George T. “Red” Bird

When marching band innovator George T. “Red” Bird took the helm of Washington High School’s band in 1938, he taught his musicians to march military style to the swing music he played with big bands. Fans begged to hear their rendition of “Rampart Street Parade,” which was reserved for the McKinley game and the seniors’ last hurrah as they marched to the high school after the Memorial Day ceremony at Massillon Cemetery.

Bird joined Paul Brown in 1946 as music director for the Cleveland Browns and followed him to fill the same position when Brown founded the Cincinnati Bengals.