Eagles Cut Ties with Eagles Pep Band After 28 Years
After almost 30 years, the Philadelphia Eagles have ended their relationship with the Eagles Pep Band – the group best known for playing the fan-favorite “Fly, Eagles Fly” fight song.
The team wants to freshen up their gameday vibe but hasn’t said what’s coming next. This ends a musical journey that started back in ’96.
“I think they should keep them. They do a good service,” said Jerry Scena to CBS News Philadelphia.
“Our run with the Birds was glorious and we are walking away smiling,” said Bobby Mansure to NBC Philadelphia.
Eagles Pep Band
The main band members included Mansure on tenor sax, Brian Saunders playing lead saxophone, Anthony DiMeo on guitar and banjo, while Bruce Mulford handled the upright bass. Mansure and Saunders created the current “Fly Eagles Fly” version at Saxtrax Production Studios in 1995.
Through their “Learn Your Fight Song” campaign in 1997, the band turned their signature song into a gameday tradition. The effort made the tune a must-sing moment at every home game.
Some of their biggest highlights: performing at Super Bowl LII in 2018, leading the victory parade after the big win, plus playing at more than 500 Eagles fan weddings.
On social media, angry fans connected the band’s departure to increasing ticket prices. Many wondered why a team charging so much couldn’t keep this tradition going. What’s next for gameday music isn’t known yet.
When Mansure brought this new idea to the NFL in 1996, he kicked off something special that stuck around for generations. The last performance wrapped up an amazing chapter in Eagles history.