OK... another "Dennis story" that just came to mind:
Dennis had to miss two or three shows during the 1981 season when he did a "study abroad" trip to Europe with some of his students. He came back in time for the Dream contest, which was held that year at Giants Stadium. So.... he learned all the drill/music changes, and was doing pretty well at catching up during rehearsal.
Then came the show. And for whatever reason...information overload or whatever...., Dennis drew a complete blank several times marching during the show.
I remember near the beginning on the "Barnum" opener, we (the midrange players on our side of the drill) did a flank move, turning from facing forward to marching backfield. Well, at that show, Dennis turned the wrong way and almost took Michelle's head off with his horn!!!
Then, during the drum solo, we did a "wind-out" move during the 7/8 tempo part (at least I think it was 7/8... whatever)...one-two-three, one-two, one-two, etc. I led the move on the way out, with Dennis behind me, then the rest of our section.... then at some point we did a flank move to "wind" the formation back. So... we did the quick flank move, and Dennis got his foot caught in the Astroturf and literally stumbled out of line.
It happened that the visual judge following us was from New England, and was a friend of Dennis. Might have been Joe Nee or someone like that. So, here was the judge, following us, talking into his tape recorder, something like, "good control, nice intervals, good job so far..." then the flank move, Dennis fell out of line, and the judge said, "Oh, COME ON, Dennis!!!! I GOTTA hit that!!!!" Dennis, the judge and me all broke up laughing!! LOL
Fran Haring
I'll always remember Dennis as a good person and a funny guy.. He was a great Sunriser!!!
Another memory I have was from 1979,, I was in Bridgemen and remember having a show somewhere in the swamps of Jersey.. During Spanish Dreams, I was cruising along when a Judge walked right in front of me and said "hey Billy,how's it going?, I was a bit startled but when I looked and saw who it was I could only respond.. Dennis, how the F..k are ya? all this while he was tawkin into his cheesy DCI issued Radio Shack tape recorder... I wonder if he ever erased that part of the tape?.. Anyway, Great guy, person and fellow member... R I P..Dennis
Billy Di Paolo
Rest in Peace Dennis. You're a good friend and you will be missed.
I remember walking thru Woodbridge Center Mall one night with Lenny and we ran into Dennis. He was supposed to pick up his new car that night but some kind of clitch happened and he wouldn't be able to get it until the next night. The problem was he had already turned in his old car and now had no way home. He had just arrived and was going to try and call someone to pick him up. We broght him home and I think everything worked out the next day. Even with something like that, he was still smiling and just shrugged it off. Not to mention making every Wed. night & Friday practice all summer as well as every night the week before DCA's like we used to do and, at that time he was coming from RI. We'll miss you friend!!
Mike Clougher
I remember we had a show in Rhode Island and Dennis got his school for us to practice in....it was that instance in which everyone knew just how far he travels to get to practice and everyone was in awe. He never miised and was on time coming from that distance. Always had a smile on his face and a funny story. He will be missed.
Nat Mazyk
Dennis was a "classic" Sunriser and will be truly missed. His dedication and selfless contributions of his time and effort were up there with the best.
Dennis was a major contributor to a few DCA championships and he was a very nice kid. Like someone else posted somewhere, he used to drive down for Wednesday night rehearsals on Long Island from providence.
Pete China
Dennis was the Sarah Lee of DCA (remember, "nobody doesn't like Sarah Lee?") I don't think I ever met anyone who didn't like Dennis. He was sensitive, funny, and he didn't lose his temper even when playing between Muggsy and Stan!!!
He was a funny bastard a) when he did lose his temper - he sort of got all flustered about things that pissed him off. or b) when he was tipsy (which I don't remember happening too often, but when it did!). He also had a ridiculously dry sense of humor, like a James Bond martini dry.
There were people AS dedicated, but I don't remember anyone MORE dedicated.
A corps with 60 Dennis Plantes would win every year (but there'd be no solos - which in a lot of cases would be a huge improvement). I'm glad he was inducted into Sun's HOF while he was around to enjoy the honor - I'll bet it meant a lot to him.
I wonder how many folks remember that he and Mike Hart had a close knit cameraderie, which is only funny when you consider that outside of both being great guys who would do anything for you, they were about as opposite as any two people you could meet - Dennis wouldn't hurt a fly, and Mike would shoot the 6 people standing near the fly in order to have a shot at killing it!!! That's the kind of friendships that come out of the good drum corps...
Ray Fallon
Some time in the 1980's...
we had a show in CT. It rained ALL day & was cancelled so we pretty much partied all day. I was "blasted" & lets just say that "my ride" LEFT me in CT. Dennis drove me all the way back to Long Island (remember he lived in Rhode Island)
To make matters worse, the rain was so bad that there was flash flooding & closed roads EVERYWHERE. Traffic was way past horrendeous. He never complained or even brought it up to me again - he just took me home.
How could you NOT love the guy? Hey Dennis.......RIP .........great guy-big grin!!!
Michelle Montauro
