Description:
One of the most popular marches ever written, Colonel Bogey was composed in 1914 by Lt. Frederick J. Ricketts (1881-1945) under the pseudonym Kenneth J. Alford. Born in London, Ricketts enlisted in the band of the First Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment at age fourteen He later studied at the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall. Ricketts served as bandmaster to several battalions, and was appointed Director of Music of the famed Royal Marines of Plymouth in 1930.He composed 19 known marches and several other light works under the pseudonym Kenneth J. Alford, but Colonel Bogey remains his most popular work. Opening with a characteristic two-note phrase (a descending minor third) it is said that the tune was inspired by a fiery and somewhat eccentric military man and avid golfer nicknamed "Colonel Bogey" who used to whistle the catchy notes instead of shouting "Fore" when about to drive a ball. By the early 1930s Colonel Bogey had sold well over one million copies, and became widely used for… Read More