Firehouse Five Plus Two

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.

Sax at Disneyland

The legendary Wayne King, Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Bill Elliot pose at Disneyland near Tomorrowland as they prepare to play in the Disneyland Big Band Festival, June 14, 1964. This photo is part of the UCLA Library Digital Archives.

For all you sax fans out there, here's a closeup of Bill's instrument. Wonder what the letters are in his pocket?



Individual portraits of the quartet from different gigs at Disneyland. Wayne King:



Count Basie from September 1978 at the Plaza Gardens:



Duke Ellington from August 1965:



Bill Elliott from August 27, 1965 in FauxD©:



Not enough sax for you? How about this March 1981 image of the Firehouse Five playing on East Center Street:



Hope you've had enough sax for today!

See more vintage & current Disneyland photos on my main website.

More 25th Anniversary Trip Photos, June 1980

After the Skyway, our June 1980 photographer was all over the place, beginning with Casey Junior.

Less than a year old, one of the Big Thunder Mountain mine trains speeds by:



Fortunately, parts of Rainbow Ridge survived the demolition of Nature's Wonderland to grace the new Big Thunder Mountain attraction:



The tip of the Blue Bayou Restaurant sign is visible on the right side of this New Orleans Square photo:



As afternoon begins to fade to night, the pink glow of sunset peaks out behind the Mark Twain.



Over on East Center Street, the Firehouse Five entertains guests:



A vibrant Tomorrowland comes to life at night, with this image showcasing the Rocket Jets and The PeopleMover:



At the Tomorrowland Terrace, guests dance to the music of Papa Doo Run Run. I assume Shaun Cassidy is not part of this group.





The last few images show the beloved Main Street Electrical Parade.



"Baroque Howdown" is beginning to invade my brain.











Last one of the set shows the special 25th Anniversary float:



Hope you enjoyed our trip back to the 80's!

See more vintage & current Disneyland Fowler's Harbor photos on my Fowler's Harbor web page.