and exciting plays in Chiefs history to our fans. He will be truly missed.”

An eternal optimist, Grigsby had been fighting a form of prostate cancer that left him in and out of the hospital for much of the fall. In between cancer treatments he still found the strength to attend Marty Schottenheimer’s Chiefs Hall of Fame dinner and his own pre-game tribute prior to the Chiefs/49ers game September 26^th.

Chiefs fans gave Grigsby a lengthy standing ovation that morning. In a touching moment, Grigsby rose from his wheelchair at midfield to show his gratitude.

Grigsby was a fighter. He always remained confident that he’d beat the illness and religiously called in to check on his Chiefs.

Grigsby entertained Chiefs fans on and off the field for 62 years. He officially retired from broadcasting in 2010, but was never far from the team he cherished.

We remember his calls and, of course, his one-of-a-kind personality. And who could forget Grigsby’s “Jaaaaaazzzzzzzzzzzzz” commercials?

Within the last two months we’ve lost two of Kansas City’s greatest treasures in Grigsby and former TD Pack Band leader Tony DiPardo. Chiefs watch parties in heaven just got a lot more entertaining.

There’s nobody like Grigs, and there never will be.

We’ll miss you Ol’ Pardner.

Congrats To The 2011 Chiefs Cheerleader Squad!

Watch the Video

 

Bandleader, KC icon Tony DiPardo dies at 98

By ROBERT TRUSSELL

The Kansas City Star

Bandleader Tony DiPardo, a boisterous showman who for almost 45 years was the most visible Kansas City Chiefs booster in town, died this morning. He was 98.

DiPardo, was a trumpeter and swing-era veteran who became a successful conductor of hotel and society bands here beginning in the 1940s. He later formed a booking agency through which he hired musicians — many of them skilled jazz players — for a wide variety of engagements and fielded numerous bands simultaneously under the DiPardo name.

The man who often called himself “Mr. Music of Kansas City” was known as a tireless promoter and a shrewd businessman who built a reputation as one of the city’s most ubiquitous bandleaders.

But DiPardo always considered his 20-year run as the Chiefs music director as a special chapter in his career.

“It was great,” he said once. “It was one of the highlights of my life in music, was being the bandleader for the Chiefs for 20 years. And I miss it.”

Indeed, DiPardo was so dedicated to the Chiefs that he was virtually a member of the team. He proudly wore a Super Bowl ring from the team’s only World Championship in 1970.

DiPardo began providing live music for Chiefs games in 1963, when the team played at old Municipal Stadium and games were not well attended. He became a visual symbol at home games, often donning a war bonnet and riding Warpath, the Chiefs’ mascot, around the stadium.

“Sometimes he could be too much of a fan,” said former Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson. “I remember being in the huddle and I was trying to call a play and he’d start up that ‘Charge!’ cheer with his trumpet. I used to tell Hank Stram, ‘Hey, can you get Tony to do that charge thing when the other team’s in the huddle?’ Do it when John Hadl’s trying to call a play.”

DiPardo stepped aside in 1983, when the organization decided to take the music in a different direction. But the team brought DiPardo back in 1989, the year his daughter, Patti DiPardo, became the band director.

DiPardo grew up in an Italian-American neighborhood in St. Louis, where he began cornet lessons when he was 9. His professional career began when he was 14 or 15 in St. Louis nightclubs.

Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2011/01/27/2614022/bandleader-kc-icon-tony-dipardo.html#ixzz1CGGtf67w

Super Bowl XLV

Super Bowl XLV

Pre Game Tailgating caught by KCStar.com

Click here to see all the KC Chiefs Tailgating pictures

Go Chiefs!

Sent from Sprint Evo 4G

Slide Show Photo's of the bus

Click here for a slide show of the Fan Van