Bluford Library Archives: The Legend of Cold Steel
There is tremendous Aggie Pride in anticipation of the Blue and Gold Marching Machine’s performance at the Tournament of the Roses Parade on January 1, 2024. All of the ensembles are essential to making the Blue and Gold Marching Machine (BGMM) outstanding. A standout section of the band is the drum line, more famously known as Cold Steel. The mighty Cold Steel provides the “rhythmic pulses and cadences for BGMM. Their history goes back decades across the more than 100 years of the marching machine. The drumline has thrilled generations of Aggies, fans, and rival patrons.
The original “A. and T. College Marching Band” was formed in 1918 as a 50-piece ensemble under the direction of Prof. William Edward Lew. A newly revived college band began national tours in 1931, with Phairlever Pearson believed to have been the first drum major (1932-34).
Members of the band famously served in the B-1 Navy Band during World War II. One of those band members who would forever change music at A&T was Walter F. Carlson.
Dr. Carlson modeled the band’s uniforms and new high stepping style after Ohio State University and the University of Michigan. The band began to dance on the field during the performances.
By the 1960s the band membership had grown to over 200 members. The band would continue to grow and expand under the direction of J. J. Williams, Dr. Johnny B. Hodge, and to this day under Dr. Kenneth G. Ruff. In the 1986, the band was renamed the Blue and Gold Marching Machine.
The name “Cold Steel” was coined for the drumline around 1993. This was part of new coinages for the band unit preparation for massive band competitions. The famous auxiliary dance unit (majorettes, flags) are still known today as the “Golden Delights.” The trumpets are known as the “Scream Machine” and the woodwind instruments are called the “Ebony Kings and Queens.”
In the Aggie history timeline, there are too many memorable performances of Cold Steel to highlight. Among them are when, hip-hop artist, Flava Flav, led the drumline at the 2006 Homecoming Concert and the band on field on October 21 during the game. Millions watched the band’s performance at the 2012 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The BGMM have performed in multiple Honda Battle of the Bands, and won in 2018, during their centennial year.
Cold Steel also has a familiar and highly anticipated presence in the North Carolina community from performing at the N.C. Folk Festival, multiple city parades and our very own homecoming parade.
Continuing a decade long heritage of Aggies performing for new North Carolina administrations, the drumline performed at the inauguration of Governor Roy Cooper in 2017. They have also cheered and inspired generations of children with performances at local elementary, middle and high schools.
There is no doubt there will be Aggie Pride Nationwide with the BGMM and Cold Steel Drumline thrill millions at the Tournament of Roses Parade in January 2024.
The University Archives and Special Collections have Aggie Digital Video Collections, with dozens of captured performances of the various university bands from 1938 to 1979. The Archives also keep photographs, papers, flyers, and more about the visual and performing arts at NCA&T. For more information, please contact us at libraryarchives@ncat.edu.
