IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
A RESOLUTION congratulating Tony DiPardo, Kansas City's own "Mr. Music," on the occasion of his 95th birthday celebration.
Intro
RESOLUTION #16384, August 20, 2007
INTRODUCED BY Fred Arbanas, Dan Tarwater, Henry C. Rizzo, Theresa A. Garza,
Scott Burnett, James D. Tindall, Dennis Waits, Greg Grounds,
and Bob Spence, County Legislators
Body
WHEREAS, Tony DiPardo, known as "Mr. Music" for his role as the leader of the Kansas City Chiefs pep band, celebrates his 95th birthday with a Kansas City celebration; and,
WHEREAS, Tony, who grew up in an impoverished section of downtown St. Louis, developed a love of music as an elementary school student and became the star pupil; and,
WHEREAS, In 1963, Tony's life changed forever when Kansas City Mayor H. Roe Bartle recommended him to Kansas City Chiefs' owner, the late Lamar Hunt, to be team's band director; and,
WHEREAS, Tony and Mr. Hunt shook hands on their contract, and 45 years later use that same handshake as the foundation for the longest-running music act in National Football League history; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Hunt put it best when he said, "In Kansas City, TD doesn't just stand for touchdown. It stands for Tony DiPardo"; and,
WHEREAS, Tony continues to decorate the walls of his home with letters from presidents, governors, fans, and followers, who have been lucky enough to have a little of his unique magic come their way; and,
WHEREAS, Tony took a bold approach to celebrating his 95th birthday by leading a pack of twenty-six Harley-Davidsons from Lee's Summit, which was his home for 26 years, to Grandview; and,
WHEREAS, Tony will end the birthday bash with a public celebration at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 26, 2007; and,
WHEREAS, the proceeds from the birthday event will benefit the Tony DiPardo Music Foundation, which provides instruments and inspiration to high school...
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