This September 1964 shot captures the Firehouse Five Plus Two music group performing at Disneyland's Golden Horseshoe Saloon. They probably had no idea how fortunate they were to catch this band comprised mainly of Disney artists and animators.
From left to right: on piano is animator Frank Thomas, the banjo player was often illustrator Harper Goff but this does not appear to be him. Erdman (Ed) Penner, a writer, is most likely who the soprano sax player is. Danny Alguire, fingerprint expert formerly with L.A.P.D. is on the cornet, and I'm not quite sure if that's Ward Kimball on the trombone or not. It could be Monte Mountjoy on the drums but his face is cut out, so who knows. The tuba player could also be Ed Penner if he's not the one on the soprano sax, but again…anybody's guess. I am sure someone will chime in with their educated 2 cents.
I'm just as fascinated by this Rube Goldberg instrument!
More classic Golden Horseshoe Saloon photos on my main website.
6 comments:
Love this band! Never got to see the Firehouse Five Plus Two when I went to the Golden Horseshoe back in the day, but I have a few of their CDs. I love listening to them while doing stuff around the house.
Cool detail you picked up on (Rube Goldberg instrument). Thanks, Dave.
One of the prized pieces in my collection is my "Firehouse Five Plus Two Crashes a Party" album signed by Ward Kimball to George Pal! It came from George Pal's estate. Ward Kimball actually signed several different albums for Pal, but I only managed to snag the one. I believe they got to know each other when Kimball was working on the Tomorrowland episodes of Disneyland, but I could be wrong.
Wow! I am quite sure that is Ward on trombone.
I think that Rube Goldberg instrument had a lineal descendent in the band of the Country Bear Jamboree.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAcQjRxqFQoTCMDC3bCHz8gCFU_NYwodGBQHZQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinterest.com%2Fpin%2F93871973456329371%2F&bvm=bv.105454873,d.cGc&psig=AFQjCNGV-Y--A2MAtVnE8twrvd-M3WwCvQ&ust=1445362026680757
JG
Frank Thomas - piano; Dick Roberts - banjo; Eddie Forrest - drums; Don Kinch - helicon; George Probert - soprano sax; Danny Alguire - trumpet; Ward Kimball - trombone, leader.
I saw (and heard) this edition of the Firehouse Five many times at Disneyland -- especially onstage in the Golden Horseshoe, as pictured here.
In later years, I played sessions with Alguire, worked in Kinch's band and had Probert and Thomas as sidemen in my own group.
Thanks for the info, Hal!
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