March On! ...the history of the
Toronto Optimists Drum & Bugle Corps
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Jim McConkey
Corps: St. Vincents Cadets of Bayonne, St. Joe’s Newark, Blessed Sacrament Golden Knights, Archer Epler Musketeers, Canada’s Marching Ambassadors, Reilly Raiders, Toronto Optimists
September 10, 1938 – June 23, 2017
Jimmy McConkey was a true pioneer of drum major showmanship. Jimmy broke the rigid military mould with a style all his own. His trademark “dipsy doodle” and his shoutout in April in Paris with the Archer Epler Musketeers became legendary throughout the activity. As his “you better bleed on the finish line” did with the Optimists.
Jimmy began with St. Vincent’s Cadets in 1950, later marching with St. Joe’s Newark and then Blessed Sacrament, where he and Bobby Paul led the corps to both the CYO and VFW National Championships in 1958. He spent the next three seasons with Archer Epler before moving to Toronto in late 1961 at the request of Canada’s Marching Ambassadors, appearing with them at the 1961 Canadian Nationals.
In January 1962, Jimmy joined the Toronto Optimists. His presence, flair, and self‑designed uniforms—always featuring his trademark oversized belt buckle—helped elevate the corps to an almost perfect competitive year, losing only once by half a point to the Garfield Cadets. He led the Optimists to a landmark victory over Blessed Sacrament at Rome, New York, and captured Canadian National titles in both 1962 and 1963. Combined with his U.S. championships in 1958, Jimmy is the only performer ever to win national titles on both sides of the border.
Within the drum corps world, his name needed no introduction. “McConkey” meant showmanship, innovation, and unforgettable presence. Every Optimist who marched with him knew this, as did the fans who flocked to see him.
Jimmy passed away on June 23, 2017, near Syracuse, at age 79. Though never inducted into the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame, he remains one of the most distinctive and influential drum majors ever to take the field—a true original and a major contributor to our legacy as Toronto Optimists.
Jimmy . . . . . . . . . . . . . We Remember!
Here is a link to Doug MacKenzie's memories of Jimmy, Part 1
