The McDonald's All-American Marching Band was a marching band created by Ray Kroc, founder of McDonald’s Restaurants, to honor two of the best high school musicians in each state, along with U.S. Territories Puerto Rico and The Virgin Islands. The band became a perennial favorite in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for 23 years and appeared in the Tournament of Roses Parade (1969-1979, 1981-86, 1988-89), The Fiesta Bowl Parade (1982-83 and 1989), the Chicago Christmas Parade (1986-87), Carnegie Hall (1967-1992) with Lionel Hampton (1978-79) and Maynard Ferguson (1980), Chicago Orchestra Hall Concert (1977), and Avery Fisher Hall (1977). Other honors include an appearance on The Tonight Show (1977), recording with Doc Severinsen (1974-1975), and numerous features on The Today Show and The Jerry Lewis Telethon.
History with the Macy's Parade[]
The All-American Marching Band made its debut in the 41st Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1967 and they would keep on performing for 23 years until 1989.