• November 6, 1854 - March 6, 1932
• John Philip Sousa was born in Washington, D.C. He was the third of 10 children of João António de Sousa, who was of Portuguese and Spanish ancestry and his German wife Maria Elisabeth Trinkhaus. His father was a trombonist by profession who played with the Marine Band.
• When he was 13, Sousa was offered a job as a musician in a circus. His father, disapproving of the plan, arranged for him instead to be apprenticed to the Marine Band, the official band of the president of the United States.
• Appointed leader of the Marine Band in 1880, Sousa's Band, as it was called, achieved great popularity during its many tours of the United States and Europe.
• A perfectionist, Sousa took pride in conducting his band in full military uniform.
• Among the works Sousa composed during his 12 years as director of the United States Marine Band were "Semper Fidelis" (1888), "The Washington Post" (1889) and "South Africa March" (1889). Altogether he composed about 140 military marches, earning him the title "March King."
• When Sousa left the Marine Band in 1892 to form his own orchestra, the news merited a front-page story in the New York Times.
• Between 1879 and 1915 Sousa composed 11 comic operas, of which "El Capitan" and "The Bride-Elect" are the best known. Sousa also wrote two symphonic poems and invented the sousaphone, a large bass tuba with circular coiling and an upright bell.
• In addition to his music Sousa wrote three novels and an autobiography, Marching Along, published in 1928. (Source of all above The Encyclopedia of Trivia.)

Comments

More Songfacts:

Tubular Bells (Part 1)Mike Oldfield

The Exorcist theme music is a portion of "Tubular Bells," a 25-minute song released by 19-year-old Mike Oldfield.

Radio Free EuropeR.E.M.

Michael Stipe hadn't finished the lyrics when R.E.M. recorded "Radio Free Europe." He calls the vocal "complete babbling."

99 ProblemsJay-Z

Jay-Z's version of "99 Problems" is a cover of a 1993 song by Ice-T with the lyrics changed to be about Jay's rise to fame.

Blowin' In The WindBob Dylan

Thanks to a Newsweek article, there was a long-standing rumor that Bob Dylan stole the song "Blowin' In The Wind."

Jet City WomanQueensrÿche

The setting for the Queensrÿche song "Jet City Woman" is Seattle, the "jet city."

Come Out And PlayThe Offspring

The line, "Gotta keep 'em separated" in "Come Out And Play" by The Offspring came to lead singer Dexter Holland when he was a medical student and needed to keep bacteria samples away from each other.

Editor's Picks

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"They're Playing My Song

"How much does it cost? I'll buy it?" Another songwriter told Jonathan to change these lyrics. Good thing he ignored this advice.

Grammar In LyricsMusic Quiz

Lyrics don't always follow the rules of grammar. Can you spot the ones that don't?

Top American Idol Moments: Songs And ScandalsSong Writing

Surprise exits, a catfight and some very memorable performances make our list of the most memorable Idol moments.

Graham ParkerSongwriter Interviews

When Judd Apatow needed under-appreciated rockers for his Knocked Up sequel, he immediately thought of Parker, who just happened to be getting his band The Rumour back together.

Mark Arm of MudhoneySongwriter Interviews

When he was asked to write a song for the Singles soundtrack, Mark thought the Seattle grunge scene was already overblown, so that's what he wrote about.

Matt SorumSongwriter Interviews

When he joined Guns N' Roses in 1990, Matt helped them craft an orchestral sound; his mezzo fortes and pianissimos are all over "November Rain."