AND THE BAND PLAYED ON

                                       NORMAN  V.  KELLY

 

Music played a major and magic role in Peoria’s history almost from our very beginning and most certainly during the Civil War and Prohibition here in Peoria. I think the spotlight fell on local bands especially those bands that could put on colorful uniforms and actually march along in a straight line.  The first real famous band that got a lot of local fame and attention from other cities was Spencer’s Band. The truth is they were not as such a ‘marching band,’ doing more playing in venues here in Peoria, especially Rouse Hall.  They played at outdoor events, usually in a make-shift band stand and occasionally in a formal band stand in the first park concert in 1867. Later the Spencer Military Band was a special branch of the band and many of the members were veterans of the Civil War.  They marched and played their instruments to the enjoyment of thousands of people and of course in every patriotic function that ever took place in Peoria, Illinois.

 

The first band was organized by Emil Gillig. The year was 1858 and as far as I can ascertain, all the other so-called bands were amateurs who got together to march in local parades and civic functions.  Peoria throughout its history was a big parade town and as we got more and more conventions to come to the city the number of bands grew.  However it was Gillig’s band that stayed famous year after year. However, in 1862 when the Civil War was going strong, the need for marching bands was met by more and more musicians that felt it was their patriotic duty to appear in local bands.  Many troop trains that were loaded here or laying over here in Peoria were met by these bands and the lonely soldier appreciated these energetic, patriotic bands.

 

1862 brought a change in the Gillig’s band when Daniel Spencer joined the band.  He was an outstanding musician with a great personality and by 1863 the band’s name had been changed to Spencer’s Band.  They had a pretty formal name which was Spencer’s Light Guard Band.  They stayed together for years replacing only a member when one of their members died or retired.  Along with the military band an orchestra formed as well. Some of the leaders like Amand Moll and Anthony Kiefer were very famous here in Peoria.  They had a headquarters on Fourth Avenue above a ‘Fix it up’ shop and located very close to Spencer’s famous Dancing Academy.

 

When they were not called together to serve the local army demands they played at weddings and other social functions.  During the spring and summers they played at outdoor events and were at everything going on in Peoria from boat races to horse races. By 1917 they were perhaps one of the most famous bands in America and often traveled about the United States, playing town after town. They had a marching band as well but the seven original musicians mainly played fairs, huge outdoor events and fancy halls across the United States and most certainly here in Peoria as well.   When the Civil War ended they were the lead band on April 10, 1865’s massive parade. They led the way when our first Civil War Monument was dedicated here at the courthouse in 1866.  Many Civil War Veterans were among the many thousands that came to Peoria on that glorious day. This was a major parade in Peoria and seven other bands followed Spencer’s band with a four mile long parade of wagons and people. Many folks compared them to the great John Souza band and as a matter of fact were in existence longer that Souza’s famous band.

 

Our newspapers of that day were replete with photographs of Spencer’s band usually playing an outdoor concert. Spencer’s band managed to stay together until 1935 and through out most of that time was led by

Daniel Spencer. Spencer was said to have been a kind, courteous man whose actual occupation was that of a dance master who taught music and dancing. Finally during 2-5-1946 the last living member of the band, Anthony Kiefer gave up the band’s State of Illinois charter. Actually it became inactive in 1932 and efforts to revive it failed.  Rising from that Phoenix was the Peoria Municipal Band.

 

Of course by now there were quite a few bands and orchestras in Peoria but the passing of Spencer’s Band into history caused a lot of sadness in the town.  During their era they brought music into our school system which spawned all kinds of school bands and individual musicians that went on to fame with their chosen musical instrument. Spencer’s Academy made music, dancing and singing a common thing in our town and the churches of all faiths.  In 1920 when Peoria fell victim to Prohibition music played another major role keeping the morale high during those difficult years. Jazz was here in force as the vaudevillians took over our theaters and soft drink parlors.  Today we have a lot of local bands and along with the Peoria Symphony music is still alive and well in Peoria, Illinois.

Editor’s Note:  Norm is a local Historian, Author and a monthly contributor to

50 plus News & Views.                                 norman.kelly@sbcglobal.net